If you're looking for a fast Washington state marathon for the second weekend of June, here
it is! The Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon on Sunday June 14 at 7:00AM will run on a
scenic, point-to-point, rail-trail course which descends 2050 feet in 26.2 miles from Snoqualmie
Pass to North Bend. The marathon is a Boston Qualifier (USATF Certification Id# WA08031MW)
and potentially a very fast course due to the combination of consistent downhill gradient and low
starting elevation, although if you're not accustomed to trails you may find that the gravel surface
slows you down somewhat. You may choose either of two start waves (7AM or 8AM) and runners on the
course will be supported for 8 hours. So aim for a PR or take your time and enjoy the scenery;
either way you'll have a great run. (And here's hoping that the uncharacteristically warm and humid
weather of 2008 will be replaced by the more typical cool morning clouds and afternoon
sunshine).
To be notified when registration opens for the 2009 Light at the End of the Tunnel marathon, please
click here to enter your email address.
2008 Results
Results of the 2008 Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon are posted here.
Despite very warm and humid conditions, 22% of the 138 finishers qualified for Boston. Overal winner
Michael Lynes set a new course record of 2:37:17 and women's winner Devon Crosby-Helms set a new women's
course record of 3:04:35.
If you have any questions or corrections please email Race Director Brian.
In particular if you started early and we thought you didn't, or vice versa, let me know. Many thanks to
Tony and Jess for their diligence and accuracy in recording finishing times.
2008 Lost and Found
Several items were left behind at the finish. A number of you have already emailed me about missing items
and I apologize for the delay in getting back to you. You should hear from me within a few days. If you don't,
or if you think you are missing a flashlight or article of clothing and haven't contacted me yet, please
email me.
2009 Race Info
We're not planning to change much for the 2009 Light at the End of the Tunnel marathon. We're moving the
race to mid-June in order to free up the beautiful August days for hiking trips and such. We'll accept
a few more runners than in 2008 and order a few extra shirts and medals. The price will increase
to $60 early registration and $80 late registration with a $10 discount for Marathon Maniacs.
We'd like to have a photographer on the course too. We're planning to have two regular start waves, one at 7:00AM
and the other at 8:00AM so runners can choose to start early or sleep in a bit. We again will not be using
chip timing but will probably upgrade to tear-off tabs on bibs to facilitate recording finishing times.
Thank you very much to runners who contacted us after the race with their compliments and suggestions. We
really enjoyed hearing how much you enjoyed the race. Please let us know
if you have any additional comments, suggestions or ideas for improvements to the race for 2009.
Registration
Registration for the 2009 Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon will be limited to approximately
200 runners to ensure that we can provide sufficient support for all the participants. Registration will
open in February 2009. Notification of the opening of registration will be sent to all 2008 registered runners
and volunteers. Click here to enter your email if you would like to be added
to the email notification list.
Course Details return to top
The race starts at the Hyak trailhead for the John Wayne Pioneer trail just east of
Snoqualmie Pass. After a 3/4 mile warm-up the next 2 1/4 miles of the course run underground
through the damp and pitch-black Hyak Tunnel, a little like Seattle in November only alot darker.
Flashlights are strongly recommended though it is possible
to run the tunnel without one. Once you get about 50 yards into the tunnel, you can see a
pinpoint of light ahead of you which is the "Light at the End of the Tunnel" over 2 miles away. If
you keep your focus on that point of light and use the feel of the invisible gravel underfoot and
the hint of an echo of your footsteps off the walls on either side of you, and you ignore the impression
that you are either not moving at all or are about to tip over, you'll probably make it through without
a light. Unless the fog obscures the pinpoint of light in the distance. Then you've got a problem.
The next 13 miles run parallel to and a little above I-90 along the John Wayne Pioneer Trail,
passing through a snowshed and over four high trestle bridges before diverging from I-90 and
traversing forested slopes for 5 more miles to the Iron Horse State Park trailhead at Rattlesnake
Lake. At Rattlesnake Lake the course continues on the Snoqualmie Valley trail past a few houses and
through leafy second-growth forest before returning to civilization for the last half mile or so.
The race finishes at a gravel parking area along North Bend Way 2.4 miles SE of downtown North
Bend.
The last 23 miles of the course are all downhill at a fast 80'/mile gradient except for one
little 50-yard hill at about mile 9. Both the John Wayne Pioneer and Snoqualmie Valley trails are
old railway grades surfaced with hard-packed gravel and wide enough for a car to pass. The surface
is generally smooth but there are sections with scattered small sharp rocks so you'll want to watch
your footing. As trail runs go, it's non-technical. Most runners will be comfortable running in
road shoes but probably not in racing flats.
The course is not closed to other users so expect scattered cyclists, walkers and joggers,
particularly on the second half of the course, as well as rock climbers around mile 16. Two days before
the 2008 race as I was marking the course I had to wait for a large black bear at mile 15 to get out
of my way, and cougars have been seen on the trail as well as deer and elk, toads, garter snakes,
small brown bunnies, cute little hopping mice and rather large slugs. There should be no motorized
vehicles on any portion of the course except at the two low-traffic road crossings at miles 13 and 25.5.
Spectators are notably scarce but can access the course without too much difficulty at miles 13.3, 16.5,
21-22 and at the finish.
Note:
If you are nervous about heights or being inside caves, you should evaluate whether or not you'll be
comfortable on this course. The tunnel is about 15' wide and 30' tall and it is almost completely
dark for a couple of miles. Beyond the tunnel, there are several high trestle bridges and a few
other sections of the trail from which it feels like a long ways down to the ground.
Course Map
(Adapted from The Backcountry Unicyclist)
Here is a rather large topographic map
of the entire course.
Weather
Weather in June is likely to be cloudy and cool with a little morning drizzle followed clearing
around mid-day. Temperature at the start could be around 50F and at the finish around 65F.
We occasionally get hot (80's or 90's) sunny days in June but heat combined with humidity (such as
we had for 2008) is quite unusual. Much of the second half of the course is shaded by trees which keep
the course cooler than it otherwise might be. Heavy rain is unlikely but fog and/or drizzle, especially
for the first half of the race, is a possibility.
Directions to the Finish return to top
Take Exit 32 from I-90. At the end of the exit ramp turn LEFT (towards Mt Si) on 436th Ave SE. Go
about 0.6 miles and turn sharp RIGHT on North Bend Way. In 0.6 miles you'll see a gravel pull-off
on the right where SE Tanner Road meets SE North Bend Way. That's the finish area. Parking is
provided inside the chain link fence through the opening on SE Tanner Road. If you want to use
mapquest or qoogle maps to get directions, the address at the finish area is approximately
44500 SE Tanner Rd, North Bend, WA.
Directions to the Start
Head east on I-90 to Exit 54 which is two miles past Snoqualmie Summit. At the end of the
exit ramp turn right then immediately turn LEFT on a road that parallels I-90 heading East. Go
about 0.4 miles then you'll have to turn RIGHT at a Department of Transportation maintenance yard.
After about 50 yards you'll turn RIGHT again at the first road off to the right. Follow this road
0.1 miles to the Hyak trailhead parking lot. Park at the east end of the lot.
You'll also see small brown signs with white lettering directing you from the highway offramp to the
Iron Horse State Park trailhead. If you end up at Hyak Lodge or at Keechelus Lake you have missed
the right turn heading to the Hyak parking lot. This aerial photo
shows the start area - follow the orange line.
No permit or pass is required to park at the start area. Overnight parking at the start is not
officially permitted, so may not be possible, although there are areas nearby where an RV could
probably be parked overnight. If you want to use mapquest or qoogle maps to get directions, the
address at the start is approximately Milwaukee Lane, Hyak, WA.
Limited Support return to top
The Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon is a trail marathon with limited access to roads
and aid along the course. You should consider carrying at least one water bottle, particularly if
the weather is warm. You may also want to carry a cell phone. There is a restroom at the start and
a porta-potty at the finish. Along the course there are restrooms at miles 3, 8.7, 11.6, 16 or so
and at mile 21.1. There are staffed aid stations at miles 13 and 22 with Gatorade, water and Gu or
comparable gel. There are self-service aid stations at roughly 3 mile intervals between the full
aid stations. At the self-service aid stations we'll provide Gatorade and water but you'll need to
fill your own cup or bottle. Cups are provided. We'll provide some food and a few chairs at the
finish. The course is marked with orange tape and white-flour arrows where necessary. Miles are
marked and numbered.
Race Morning (from 2008, but 2009 is likely to be similar) return to top
Runners should meet at the finish area between 5:45 and 7:00AM on Sunday morning. There is
plenty of room to park at the finish. Buses will leave from the finish at 6:00, 6:30 and 7:10AM to
transport runners to the start. Runners arriving after 7:10AM will need to either drive or carpool
up to the start. Runners driving from Seattle please note that although the Express lanes on the
I-90 bridge will be closed at 6:30AM for the Danskin Triathlon, the regular lanes are not affected
by this closure.
Check-in and bib pick-up will be at the start between 6:30 and 7:50AM. At checkin you will
receive a plastic bag containing your bib, and if you signed up by mail, a waiver for you to sign.
Your number is also marked on the plastic bag, which you can carry through the tunnel and drop at
the 3-mile aid station at the tunnel exit with your flashlight and any extra clothing you want to
shed. We'll retrieve your flashlight bag from the aid station and deliver it to you at the finish.
We'll also provide a second drop bag (think grocery store plastic bag with your bib number on it)
which you can use to leave extra clothing at the start. These will also be transported to the
finish for you.
At the finish you will receive your finisher's medal and race T-shirt. If you are unable to
run but would like to pick up your race T-shirt you may do so at the finish area between 10AM and
4PM. Notify the race director in advance if you want someone else to pick up your shirt for you.
Water and snacks (watermelon, chips, bars, pb&j sandwiches) will be provided at the finish.
An early start is available for runners who expect to take longer than six hours to complete
the course. Note that the course will be open and aid provided to runners for 8 hours or more,
so unless you expect to require more than 8 hours to finish, you can still do the regular start
if you'd prefer. The early start will be at 7:00AM. Early starters who park at the finish should
catch the first bus to the start at about 6:00AM. Runners faster than about 4 1/2 hours are
recommended not to do a early start since aid stations may not be set up in time for them.
Official Disclaimer
Participants in the Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon acknowledge that running any marathon
carries with it the potential for death, serious injury and property loss. PARTICIPANTS IN THIS
EVENT ASSUME ALL RISKS OF SUCH PARTICIPATION. Participants attest and certify that they are
physically fit and sufficiently trained for the completion of this event.
By electing to participate in this event, participants and waive and release any and all rights and
claims for damages which they may have or which may hereafter accrue to them or their heirs and
administrators, against USA Track and Field, Inc, The Pacific Northwest Association of USATF, Brian
Pendleton and all other volunteers associated with the Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon, East
Side Runners, Washington State Parks, King County Parks, King County and its Officers, Officials,
Employees and Agents, The City of North Bend and North Bend Industrial Park Llc and their respective
officers, agents, representatives and/or assigns arising from injuries due to participation in or
traveling for this competition.