Course Map (pdf)

Course Directions

Course Tour

Viewing Sites

Going Green

Boston Race Qualifier

Event Calendar
 

Participants

Marathon runners must maintain a pace of 14:30 minutes per mile (or faster) to complete the event before the course closes at 1:30 p.m. (approx. 6 1/2 hours). Runners unable to maintain a 14:30 pace should register for the half marathon. Runners must be at least 16 years old.

Half marathon runners must be at least 14 years old.

There are no walking categories, but walkers are welcome in the Half Marathon and Five Miler.

No dogs, bikes, strollers, rollerblades or skates of any kind allowed on the courses.

Headphones not allowed. Violators will be disqualified. Headphones pose a serious hazard because they limit your ability to hear other participants, emergency vehicles or safety warnings. U.S.A. Track and Field enacted a national running rule prohibiting the use of headphones and other music-playing devices for all sanctioned running events to increase participant safety.

Number of runners—we expect to have about 500 in the Marathon, 900 in the Half Marathon, 300 in the Five Miler and 100 in the Kids' Run.

Training groups for the Marathon and Half Marathon begin the second week in January. Contact South Sound Running for more details.

We are an all volunteer organization—we have approximately 800 volunteers who help make the event an annual success. To volunteer contact us through our website.

Registration and Packet Pick-up

No Day of Race Registration.

No refunds, substitutions or carry-overs to next year.

Early registration and entry-fee discount available through April 30.

On-line registration available through midnight, Thursday, May 15.

Mail-in registration must be postmarked no later April 30.

Confirmations for on-line registration only—Runners who register by mail will not receive a confirmation.

Packet pick-up is Saturday, May 17 from 12:00–5:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 18 starting at 6 a.m.

Shirts are manufactured six weeks prior to the event; therefore, we are not able to guarantee shirt sizes.

Runners who register Saturday, May 17 are not guaranteed a shirt.

Race changes are allowed at packet pick-up runners pay the entry fee difference if they are moving up a race. No refunds for moving down a race.

Race

Timing Chip will be included in your race packet. No Chip—No Time! Please return all chips immediately to the finish area. If you do not return your chip, you will be charged. Please read the instructions for wearing and returning the chip on the front of the timing chip envelope.

Race Number is to be pinned to the front of your running shirt and must be visible.

Clothing Storage will be provided at the registration area and mile four drop-off (clothing from mile four will be returned to the registration area). DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLES and/or irreplaceable items.

Lost & Found will be located in the Registration area.

Free Massages provided by Bodymechanics School will be available at the finish area. They offer ten minute sports massages to the runners on a first-come basis. 

Changing Tents available near the registration area. Sorry showers are not available.

Course

Certified Distance—the Capital City Marathon is the standard marathon distance of 26.2 miles. The course is sanctioned and certified by United States Association of Track and Field (USATF). Results are sent to the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) to confirm Boston Marathon qualification.

Marathon Certification Number: USATF WA06011 BL

Half Marathon Certification Number: USATF WA06028 BL

Course Marking—The course will be clearly marked and monitors will be at all major intersections. Mile markers will be at each mile point.

Aid Stations—Placed at 2-mile intervals and mile 25, featuring drinking water and electrolyte replacement fluid (Ultima). Sponge stations will be located at various points along the course.

GU—Available at miles 12 and 18

Medical—There will be a medical station at mile 22 on the course. Volunteers for aid stations will have band-aids, Vaseline and tape. Vehicles to transport non-finishers to the finish area will be available from water stations when necessary.

Sani-Cans—Located at the starting area and every two miles on the course.

Awards & Results

Awards are handed out for overall winners, Masters, Super Masters and age divisions in five-year increments, three deep. The divisions begin with 19 and under and end at 70 and over. Ceremonies follow each race as results become available. If you have won an award and need to leave before the awards ceremony, please check with the Awards staff located in the gazebo. Local runners can pick up their awards at South Sound Running. Out of town runners will receive their awards in the mail.

Results will be posted in the park on race day, published in the Olympian on Monday following the race and available on our website. A result card will be sent to each runner as well.

Directions, Hotel, Parking and Pasta Dinner

Directions to Registration/Sylvester Park—I-5 Northbound or Southbound: Take Exit 105 "State Capitol" exit. Turn right on Capitol Way and travel 8 blocks. Sylvester Park is right across the street from the Governor Hotel.

Lodging—The host hotel is the Governor Hotel, (360) 352-7700. For information or additional lodging options, call the Olympia/Thurston Chamber of Commerce at (360) 357-3362 or visit the website at www.thurstonchamber.com.

Parking will be available within walking distance of the start. Parking is allowed on local streets without having to pay the parking meters. The event is held on a Sunday, so please do not park in church parking lots.

Pasta Dinner sponsored by the Waterstreet Cafe & Bar will be Saturday, May 17, 5:00–7:30 p.m., 610 Water Street SE, Olympia, WA 98501, 360-709-9090.

Where does the money go? 

The Capital City Marathon Association is an all volunteer group.  The coordinators of the event take time out of their personal and professional lives to make the event happen each year. 

As do most marathons, we too, make charitable donations.  Instead of “a portion of the proceeds”, the Capital City Marathon makes direct donations to its recipients.  We provide college scholarships to local cross country runners.  This year, with the financial assistance of our new sponsor Comcast, there will 5 scholarships available.

For every Kids' Run registration, $2 goes to the South Sound YMCA for kids, family programs and services.

Water Street Café, our host for the pasta dinner, is also involved in our charitable program.  For each meal purchased, a portion of the money goes to the Thurston County Food Bank. 

The Valley Athletic Club, another sponsor, assists us with financial help for our cash grants to the local high schools who provide assistance on race weekend.  Each school is eligible for a grant by providing 10 students or more to help out with a variety of tasks during the weekend.

We take great pride in having a good working relationship with our local government officials.  There are three different governments that are impacted by the race—the state, cities and county.  Each of them have been very supportive over the past 26 years and we, in turn, support the local businesses.  Our event is “home grown.”  From the stunning new design every year to the pizza provided for the marathoners, we purchase services locally. Our shirts, medals, awards and food all come from locally owned businesses. 

Please take a moment to look at our list of sponsors.  We thank them for their commitment to making the Capital City Marathon one of the best boutique marathons on the west coast.  We also thank the hundreds of people who come out every year, rain or shine, because without them, we couldn’t put on the race.