NODM weekend sets 5k, 10k, marathon and half-marathon races

By Michael Dashiell • May 29, 2024 1:30 am
Sequim Gazette file photo by Michel Dashiell / Runners break from the starting line of the North Olympic Discovery Marathon in June 2023. This year's event is slated for June 2.

Be it a 5k or a full marathon, a solo adventure or a relay effort, hundreds of local and out-of-town runners and walkers look to go the distance during the 2024 North Olympic Discovery Marathon’s weekend of races set for June 1 and June 2.

Last year’s events saw more than 1,450 competitors, along with 26 relays teams, crossing finishing lines in the combined races (not counting the Kids Marathon), with nearly half — 689 — opting for the half marathon.

The festivities kick off with the Olympic Medical Center 5k and 10k and the separate Kids Marathon on Saturday, June 1.

Starting at 11 a.m., the OMC 5k/10k begins and ends at the Port Angeles City Pier on an out-and-back course along the Olympic Discovery Trail. The event is chip-timed and all athletes receive a race shirt.

Registration is $45 and remains open through June 1 at runsignup.com/Race/WA/PortAngeles/LowerElwhaBridge5K10K (note: OMC employees receive a discount entry; email to nodm@nodm.com for coupon code.)

Bib pickup for the OMC 5k/10k is set for 4-7 p.m. Friday, May 31, at the Red Lion Hotel, 221 N. Lincoln St., and starting at 9:30 a.m. at the race’s starting line.

Open to children of ages 1-14, the Kids Marathon is set for 3 p.m. on the Port Angeles City Pier. Using the Kids Marathon Mileage Log (see nodm.com/kids-marathon), youngsters track 25 miles for the weeks leading up to Marathon weekend, setting weekly goals, recording miles and earning rewards. On race day, the marathon course will be theirs as they finish the final 1.2 miles at City Pier under the same finish line as the marathon.

Registration for the Kids Marathon is $15 and is available at runsignup.com/Race/Register/?raceId=80382&eventId=758688.

Bib pickup for the Kids Marathon is 4-7 p.m. Friday, May 31, at the Red Lion Hotel, 221 N. Lincoln St., and starting at 1:30 p.m. in the white tent near the race’s start line.

Sunday’s races

On June 2, hundreds of runners and walkers hit the Olympic Discovery Trail for either half or full marathon races, with some competing as two- to five-person relays in the full 26.2-mile marathon.

The full marathon begins at 6 a.m. for walkers, 7:30 a.m. for runners, starting at 7 Cedars Resort, 270756 U.S. Highway 101, in Blyn.

This rails-to-trails course is a wide, hard surface (99% paved) Olympic Discovery Trail, marked at every mile with water stations located about every two miles. Participants follow the trail west into Sequim and smaller communities before finishing on a five-mile stretch along the waterfront into Port Angeles.

For relay teams, four official exchange zone locations have been dedicated on the course map (see nodm.com).

The half marathon has an 8:30 a.m. start at the Agnew soccer fields, 1240 N. Barr Road, between Sequim and Port Angeles.

Races finish at City Pier in downtown Port Angeles where festivities include music, food, massages and an area for relaxing on the beach.

Registration remains open for the June 2 races; cost is $110 for the full marathon run and walk, $90 for the half marathon, and $350 for relay teams. Register at runsignup.com/Race/WA/PortAngeles/NorthOlympicDiscoveryMarathon.

Bib pickup for the full and half marathon races is 4-7 p.m. Friday, May 31, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at the Red Lion Hotel, 221 N. Lincoln St., and at the race starting lines.

See nodm.com for more information.