Races

PACERTRIP CITY EDITIONUS / RACE GUIDE

Jack and Jill's Downhill Marathon

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

North Bend
US

Guywelch2000 · CC BY 4.0Gene Bisbee · CC BY 2.0Gene Bisbee · CC BY 2.0Gene Bisbee · CC BY 2.0Drums600 at English Wikipedia · Public domain

Race date in 252 days: Jul 24, 2027 Sat
City · Distance: North Bend · 42.195km · 21.0975km
Entry fee: $165Varies by event and entry period
Status: OpenSee how to enter ↗

2027Date Jul 24, 2027 · Open

2026

2026Date Jul 25, 2026

Official website ↗

Instagram

D-day as of Nov 14, 2026

About the race Runner stories How to enter Course Race Prep Travel

Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

This is Washington State's signature downhill marathon, running down through the Cascade Range past the Snoqualmie Tunnel.

With about 300 m of net downhill and no Boston penalty, it draws many runners going for a fast time.

You choose one of the two weekend days to run.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

Stories from runners who've been there.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

Race reports: 3

Matt HallRan in 2023 · Finish time 3:11:24

“Beautiful; probably the most beautiful course you'll ever do.”

Thanks to the gentle downhill on the gravel trail, the runner didn't fall apart in the second half and set a personal best. The runner called the water-filled holes in the tunnel, the start that was 25 minutes late and the lack of parking guidance the downsides.

Read the original on Team RunRun

Derek SiebertRan in 2021 · Finish time 2:59:53

“The course is beautiful and fast.”

A runner who finished in under 3 hours and praised the scenery and the aid station lineup. The runner was disappointed that there were no mile markers inside the tunnel, which threw off the GPS pace, and that an early shuttle meant waiting about 90 minutes before the start.

Read the original on Team RunRun

Vivian VRan in 2019 · Finish time 3:42:27

“The course is beautiful and fast.”

The runner liked the shaded, gentle course but said the aid-station food was lacking and that Packet Pickup in North Bend was crowded. The runner advised bringing your own supplies and a headlamp.

Read the original on Team RunRun

We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

Jack and Jill's Downhill Marathon Course, North Bend, WA
View on YouTube

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

First come, first served

Entry cost $165

Entry is first come, first served through RunSignup.

When the field fills, a waitlist opens.

Switching between Saturday and Sunday is possible depending on availability;

refunds and transfers are not allowed.

Organizer's page

Official race website Entry options

From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

Your 42.195km

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

Runners start · local timeFrom 6:00

Time limit6 hours 30 minutes

Marathon: 6 hours 30 minutes (12:30 p.m.)

Event	Start	Time limit	Entry fee
Marathon (Sat or Sun)42.195km	06:00	12:30	$165
Half Marathon (Sat or Sun)21.0975km	06:30	10:30	$135

START

Hyak Sno-Park, Snoqualmie Pass, Washington

FINISH

North Bend, Washington, at the Garcia point on the Palouse to Cascades Trail

Cutoff
Marathon: the course closes at 12:30 p.m.; half marathon: 10:30 a.m. (section time limit times are not on the official site)

Runners start · local time — Marathon 6:00 a.m., half marathon 6:30 a.m. (same on Saturday and Sunday)

A point-to-point course that starts in Hyak and finishes in North Bend.

The course runs on the Palouse to Cascades Trail, a packed-down old railroad bed, so the surface is firm and there are almost no sharp turns.

The first half is nearly flat and the last 21 km or so is a gentle downhill, which suits a negative split where you pick up the pace in the second half.

In the middle of the course is the Snoqualmie Tunnel, about 3.9 km (2.4 miles) long,

and running through total darkness with a headlamp is what sets this race apart.

The net downhill is about 300 m (1,000 feet), and as a USATF-certified course it is accepted as a Boston Marathon qualifying time.

The official website says roughly 1 in 3 participants beats the Boston standard.

The organizer is Run Super Series, which has held the race since 2016 and,

together with its sister races Super Hyak and Cascade Express, makes up a downhill series.

Because you pick one of two weekend days, it is easy to plan your accommodation and schedule.

Reviews repeatedly describe a beautiful, fast course.

On the other hand, the early start time, start delays, and parking instructions are often cited as drawbacks.

Typical race-season temperature: around 26°C (78°F): Hot race — plan fluids and electrolytes

Participant benefits

Timing chip

Pacers

Medical support

Restrooms

Aid stations

Finisher medal

Event T-shirt

Finisher certificate

Bag drop

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

From the 2026 edition

Bib pickup

The official site lists no separate expo; the Packet Pickup location is the Snoqualmie Running Company.

Stations & transport near the venue

Getting to the startHyak Sno-Park (Exit 54, I-90)
Getting to the finishNorth Bend trailhead area

Source · checked Nov 11, 2026

More details

Getting to the start

Hyak Sno-Park (Exit 54, I-90)

Drive to Hyak Sno-Park via I-90 Exit 54; parking is first come, first served and needs a $10 Discover Pass. No shuttle to the start.

Public transit to the start is not offered by the organizer. Drive to Hyak, then use the post-race bus to return from the finish.

Map

Getting to the finish

North Bend trailhead area

No parking or car access at the finish. Post-race buses run 8:30 AM-12:30 PM about every 15-20 minutes from a point about 1 mile downhill from the finish back to the Hyak lots.

Map

Source · checked Nov 11, 2026

READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

The marathon starts at 6:00 a.m. and the half marathon at 6:30 a.m., so you'll be on the move before dawn.

There's no shuttle to the start at Hyak Sno-Park, so you have to drive yourself;

parking is first come, first served and requires a $10 Discover Pass (card only).

You can't park at the finish.

After finishing, walk about 1.6 km (1 mile) downhill and take the bus,

which comes every 15–20 minutes between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., back to the start parking lot.

A headlamp or small flashlight is a must in the tunnel.

Used lights can go in a donation box after you exit the tunnel.

Aid stations are every 3-4 km with water and Gatorade, but gels are only at some, so bring your own fuel.

The time limit is 6 hours 30 minutes (12:30 p.m.) for the marathon and 4 hours (10:30 a.m.) for the half marathon.

Picking up your bib the day before at Snoqualmie Running Company is safest;

race-day pickup costs $25 with advance request.

For lodging, Snoqualmie and North Bend are closest, and hotels in Issaquah on the Seattle side are about 64 km from the start.

The race is in late July, so the early morning is cool but midday can get hot.

Reviews mention puddles inside the tunnel, so light your footing well.

For family cheering, since vehicles can't get near the finish, it's best to settle on a midway meeting point in advance, such as near the lake.

Staying at the Summit Inn near the start or on the Snoqualmie side is convenient.

Times are local to North Bend. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Walk-In Skiing/Tubing Across at Summit East

Accommodation · 3.7km

9.8/10(8)

View on Booking.com

From Seattle - Wine Tasting, Vineyards in Eastern WA

$451

Jack and Jill's Downhill Marathon

About Jack and Jill's Downhill Marathon — what makes it special

A day you'll remember,long past the finish line.

The road to your own record

When the city cheers

The trip that follows the run