Saturday MAY 10th, 2025
Escape to San Juan Island
Run where the sea meets the sky–at San Juan Island. The course is stunning, and the island is a wonderful place to spend a weekend. Bring your family, run the race, and then stay to explore the island and make memories together.
W̱SÁNEĆ
Coast Salish
ʔéʔɬx̣ʷaʔ nəxʷsƛ̕áy̕əm̕ Klallam
Samish
Tulalip
registration prices
Half Marathon
October: $98
November-December: $103
January-March: $113
April-May: $123
Race day: $133
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’. Bibs will only be available for pickup on race morning.
Youth Discounts
Participants under 22 automatically receive a discount of 15% on registration fees.
race info
The course
The course for the San Juan Island Half is unique and is easily the most scenic Orca Running race.
It starts at South Beach inside San Juan Island National Historic Park and finishes at Jackson Beach, just south of Friday Harbor. Along the way you’ll get some amazing view of the other islands, the Olympic Mountains, and of course, the Salish Sea.
Click here for the location of the start line and here for the location of the finish line area.
It has a bit of climbing spread throughout the run, with three main climbs, from miles o to 1.6, 3 to 5.3, and 9 to 10.8. The total elevation gain is about 900′.
Participants will pass aid stations every 2-3 miles well stocked with water, Tailwind Electrolytes and GU gels. All of Orca Running’s races are cupless so please bring your own handheld bottle or hydration pack.
Shuttles
On race morning, free shuttles will run continuously from the San Juan County Courthouse to the start line area. Shuttles will start running at 7:15am, with the last shuttles leaving at 8:25am. The shuttle ride time varies from 15-18 minutes.
The same shuttles will be available to take you back to your cars/downtown Friday Harbor starting at 10:15am, until 1:15pm.
Note: if you are taking the Anacortes or Orca Island ferry over in the morning, we recommend that you walk to the high school/courthouse pickup location. The last shuttle will wait until the boat has fully unloaded and has allowed 10 minutes for people to walk to the courthouse.
If you are coming over to the island the morning of the race you will need to take the 4:15am or 6:20am ferry in order to make it to the race on time. We highly recommend getting reservations as soon as they come available!
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
IMPORTANT: Participants are not allowed to park at the start line, however participants may be dropped off at the top of the hill above the start line area. There is no parking, so quick drop off only. Or, participants can ride the free shuttles from downtown Friday Harbor to the start line.
Start line drop off location:
SJI Participant Drop-off Location
Shuttle pick-up location:
San Juan County District Courthouse and downtown Friday Harbor
Lodging
There are many, many styles of accommodations to choose from on San Juan Island, from camping to some very luxurious vacation homes.
We’d recommend checkout the ‘Lodging‘ page of visitsanjuans.com as a good overall look at options on the island. Be sure to also check out VRBO.com and AirBnb.com if you’ve got a larger group looking to stay at one place.
Lastly, if you’d prefer to stay in Anacortes the night before and catch an early morning ferry, that’s also an option. The race starts at 8:30am. The direct ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor is 65 minutes, so as long as you catch a ferry leaving around 6:30am, you’ll have plenty of time to still make it to the race on time.
gear check
Free gear check is included with your entry. Participants can drop off gear check bags at the start line area at South Beach. Gear check bags are not included, so be sure to bring a suitable bag or sack to use for gear check. You can pick up your gear check bags at the finish line at Jackson Beach.
Charity Partners
The Whale Museum, Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor and Island Haven Animal Sanctuary are the charity partners for the San Juan Island Half. The Whale Museum’s mission is to promote stewardship of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research. This amazing charity has taken a big hit during the pandemic. Stop by for a visit when you’re on the island!
Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor is the local club of a world-wide service organization whose mission is improving the lives of women and girls. In Friday Harbor, they raise and donate over $40,000 and thousands of volunteer hours each year to community projects.
Packet Pickup
Save some time on race morning and pick up your bib and shirt at packet pick-up!
Date: Friday, May 9th
Time: 4:00pm-6:30pm
Location: Van Go’s Pizza, 180 Web Street, Friday Harbor, 98250
Please do not go to Van Go’s before 4:00pm as they will not have the race bibs and shirts.
All race bibs will also be available for pickup on race morning, please consult the schedule below for times.
Kids’ Race
We have a fun kid’s race! The kid’s race will start at 10:40am and will start and finish at the race finish line. The kid’s race course is approximately 0.4 mile long. Kid’s receive a finishers medal.
race day schedule
7:15am: Shuttles begin running from parking locations to start line
7:30am: Packet pick-up at the start line opens
8:45am: Race starts
10:15am (approximate): First finisher
10:40am: Kid’s Race at Jackson Beach
1:00pm: Course cutoff
1:15pm: Last shuttle leaves
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 the race to get your race packet & swag.
Q: Are walkers welcome?
A: Absolutely yes!
Q: Are dogs welcome?
A: Dogs are not allowed. The liability insurance for the race through USA Track and Field does not cover dogs, so please leave your four-legged companions at home for this one.
Q: Are strollers welcome?
A: Stroller use is not permitted at this race.
Q: What time does the course close?
A: The course closes at 1:00pm.
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. There will be porta-potties out on the course at several areas.
Q: When does online registration close?
A: Online registration will close at 11:59pm 2 days before the race.
Q: What/who does this race benefit?
A: Every Orca Running event pairs with a non-profit. The non-profit receives a portion of every entry fee, and in turn, provides the race with volunteers. You can also donate to any of the three non-profit’s during the registration process. This year’s non-profits are:
Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor
Read more about our work with non-profits here.
Q: Can I sign up in person at packet pickup or on race day?
A: No, the race is sold out.
Q: Is there gear check?
A: Yes! Free gear check is available at the San Juan Island Half. 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. Drop bags will be available to pick up at the race finish.
