This race has some history for me- it was the first half marathon I ever ran and it was brutal. Flash forward a few years and it's still a brutal course.

The expo this year wasn't too bad, we go there early enough so the lines for bibs was non-existent. The only bummer is you still weave your way through all the vendors to get your shirt and goody bag. This year's shirt was a way better color (red) than in years past.

Getting to the race isn't so bad for me, I just walk down the hill. When we got there, there was little signage and we got a bit confused to find gear check. It was in the same place, in the concourse of Memorial Stadium, so we trudged up the stairs and dropped off the bags.

Overall the starting sequence and the first few miles aren't too bad. It's a bit crowded going down 5th and UO the Dearborn ramp but once the hills start it thins out. The first 7ish miles of this course are pretty solid. They are hilly but not as bad as the last 6.

(FYI if you do choose to run any major marathon or half in Seattle you will get a lovely tour of all the homelessness in Seattle. The city is trying to fix it, but keep it in mind.)

I was running just fine for the first 7 miles; I didn't feel too tired but I was getting cold. The rain and dampness wasn't helping. After a water stop at mile 7.25 the hills start. Galer street is a bit better than the old Lee street segment but it's rough. I had to walk it along with everyone around me. Once that was over the Madison hill starts. It's a consistent gradual incline that kicks my city every time. I was lucky enough to have a group of my running teammates cowbelling halfway up so that helped me immensely.

After the short downhill comes the hard part- Interlaken. The hills that keep on giving. This is my least favorite part of the race but I managed to get through it. The last mile is downhill and goes on an overpass then through South Lake Union. There was a group of people giving out beer at the 13 mile mark this year which was great!

The last .1 is up the mercer hill and then into the stadium. I haven't been that happy to finish a race in a long time. My boyfriend was there and took some finish photos which was a plus.

After finishing in a decent time, slow for Seattle Marathon standards. (Most people who run this race are fast since the field is 'hard core' runners due to weather and timing.) I got my finishers medal, it's alright, a spade blanket and proceeded to walk up the stairs to get my gear check bag.

Overall I had a pretty good time, the weather got nicer as the race went on and there was much more course support than in years past. I recommend this race for anyone who lives in the Seattle area, doesn't travel for Thanksgiving, and wants to run a late Fall half.