Distance: 12/26 Miles (10.2/23.2 Nautical Miles)
Difficulty: 3
Pre-race meeting: 8:45 a.m.
Race start: 9:30 a.m.
From Seattle: Carpooling will save you some bucks. Follow the signage very carefully from I-5 to the ferry terminal. It isn’t easy the first time (or the second for some of us). Allow a little extra time. Catch the 7:55 Bainbridge Is (Winslow) ferry at the waterfront ferry terminal on Alaskan Way. On debarkation follow signs to SR 305/Poulsbo for approximately 4.25 mi. to Day Road. Turn right; drive 1.3 mi. to Sunrise Drive. Turn left; drive 1.8 mi. to Fay Bainbridge Park on the right.
Bainbridge Island forms a natural 26.2 mile Marathon with spectacular Puget Sound views over the entire course. To our knowledge, this is the longest single-day race for human powered boats on the west coast. The Bainbridge Marathon is a very challenging race, presenting a varying array of strong currents, high winds and shipping traffic. When rough weather combines with the long distance, it can and has whipped the best of athletes. Do not tackle this one if you lack the skills, conditioning, and experience to be confident of completion. However, if you’re ready, the weather is often glorious and the experience nearly always exhilarating. The half-marathon is the same, only shorter.
The full marathon starts and finishes at Fay Bainbridge State Park. Racers may choose a clockwise or counter-clockwise course. The half-marathon begins at Fort Ward State Park exactly 2 hours after the start of the marathon, proceeding in a counter-clockwise direction to Fay Bainbridge. All racers are expected to attend the race meeting at 8:45. After the start of the marathon, the shuttle of boats to Fort Ward will be arranged.
Participants acknowledge that advanced skills, conditioning and experience are essential to safe completion of the race and that they are prepared. In addition all participants must carry a PFD and a whistle on board per Washington State law; and be capable of self-righting their boat (this usually means carrying a paddle float for kayakers.). Participants are expected to go immediately to the aid of a racer who has capsized. (The race director will make his fairest allowance for lost time).
Long course: Jeb Besser and Josh Crosby, 3:12:43 in 2006 in a 2x.
Short course: Ole Kanestrom, 1:40:28 in 1993 in a 1X-RI.
Click here for records in all classes.
Boats of 1 or 2 competitors:
$8 per person for: members of Sound Rowers; members of
Masters Rowing Association (must provide number); or Juniors (18 and under).
$18 per person for non-members, non-Juniors
Boats of 3+ competitors:
$8 per person
Around five hours after the start of the marathon, (say 2:45) awards will be presented to 1st-3rd place finishers in each race class.
Fay Bainbridge State Park. Camp sites at the beach are first come, first served. Usually not a problem. There is an open grassy area above the beach if all the beach sites are taken. Web site: www.parks.wa.gov.
