An unforgettable 2.4-mile tunnel run, where runners need headlamps before emerging into the beautiful Snoqualmie Valley.
Fun fact: runners can choose to run their race on Saturday OR Sunday!
Yes, you heard that right! If you’re looking for one of the most unique half marathons in Washington, or a fun, scenic downhill race, this recap gives you a firsthand look at what to expect. For die-hard marathoners chasing a Boston qualifier or Abbott World Marathon Major, the full marathon is a BQ course offered both days. What other race on the planet does that?!
Running Through the Snoqualmie Tunnel: Arrive Early & Bring a Headlamp (Miles 1 – 2.4)
This might be the most unique start to any half marathon I’ve ever experienced. But before you lace up, arrive early, really early. Jack and Jill’s Downhill Half Marathon starts at 6:30 a.m., and the three parking lots fill quickly. I arrived around 4:45 a.m. on the race team’s advice, and by 5:30, cars were already pouring in.
Then came the adventure: the Snoqualmie Tunnel.
As the temperature drops inside the tunnel, you can literally see your breath in front of you, water drips from the walls, and uneven ground makes every step a fun challenge.
With hundreds of headlamps glowing and footsteps echoing through the tunnel, it feels more like an adventure movie than a half marathon. If you are claustrophobic, this might not be the race or 2.4 miles for you.
And then, suddenly, there it is…the light at the end of the tunnel. Literally.
Out of the Darkness and Into the Cascades (Miles 2.5 – 7)
This is where the race finally opens up where the darkness ends and the downhill begins. You’ve conquered the tunnel, your eyes adjust to the daylight, and suddenly you’re running through one of the most beautiful stretches of the course. Runners go from “survival mode” to “race mode.”
The hard-packed gravel trail is wide and runnable, with the course gradually trending downhill. Around mile 3, my right shoe started feeling like there was a tiny boulder trapped inside. I stopped to check, but couldn’t find a thing. On a brighter note, the race team clearly marked mile markers made it easy to know exactly where you stood.
Runners continue to experience a cool mountain air, a peaceful trail surrounded by a forest of towering evergreens, and the expansive scenery of the Cascades.
Around mile 7, you cross a historic railroad trestle along the Iron Horse/Palouse to Cascades Trail, running on the same corridor that once carried trains through the Cascade Mountains.
With the trees opening around you and the trail stretching ahead, it’s an easy spot to slow down for a second and take in the scenery.
And yes, I finally removed my headlamp after this mile!
Let Gravity Carry You to the North Bend Finish (Miles 8 – 13.1)
By mile 8, you’re fully into the rhythm of the race. The course continues along the historic rail trail toward North Bend, with long, gradual downhill sections and very few turns. This is where the course starts to feel fast without requiring you to force the pace.
The surface remains hard-packed gravel rather than technical trail, making road shoes a reasonable choice for most runners. For me, I honestly would’ve preferred trail shoes, and if I could change one thing, it would be my shoes. I was convinced a rock had taken up residence in my right shoe. Yet every time I took it off to investigate, all I found was my insole.
The scenery continues to change as you move farther away from the mountains. You’re surrounded by trees for much of the run.
Then comes the final push from mile 10 to 13.1 and where the downhill profile really starts to feel like a gift. If you’ve saved something in your legs, this is the time to use it.
From pitch-black tunnels to wide-open mountain views, the Jack and Jill Half Marathon feels like two races in one. You start underground, emerge into the Cascades and spend the final miles letting gravity carry you toward North Bend. The tunnel gets you started. The downhill gets you home.
And the medal is pretty unforgettable too!
Apparently, the Snoqualmie Tunnel wasn’t the only thing I carried home with me. After the race, I walked 1.2 miles down the 30+ degree gravel road from the finish line, the same steep climb supporters had to walk up just to watch us finish. Then I opened my trunk to change into sandals and found a little race souvenir: a rock in my shoe!
Washington State Bucket List: Places You Won’t Want to Miss
Coming to Washington was always going to be about more than just running a race. My good friend Brad has a goal of taking his Short-Hair Pointer, Valentina, to all 63 U.S. National Parks. She’s already visited 17, so we had a bigger mission in mind: visit and hike all three of Washington’s national parks.
Mount Rainier: Where Washington Touches the Sky
By far, my favorite of the three national parks. When we arrived at Paradise, heavy fog made it nearly impossible to see a thing. But after an incredible hike along the Skyline Trail, the clouds finally parted, and Mount Rainier revealed her skyline views in all her glory.
North Cascades: Wild, Rugged and Unforgettable
North Cascades National Park is one place where the drive is almost as memorable as the destination. Diablo Lake, Washington Pass Overlook, Liberty Bell Mountain and the dramatic granite peaks are all must-see stops. If you have time for a hike, add Rainy Lake Trail to the list, you won’t regret it.
Olympic National Park: Three Worlds in One Park
I’d been told the Hoh Rain Forest was a must-see, so I had to check it out. The moss-covered trees, ferns and lush forest floor were undeniably beautiful, but honestly, I left feeling like it was a bit overrated.
Hurricane Ridge, on the other hand, completely stole the show. Walking along those incredibly narrow paths with sweeping mountain views makes you feel like you’re standing on top of the world. My pictures don’t come close to doing it justice—you’ll just have to trust me on this one.
Add a stop at Lake Crescent, and you have two of my favorite spots in Olympic National Park. If you’re short on time, I’d make these two a priority.
Seattle in a Nutshell: Views, Vibes & Must-Sees
When I think of Seattle, three places immediately come to mind: The Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and Chihuly Garden and Glass.
Space Needle: Seattle’s Iconic View From Above
If you do one quintessential Seattle experience, make it the Space Needle.
There’s something about seeing Seattle from 520 feet in the air that completely changes your perspective. As you rise above the city, the views seem to get better with every second…and it’s not just about the view. The Space Needle itself is an experience. The rotating glass floor gives you a completely different look at the city below, while the open-air viewing areas let you take in the sights, sounds and fresh Northwest air.
I’ve been fortunate enough to see some incredible places around the world, and I honestly didn’t expect the Space Needle to leave such an impression. It’s iconic, exhilarating and absolutely worth experiencing.
Pike Place Market: More Than Just a Market
Pike Place Market absolutely lived up to the hype (get there early), especially the seafood. From oysters and Dungeness crab to black cod and a must-try smoked salmon jerky which was the best bite in the market, in my opinion.
And then there’s the Gum Wall. Just around the corner and down an alley, it’s one of those Seattle sights you’ll either find fascinating…or absolutely disgusting. There’s really no in-between.
And if you are a coffee drinker, which I am not, you can stand in line in the first ever Starbucks (opened on March 30, 1971) and get a cup of joe.
Chihuly Garden and Glass: A World of Color and Glass
If you love art, you need to walk 50 paces to the right from the Space Needle and into this museum. You can even buy a ticket to visit both upon your entry into the Space Needle for $70 total .The vibrant glass sculptures are mesmerizing, with massive installations, intricate details and colors that seem to come alive in the light. It’s less like walking through a museum and more like stepping into a world made entirely of glass.
Don’t worry, Mom. The rest of the pictures are coming to your phone…all 847 of them.
Goodbye, Seattle…New Hampshire, Here We Come!
And just like that, another state is in the books! Washington, you were unforgettable. On our way outside of Seattle I couldn’t resist snapping one more picture (with an assist from AI).
But the journey isn’t over yet. Next stop: Concord, New Hampshire, State #48, as I look to close out my 2026 race calendar with one more state, and one more unforgettable adventure.