Cougar Mountain Half Marathon
Bellevue, WA
Official Website : http://www.seattlerunningcompany.com/Events/Cougar/cougarmtn1.html
Date : August 8, 2009
Race Type : Running
Race Distance : Half Marathon 13.1 mi
Race Description: Part of a summer-long series of running events designed to raise funds for the Bellevue area's Kings County Parks system, the Vasque Cougar Mountain Trail Running Series consists of a 5-mile, 7.5-mile, 10-mile and 13-mile races, with one event per month starting in May and winding up in August. The half marathon portion of the series takes place in August, starting at the Sky Country Trailhead in the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, located just to the south of Bellevue.
The course for the half is a loop course through 13 miles of the park, with numerous hills and sometimes steep changes in elevation, along with challenging terrain. Runners are urged to remain on the designated trails throughout the entire race, as the historical mining areas scattered throughout the park can present safety hazards if you stray off the trails
1 Reviews for Cougar Mountain Half Marathon
The Seattle Running Company annually sponsors a series of races on Cougar Mountain (Bellevue area of Western Washington). The races start in May and cover distances of 5, 7.5, 10 and 13.1 miles. While there are no frills, the Seattle Running Company does a great job organizing things, clearly marking the course and really making the day a celebration of running.
The half marathon is a true trail run, starting at an elevation of about 1,200 feet, climbing as high as 1,600 feet and dropping down as low as 650 feet. LOTS of ups and down, switchbacks, roots, rocks, stumps, fallen tree and cool wooden bridges. The scenery is great! As you run, you really lose sense of time and distance and really live in the moment.
But be prepared! The race is not for the fainthearted - only 11 of 169 runners broke 2:00. Congratulations to Uli Steidl, who somehow blew through the course in a record 1:34 and to Jeanine Stewart, the first female finisher (2:03). And congratulations to Jolene Gailey and Sherry Weed, who never gave up!!