Mercer Island Rotary Half Marathon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Trina S.
Newcastle, WA

  (03-25-2010)

"The course is challenging with hills late in the course, including a half mile up at mile 11 and an up hill finish. There were plenty of water stations and one GU near the mid-point. No Gatorade or other electrolyte fluids were available, though. Lots of fans along along the course made it encouraging through the switchback terrain.
"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Janna T.
Bonney Lake, WA

  (03-24-2010)

"Mercer Island Half Marathon 2010
I was very surprised at first of how easy it was to park. We arrived on the island about 7:00am. I would say that the parking lot at Chase bank was a perfect place to park.
We walked over to the community center got our bibs and we were good to go. Everyone was friendly and informative.
The only negative thing I would say is that there were not enough restrooms to accommodate all the runners.
Start of the race it was pretty crowded but everyone was eager to run. There were a lot of spectators. I enjoyed the residents at an elderly facility just past City Hall. About City Hall, I was really hot by then and I had on a brand new Nike dry fit t-shirt. I saw a fan waving at the runners so I called to her and threw her my shirt and asked her to hide it for me. It was still there when I came back to get it. An honest town, how nice!
The hills were long and steep but it sure felt good to go down them. I figured out that if I shorten my stride and leaned into the hill, it was easier to go up at a decent pace. Coming down I would use all that free energy and the knees I still have! It really helped make up time.
The fans were so amazing cheered us on the whole way. I run for a young woman who died of cancer last year. Her name is Ashleigh. I have never met her but her fight with cancer changed my life forever and for the better. Ashleigh made me want to live and want to continue to be a better wife, mother and friend. I felt her presence the whole race.
Lots of people were running for someone they loved who has either passed or is fighting now from cancer. We can always feel good about doing a hard race when we have a good cause to run for.
End of the race was very difficult but everyone around me was so encouraging, the people I was pacing helped me a lot too! They did not know it until the end. All in all I felt I ran a good race and finished 19th in my age bracket (40-45) and my time was 1:47:08. I can be proud of that.
Mercer Island Half Marathon you all put on an amazing race and I will continue to come every year.
"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Michael R.
Seattle, WA

  (03-24-2010)

"This was my first 1/2 marathon so it is difficult for me to compare with other marathons. The start of the race was not organized well. I wanted to get into the 10 min mile group however because the crown I got stuck in the 8 min mile group.

Overall this course has lots of elevation changes and lots of blind turns. When I envision a marathon you should be able to see ahead but most of this course you could not due to the hills and turns throughout the 1/2 marathon. Mile 5 & 9 were ok since it was in the beginning of the race. Mile 11.5 was BRUTAL because it was all up hill towards the end of the race. My thighs were burning like crazy! The last quarter mile is all up hill to the finish line.

I will run this 1/2 marathon one more time next year to see how much I can improve on my time. You do see some nice views of the lake and beautiful homes but the elevation changes are difficult for first time participants. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Zoe A.
Kent, WA

  (03-24-2010)

"I had been warned that this course was hilly, but I wasn't too worried. This race was just a "fun run" for me as I wasn't going for a PR. Overall, the course was gorgeous: beautiful views of the Lake, mountains, awesome houses. The volunteers were amazing! They were very helpful and there were an abundance of people helping out. The only gripe I have was the starting line...it was on this narrow pathway that was difficult to get to (you had to climb down a steep, barked hillside). The hills were not steep, but they were long. I just loved this race course regardless, and I'm definitely coming back next year!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010