Event Date/Location: March 8, 2025, Redmond, WA to Issaquah, WA

View the full LSRC Cheer Station Album here!

Photo Credit: Shawn Pearce

The Lake Sammamish Half Marathon occurring annually for 15 years in early March, has become a staple on the Eastside and has attracted thousands of runners from all parts of the greater Seattle area. This year was no different with the exception of a new course that started at Redmond City Hall, but otherwise kept true to tradition, skirting the shores of Lake Sammamish, all the way to Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah via the East Lake Sammamish Trail.

Typical March overcast skies presented their usual threats of showers first thing, but a 2000+ person crowd formed, huddled like penguins often do as the start corrals grew to capacity shortly before the gun went off at 7:30am. At least this year, the arrangement was a bit more practical than in previous years where the entire field of runners had been restricted to what was really just an apartment courtyard.

Orca Running - who has put on this race for several years now - had also made notable strides in their event organization. Wave starts helped reduce traffic on the narrow pedestrian trail, and accurate mile markers relieved anxiety for anyone trying to beat a time. The only short sight that a significant number of runners would gripe about was the continuation of Orca’s cup-less aid station policy where you are required to fill up your own container at each aid station rather than grabbing from a familiarized pre-filled Dixie cup on the go.

LSRC came to the rescue in that sense, setting up a special unofficial aid and cheer station a bit past half-way through the course for LSRC runners. As a runner myself, it was boosting to see everyone right before the later stages in the race where the going gets tough, and I sensed an equal level of excitement on the other side by the exuberant photography efforts as I sped by.

The remainder of the race was rather uneventful, with maybe a passing shower or two, although the revised finish (compared to previous years) played out quite unexpectedly, taking a turn off the cement and meandering onto gravel and grass in short quarters, briefly becoming the Kentucky Derby in the final stretch.

Overall, completing the race brought satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment for myself and most others. LSRC runners showcased strong performances, including a few half-marathon firsts and PRs! This was not only a day to remember, but will also be a day to look forward to next year.

Photo Credit: Joy Chan