Whidbey Island Marathon
When is Whidbey Island Marathon?
Whidbey Island Marathon takes place on Sunday, April 26, 2026 in Oak Harbor, WA.
What distances does Whidbey Island Marathon offer?
Whidbey Island Marathon offers 14 events: 1K Kids Run, Virtual 1K, Virtual 5K, 5K Run/Walk, 10K Run/Walk, Virtual 10K, Half Marathon Run/Walk, Virtual Half Marathon, Marathon Run, Virtual Marathon, Active Military - Marathon, Active Military - Half Marathon, Active Military - 10 K Run/Walk, Active Military - 5K Run/Walk.
| Event | Distance | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1K Kids Run | 1.0 km | $20.00 | Register |
| Virtual 1K | 1.0 km | $20.00 | Register |
| Virtual 5K | 5.0 km | $35.00 | Register |
| 5K Run/Walk | 5.0 km | $30.00 | Register |
| 10K Run/Walk | 10.0 km | $40.00 | Register |
| Virtual 10K | 10.0 km | $35.00 | Register |
| Half Marathon Run/Walk | 13.1 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| Virtual Half Marathon | 13.1 mi | $40.00 | Register |
| Marathon Run | 26.2 mi | $95.00 | Register |
| Virtual Marathon | 26.2 mi | $40.00 | Register |
| Active Military - Marathon | — | $80.00 | Register |
| Active Military - Half Marathon | — | $70.00 | Register |
| Active Military - 10 K Run/Walk | — | $35.00 | Register |
| Active Military - 5K Run/Walk | — | $30.00 | Register |
How much does Whidbey Island Marathon cost?
Registration for Whidbey Island Marathon starts at $100.00. Prices vary by event distance.
Where is Whidbey Island Marathon held?
Whidbey Island Marathon is held in Oak Harbor, WA at 1600 SW Beeksma Dr.
About Whidbey Island Marathon
The Whidbey Island Marathon- Race for the Stay, Play for the Weekend!
This scenic, Washington coast destination race takes place April 26, 2026 in Oak Harbor and features a full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K and Kids 1K. The point-to-point marathon is the only race that closes the famed Deception Pass Bridge. All other races start/finish on the Oak Harbor Waterfront. With wonderful support throughout at the race and a fun, festive postrace atmosphere, this is a must do destination race for all runners!
Event Schedule & Information
Event Time Location
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Late Registration 12:00pm-6:00pm Windjammer Park Interpretive Center
Packet Pickup 12:00pm-6:00pm Windjammer Park Interpretive Center
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Full Marathon Run 7:00am Start Line - Bowman Bay Boat Launch*
Half Marathon Run/Walk 8:30am Windjammer Park
10K Run/Walk 9:00am Windjammer Park
5K Run/Walk 9:00am Windjammer Park
1K Kids Run 10:00am Windjammer Park
Finish Line Celebration 10:00am Windjammer Park
*Full Marathon is a point-to-point race starting at Bowman Bay Boat Launch and finishing at Windjammer Park.
Event registration is conditional on receiving Special Use Permit from WA State Parks.
Participant & Race Reg Management FAQs
We know that plans can change after you've registered for a race. Because of that, we want to provide you with all the options on what to do with your 2024 Whidbey Island Marathon race entry. If you need to edit your registration, defer to next year's event, transfer to a friend... or another option - we've got you covered!
Please check out the options below to help make those switches easy and quick, all on your own!
How Do I "Claim" My Race Entry? Recently, we switched our registration system from EnMotive to RunSignUp. Anyone who registered via EnMotive prior to this switch will need to "claim" their race entry to make any sort of changes. Nothing to worry about, you ARE registered... RunSignUp just needs you to verify you're you before switching things. Here's how to claim your entry:
Step 1 - Click "Find A Participant" at the top of this page
Step 2 - Enter your first and last name
Step 3 - Click the small icon "Is This You" next to the participant name
Step 4 - Go to your email, from here you'll follow the prompts to merge your registration with your name
Am I Registered? - You can look up if you're registered for the race HERE
Pro Tip... you can use the "find a participant" link to then get to your "manage registration" link. Once you find your entry, click the "More Details" blue link. From there, this will take you right to your manage registration page. From there, you can make any edits needed.
*If the above answer is yes - great news! You can now update/edit your registration with the following options:
After you've logged into your profile - You'll see a list of ALL races you're currently registered for. From here - click "manage registration" next to Whidbey Island Marathon. From here - you'll see multiple tabs to help update/change anything needed, including:
"MY REGISTRATION" - Once clicking on that tab, you'll have the option to defer your registration
"TRANSFER EVENT" - From this tab (next to the my registration tab" you'll be able to switch events from one to another (example from the 1/2 Marathon to the 10K), change to the virtual event or other options
"TRANSFER TO SOMEONE ELSE" - From here, you can transfer your race registration to another person that will take your place
Event transfers, transferring to another person and race deferrals will only be allowed through 4/19. After this, transfers will not be allowed.
Need a Bit More Support? Visit the RunSignUp support page for all the edits you can do HERE
Whidbey Island Marathon + Bellingham Bay Marathon - 10% Race Discounts
New This Year! Register for both Bellingham Bay Marathon and Whidbey Island Marathon, save 10% off both registration fees.
During your registration process, select the "bundle" option, choose your race distances and save.
Training for the Bellingham Bay 1/2 Marathon but need a training run? Whidbey Island Marathon's 10K is perfect! Sign up for both, save 10% when you register.
Have 2 marathon runs in you... join us for both - Save 10%!
10Ks are your distance? Do both races - Save 10%! Mix and match any distances during registration and you'll save 10% off both races instantly.
This northwest race package is the perfect way to participate in two of the most scenic races around the sound. With mountain views and oceanside running, these are the perfect compliment to all runners, walkers and adventure seekers to add to their 2026 race calendars.
Event Schedule
Event Schedule & Information
Event Time Location
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Late Registration 12:00pm-6:00pm Windjammer Park Interpretive Center
Packet Pickup 12:00pm-6:00pm Windjammer Park Interpretive Center
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Full Marathon Run 7:00am Start Line - Bowman Bay Boat Launch*
Half Marathon Run/Walk 8:30am Windjammer Park
10K Run/Walk 9:00am Windjammer Park
5K Run/Walk 9:00am Windjammer Park
1K Kids Run 10:00am Windjammer Park
Finish Line Celebration 10:00am Windjammer Park
*Full Marathon is a point-to-point race starting at Bowman Bay Boat Launch and finishing at Windjammer Park.
Course Information & Route Maps
THIS IS NOT A CLOSED COURSE, PLEASE BE AWARE. The courses will be coned, flagged, and marked for your protection. We will have course monitors, certified flaggers, and police stationed throughout the course, but please be aware of all traffic. We will have motorcycles as well as HAM Radio Operators monitoring the course and basic first aid needs available at all water stations. Water stations will be located approximately every 2 miles along the course. There will also be electrolyte replacement drinks at every other water station as well as energy gels on the full marathon throughout the course. All participants will be chip-timed.
FULL MARATHON DESCRIPTION – The Whidbey Island Marathon will start at Bowman Bay Boat Launch, north of the Deception Pass Bridge. Marathoners will wind their way south from Bowman Bay and Pass Lake, across the Deception Pass Bridge. The Whidbey Island Marathon will once again be the only race that closes the bridge for runners! Once clear of the bridge, runners will wind through tranquil farmland meandering towards Oak Harbor. In 2025, marathoners will run a loop through the Silver Lake area before passing by the US Navy Seaplane Base and entering the City of Oak Harbor. From here, the race features a downhill run towards the finish line. Runners will cruise along the waterfront as they enter Windjammer Park, running along the promenade before reaching the finish line!
Reminder – All marathon participants need to be clear of Highway 20 by 7:45 AM. From the start of the marathon, through Deception Pass and off Hwy 20 is 2.5 miles. All participants will need to cover this distance in the 45 minutes allotted by the race and WSDOT. Any participants not clear will be picked up and advanced off Hwy 20.
Pacers will be provided for the full marathon in the following time increments: 3:30, 3:45, 4:00, 4:10, 4:20, 4:30, 4:45, 5:00
HALF MARATHON DESCRIPTION – The half marathon will start and finish along the water at Windjammer Park. After leaving the park, participants will wind their way through Oak Harbor’s historic downtown area and along the waterfront before running west through the Marsh Trail to Scenic Heights. At this point, runners will complete an out/back through Scenic Heights and Penn Cove (this section is very similar to years past). After exiting Scenic Heights, heading towards the finish line, runners will complete their half marathon experience along the Windjammer Park Promenade before finishing in the newly remodeled park to cheering spectators and live music!
Pacers will be provided for the half marathon in the following time increments: 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:15, 2:20, 2:30
HALF MARATHON COURSE MAP (PDF)
10K & 5K RUN/WALK DESCRIPTION – The 10K and 5K routes will once again follow the half marathon course, starting and finishing at the newly remodeled Windjammer Park. Once exiting, they too will wind through Oak Harbor’s historic downtown area and along the waterfront. They will also run west through the Marsh Trail to the Scenic Heights neighborhood. Shortly after, the 5K course will turn around, heading towards the finish line as the 10K continues along the half marathon path. After the 10K turnaround, both races will join together again, heading towards the finish line back through the Marsh Trail and on the Windjammer Park Promenade before finishing at the newly remodeled Windjammer Park on the Oak Harbor Waterfront!
10K & 5K RUN/WALK COURSE (PDF)
WATER / AID STATIONS
Water Stations will be located approximately every two miles along the full and half marathon courses. Electrolyte replacement drinks will be at every other station and energy gels at various stations. There will be basic medical supplies at each station including, but not limited to bandages, antiseptic creams, Vaseline for chaffing, and heat blankets. Portable restrooms will be located at each water station.
RACE / COURSE TIME LIMITS
The full marathon has a 6-hour course time limit and the half marathon has a 4:30 time limit. If you are unable to make certain checkpoints by the time needed to meet the six-hour limit, we will pick you up and move you forward to the next checkpoint then average your current pace time accordingly to add to your overall finish time. Please allow us to do this as we have to meet road closure opening times dictated by the city, county, and state jurisdictions.
Shuttles & Parking
All full marathon participants are encouraged to use our free shuttle service to the start of the marathon. There is NO parking at Bowman Bay during the race, nor will there be return service to the start line.
Shuttle Option 1) All participants will have the option to park near the finish line at Windjammer Park. From there, participants will be able to catch marathon start shuttles at the parking area within Windjammer Park off Beeksma Ave (West side of Windjammer Park, Parking Lot).
Shuttle Option 2) If you are an out-of-town guest staying in Oak Harbor at The Auld Holland Inn, The Coachman Inn, Best Western Plus, or Candlewood Suites, our shuttles will pick you up from your hotel and bring you to the marathon start line as well as return you to your hotel after your race is completed.
Shuttle Pickup Times:
Marathon Departure Time/Location (Please plan on 25 minutes to arrive at the marathon start line)
From Area Hotels (Coachman Inn, Best Western & Candlewood Suites, Auld Holland Inn) 5:40 am or 6:20 am
From Windjammer Park Parking Lot (Finish Line): 5:45 am, 5:55 am, 6:00 am, 6:05 am, 6:10 am, 6:15 am, 6:20 am
*Shuttles will pickup/drop off at the west parking lot of Windjammer Park at SW Beeksma Dr. / SW Bayshore Dr. for all races near the basketball courts.
Half Marathon – Shuttles will run continuous loops from the same hotels starting at 7:10 am with the last shuttle at 8:00 am for the half marathon start line
Return Shuttles – Shuttles will run from the event finish line to area hotels continuously throughout the day until 1:00 pm
Parking:
There will be ample street parking available at the west side of Windjammer Park off Beeksma Avenue and street parking near Windjammer Park. Paved parking will be available in the Haggen Grocery Store parking lot. Please park in designated areas only and be mindful of parking/no parking signs.
*If you are an out-of-town guest staying at one of the area hotels (Coachman Inn, Best Western Plus, Candlewood Suites, or Auld Holland Inn), you will have the option to take a shuttle from your hotel to the start/finish line. After your race, shuttles will return you to your hotel.
See above for shuttle departure times from various locations.
The Swag!
- Commemorative Participant Top (differs per race)
- Finisher medals for all events
- FREE Downloadable Participants Photos for all
- FREE downloadable Finisher Certificate
- Customized Bib
*Pictures of all swag will be released closer to the event date. 10K/5K participants will receive a short sleeve running top, half marathon participants will receive a long sleeve running top and full marathon participants will receive a premium running top of some type.
FAQs
1. Is there a time limit for the Full Marathon or Half Marathon?
The full mull marathon has a 6-hour course time limit and the half marathon has a 4:30 time limit. If you are unable to make certain checkpoints by the time needed to meet the six-hour limit, we will pick you up and move you forward to the next checkpoint, and average your current pace time accordingly to add to your overall finish time. Please allow us to do this as we have to meet road closure opening times.
2. What timing device will be used?
A disposable chip will be used for official times. Gun start time will be used for prize money. There will be split timing mats throughout the courses.
3. What is the minimum age to participate in the Marathon? Half Marathon?
All athletes in the Full Marathon must be 16 years old or older. If you are younger than 16 and would like to participate in the Full Marathon, please have a parent or guardian contact us with this request.
There is no age limit for the Half Marathon.
4. Will bikes, skates and dogs be allowed?
No, in accordance with USATF rules, these items will not be allowed on any course.
5. Is there a Pace Team?
Yes! We are pleased to announce the Super Pacers based in Tacoma, WA will be pacing both the full marathon and half marathon in 2023
Marathon – 3:30, 3:45, 4:00, 4:10, 4:20, 4:30, 4:45, 5:00
Half Marathon – 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:15, 2:20, 2:30
*Pace times could change and could be reduced based on pacer availability.
6. Where will the bathrooms be located?
Portable toilets will be located at each start line, at every water/aid station approximately 2 miles apart along the course and at the finish line.7. How do I know if I am registered?
7. How do I know if I am registered?
You will receive a confirmation email after you registered. If you didn’t receive that confirmation email or are unsure if you are registered, please shoot us an email to info@fizzeventsnw.com.
8. I can’t participate, what are my options?
Unfortunately, we do not offer a refund after registering to participate in the Whidbey Island Marathon or surrounding events. We will allow participants to change race categories prior to the race, transfer their race entry to a friend* or defer their entry to the following year. If you would like to take advantage of any of these options, please email us at info@fizzeventsnw.com
*If transferring to a friend, please email us with your friend CC’d and will help facilitate the transfer.
9. If I’m registered for the Full Marathon can I switch to the Half, 10k or 5k?
Yes – We are happy to switch you from one event to another. You will be charged the difference if you are going up in distance but there will be no refunds for downgrading from a longer distance to a shorter distance. If you’d like to switch distances, please pick up your bib at the expo and bring it to the help desk where we will make the change.
10. Can I pick up my packet on Race Day?
Yes, all packets will be available up until 15 minutes before the start of your race at your respective start line, AND all shirts will be available at the finish line after your race
11. What is the average temperature on Whidbey Island?
It is usually slightly overcast to sunny on race day with temperatures ranging on average from 51 degrees up to 66 degrees. It is Washington and it is the spring time. It could be colder and it could be windy and/or rainy – Please check the forecast before starting your run and dress accordingly.
12. Lost and Found
Please contact the City of Oak Harbor Special Events Coordinator at specialevents@oakharbor.org or call (360) 279-4504.
13. Do you provide a Clothing/Gear Check?
The clothing check area will be located near the start line of each event. Marathon participant-checked items will be transported from the start line to the finish line. We will not provide bags so please bring your own as long as your bib number is placed on the outside of the bag. Under no circumstances should you place valuables in your bag. Finishers may claim their bag near the finish line. Whidbey Island Marathon officials and volunteers are not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen checked items.