Orca 8 Mile Race

 

The Silver Strider online presents
 

Race Review

The Orca 8 Mile Race

 

x

by Kent Sizer
with photos by Bruce Fisher

September 15, 2024 – West Seattle

I got up early to get ready and be out the door to drive from Maple Valley to Don Armeni boat launch in West Seattle. The website says there is plenty of parking, but over half a mile from the boat launch there are people pulling over to park, and a line of parked cars as far as I can see. Four waves of half marathon runners filled up the parking areas close to the boat ramp. No problem, there is a side street up ahead where there must be plenty of parking. I find parking, but as I walk down the steep hill realize I may be a couple blocks closer, but this hill will be a tough climb after the run.

Packet pickup went fast and I board the shuttle to the start 1 hour before the 8:15 start, right on schedule. The shuttle dropped us off at Lincoln Park and we could see some of the half marathoners from the first wave on the trail past the parking lot.

We walk about a half mile, mostly downhill to the start area, where I see Bruce and Judy. After a couple of photos someone suggested we go see the troll that is one of 5 that artist Thomas Dambo placed in the Seattle area. We have time, so we do. According to an article on the internet, the troll is playing a flute with a song for the Orcas. Wonder if that includes orca runners?

As we line up at the start the race director Porter Bratten told a couple of his customary dad jokes with a whale theme.

The race is started and we head off on a half mile out and back and then continue on the waterfront trail another .75 miles before turning up a serious hill towards the parking lot. A bit weary from the hill we carry on knowing we eventually go downhill to the waterfront. Leaving Lincoln Park we go from trail to sidewalk where we were advised to stay rather than run on the street. Unfortunately, the sidewalk was often narrow and we were catching the half marathoners. Luckily there was almost no traffic and a wide street so we did go to the street a few times. My pace slowed the last couple of miles, but I made it to the finish line and over to the well-stocked refreshment area.

The race was well organized, run in a beautiful wooded area then along the waterfront with great views. It was worth getting up at O Dark Thirty.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

RESULTS IN PHOTOS BY BRUCE FISHER