You’ll arrive in Seattle and stay in in the heart of downtown, close to all the touristy areas (Pike’s Place market, Space Needle, etc). Your guide will meet you in the late afternoon/early evening and take you on a light ~6mile run through the main tourist sights and iconic city views. End the evening with dinner at a top-notch restaurant, run by one of the most famous local chefs.

Today we head out on a run along the waterfront and start winding our way over to the Ballard Locks where salmon can be seen hopping upstream and boats getting lowered and raised between Lake Union. From there, we run through the historic part of Ballard (traditionally a Nordic community) and then the quirky town of Fremont (self-proclaimed “Center of the Universe) with its famous Troll that lives under the bridge. We see by Seattle’s famous houseboats, the University of Washington, some of the Amazon Campus and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. By the end, you’ll have made a full circle around Lake Union (~13 miles) and find yourself back at your hotel! That afternoon, you’ll experience a kilt-lifting brewery tour and then an evening dinner at another local gem.

We’ll pack up the van, and have a to-go breakfast from the famed Dhalia Bakery while we drive to one of the iconic Washington State Ferries that takes us to Whidbey Island (keep your eyes open for whales!). We’ll run through beautiful forest, rocky and sandy beaches, grassy bluffs, and green farmland, and see the cool old northwest Fort Casey (~13 miles). You have lunch in the old town of Coupeville, then drive over the impressive Deception Pass Bridge, and have dinner in the town of Anacortes, gateway to the San Juan Islands!

Today we hop up and run out of town from our hotel. We cross over a bay on a narrow foot bridge, and run a circle around a little isthmus that juts out into the water (~13 miles). We may see seals, hawks, bald eagles, rabbits, deer, and more… not to mention beautiful views of the water and mountains. After we finish the run, we’ll pack-up and head towards Woodinville, known for its wineries and breweries! That afternoon, we’ll have a wine-tour and tasting at Chateau St. Michelle (yum!) and stay in the landmark Willows Lodge.

We’ll run along the peaceful green Sammamish River pathway for ~10 miles… purposefully a little shorter today so that you can take advantage of the action-packed Adventure Park with a ropes course afterwards. It’s a blast! Later that afternoon, you’ll relax with beer tasting and a brewery tour at Red Hook Brewery… and another overnight at Willows Lodge!

We’ll pack up in the morning and drive towards Snoqualmie, with its world-renown waterfall (268 feet!) and historic district. We’ll wind our way through ~14 miles along verdant, velvety mountain trails and rippling rivers. We’ll stay over night in the luxurious Salish Lodge & Spa, located right above the waterfall and river. With an organic herb garden, honey made from their own apiary, and emphasis on local seasonal cuisines, your tummy will be in heaven! And if your legs are in need of pampering, you can take advantage of the spa as well…

Given the mountain and trails of the Northwest, we’d be remiss not to have you run up mountain… After packing up at the Salish Lodge, we’ll head towards Seattle, stopping in a town called Issaquah to run up a short trail called “Poo Poo Point”. While you can’t make a name like this up, you can run up it. It’s only ~1.5 miles to the top, and when you get there, on sunny/clear days, you’ll see a chromatic parade of hang gliders taking off and gracefully floating down over the sea of green beneath you. After scampering down and having lunch, we’ll continue the drive back to Seattle. As the city starts to come into view, we’ll stop and you’ll run along the landmark I-90 bridge over Lake Washington and down into the city, all the way to the wharf… where you’ll take a “foot ferry” (one that only takes walk-on passengers, not cars) across Elliot Bay to West Seattle. And there, you’ll hug the coastline for the last two miles of your run along a wide boardwalk and one of Seattle’s only sandy beaches. Congratulations!! Have a beer at the West Seattle Brewing Company while admiring the view and feeling proud of running, eating, and drinking your way through the great Northwest