Presented by
FEBRUARY 9, 2025
about My Better Half Marathon
Like peanut butter and jelly, cookies and milk, wine and cheese, Netflix and your couch, we are better together! The race features three distances (5K, 10K and half marathon) and a half marathon relay so everyone can find a distance that suits them. As our first race of the year, we like to make this one a little more fun, with an extensive and delicious post-race food selection, a large heated tent, nice race shirts. Walkers are welcome.
registration prices
Online registration closes on February 10th
5K
October: $48
November-December: $53
January: $58
February: $63
Race day: $73
10K
October: $48
November-December: $53
January: $58
February: $63
Race day: $73
Half
October: $80
November-December: $85
January: $90
February: $95
Race day: $105
Half Marathon Relay (per person)
October: $57
November-December: $62
January: $67
February: $72
Race day: $82
Important
Please note that all registrations are non-refundable. Be sure to review our race policies.
Prices do not include processing fees. Online pre-registration closes the day before the race at 8:00pm.
If you’re planning on doing multiple Orca Running races in a year, consider using our Bundle and Save!
Please note the new information on bib pickup below under ‘Packet Pickup’.
Youth Discounts
Participants under 22 automatically receive a discount of 15% on registration fees.
race info
The course
All courses run along the beautiful shores of Lake Washington for almost the entirety of their distances.
Half Marathon: New for 2023 the half marathon course is a total of 2 laps. The first lap has a steep but quick hill early on and is 6.9 miles in length. The second lap is 6.2 miles long and is nice and flat!
10K: The 10K course is a total of 2 laps. The first lap has some hills in the beginning and is 3.7 miles long whereas the second lap is nice and flat and is 2.5 miles in length!
5K: The 5k course is 3.1 miles long. A steep but quick hill in the beginning is a great warm-up but once you come back down it’s a breeze!
Half Marathon Relay: The relay course can be completed in any way you prefer, as long as both laps are completed. Lap one is 6.9 miles long and has a quick but steep hill in the beginning, Lap two is 6.2 miles long and is nice and flat! It doesn’t matter who completes which lap. There is a relay hand off area just before the finish line (in the park gazebo) where you make the exchange from one runner to the other.
Aid Stations are located every 2-3 miles and are stocked with Clif and GU gels and Tailwind Endurance Fuel.
cupless racing
Orca Running is committed to reducing waste and protecting the environment. As part of this commitment, we are making all events cupless. The tiny little cups that are used for an instant generate tremendous amounts of garbage. We recommend you purchase a handheld bottle, a hydration pack, or we can provide you with a small re-useable cup that folds easily into your waistband to use during the entire race and future races.
Awards
Overall awards will be given to the top 3 male, female, and non-binary runners based off of gun time not chip time. So, you should start in the front of the pack. We also give out age group awards in 5 year increments, so be sure to check your results at the Orca Running tent. We DO NOT MAIL OUT AWARDS after the race, they must be picked up at the race.
PARKING
Carpooling is highly recommended. There are about 200 parking spots in the Upper Loop of Seward Park, as well as ample parallel parking. You may need to walk a little ways to the start which is located at on the South side of the park so please plan ahead. There is also plenty of on-street parking around Seward Park all within walking distance.
Accommodations
Seattle is a huge city! There are TONS of accommodations, including hotels, AirBnBs, B&Bs, and everything in-between.
Policies
We have a clear set of policies that we uniformly follow for all races. Entries are not refundable, but you can defer your entry, transfer it to another race, or transfer it to another participant. You can review our full set of policies here.
gear check
Free gear check is available at My Better Half Marathon. In an effort to reduce waste, we will not be providing drop bags, so PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN BAG. We will have identification tags for you to use.
Charity Partner
Our charity partner for My Better Half Marathon is Rebuilding Together Seattle! The dollars donated go to help rebuild homes, repair lives and revitalize communities. Say hi to the amazing and friendly volunteers that support the race every year!
Packet Pickup
To pick up your race packet, you have three options:
- Opt to have your race bib mailed to you. This costs $3.50 and can be selected during the registration process.
- Pick up your bib on race morning. Please consult the schedule below for times and plan on long lines.
- Come to packet pick-up! It’ll save you time on race morning.
Packet pick-up:
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Race Day schedule
7:00am: Participant arrival, packet pick-up opens
8:00am: Half Marathon start
8:05am: 10K Start
8:10am: 5K Start
12:00pm: Course closed
Sponsors
FAQs
Q: How can I confirm that I am signed up?
The best thing to check first is to look in your email inbox for a confirmation email from RunSignUp for the race in question. You can also look up your registration in your RunSignUp account by logging into your account then go to your “Profile” page where you can view your current registrations under Upcoming Events. Click HERE for more information on accessing a registration in RunSignUp.
Q: How can I confirm what shirt size I ordered?
A: Your t-shirt size that you selected appears on your confirmation email. If you did not receive your confirmation email, try checking your spam folder.
Q: I cannot participate! What are my options?
A: Please check out our refund/transfer policy by clicking here.
Q: I cannot participate, but I would still like to pick up my swag. Can I pick it up?
A: Yes. You can send a friend or family member to packet pickup to get your race packet & swag.
Q: Are walkers welcome?
A: Absolutely yes!
Q: Are dogs welcome?
A: No, dogs are not allowed to participate. They are welcome at the start and finish line areas, however.
Q: Are strollers welcome?
A: Strollers are allowed for the 5K and 10K distances, but not the half marathon. This is because part of the half marathon course is on a very narrow sidewalk.
Q: What time does the course close?
A: The course closes at 12:00pm.
Q: Will there be porta-potties at the start/finish? What about out on the course?
A: There will be porta-potties available at the start line and finish line area and at the half marathon turnaround.
Q: When does online registration close?
A: Online registration will close at 11:59pm on February 11th, 2023.
Q: What/who does this race benefit?
A: My Better Half Marathon is proud to support Rebuilding Together Seattle! A portion of every entry fee will go to support Rebuilding, plus you can also make an additional (optional) donation during the registration process.
The mission of Rebuilding Together Seattle is to repair homes, revitalize communities and rebuild lives.
Q: Can someone else pick up my packet?
A: Yes! You do not need anything special to have someone else pick up your packet. Just be sure to coordinate!
Q: Can I sign up in person at packet pickup or on race day?
A: If the race is not sold out, yes you can register in-person. You can pay with cash (exact change only), check, or credit card.
Q: Is there gear check?
A: Yes! Free gear check is available. In an effort to reduce waste, we will not be providing drop bags, so PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN BAG. We will have identification tags for you to use.
