Start: September 8, 2018 9:00 AM (full marathon), 11:00 AM (half marathon)
Level: 3
Distance: 26.2/12 miles
Meeting: 8:15 AM (full marathon), 9:30 AM (half marathon)
Director: Kevin Olney
Phone: 360.220.0247
The 2018 Bainbridge Island Marathon promises to be exciting and competitive. Rowers, paddlers and pedal-powered racers will face unique navigational challenges as they contend with tide change as well as uncertain weather and other water traffic.
Following the race on Saturday there will be plenty of soup and bread and other goodies for everyone. Participants are encouraged to stay on the island and explore all the recreation and shopping opportunities Bainbridge has to offer.
The 8:15 meeting is MANDATORY. Safety is our biggest concern so we want to make sure everyone is adequately prepared for the challenge. The Half Marathon meeting will be at 9:30 at Fay Bainbridge. After the meeting, we will shuttle to Fort Ward for the Half start at 11:00. We will have a van and trailer to accommodate 6-8 people/boats and can make arrangements for additional racers.
The 2017 race was based out of Fay Bainbridge State Park. Free camping was be available for up to 16 racers at the group site both Friday and Saturday nights. Friday night we had a pasta feed followed by exaggerated storytelling by race veterans.
Due to the predicted 2017 tides the Full Marathon started early in the morning to allow racers to avoid the strongest currents. Information on 2018 tides TBA.
Directions
Bainbridge Island can be accessed by bridge from the north, by Seattle based ferry from the south. Fay Bainbridge Park is on the northeast end of the island.
Race Registration
Pre-register online! Pre-registration helps out tremendously on race day, helps insure accurate information, saves you five dollars, and does NOT commit you to actually racing!
Race Course
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.
Safety
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).
Course Record
Long course: Jeb Besser and Grant Dull, 3:09:01 in 2009 in a 2x.
Short course: Ole Kanestrom, 1:40:28 in 1993 in a 1X-RI.
Entry Fees
Boats of 1 or 2 competitors:
- $15 per person for members of Sound Rowers and juniors (18 and under).
- $25 per person for non-member adults
Boats of 3+ competitors: $15 per person
Awards
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.
Sponsors
TBA
Camping
Fay Bainbridge State Park. The group site will be reserved Friday and Saturday nights (up to 16 people). Otherwise there are RV and tent sites available.Web site: http://www.biparks.org/parksandfacilities/pkfaybainbridge.html.