The Whidbey 1/2

In-Person Reg Prices:

• $60 - Through February 28
• $70 - March 1 through April 4
• $80 - April 5 through April 23
• $90 - April 24 & April 25 (race day)*

*Onsite registration will not be accepted. You will need to register via computer or smartphone prior to collecting your packet.

Virtual Race Registrations

Virtual registration prices will stay at $65 through the duration of the registration period and will close on race day, April 25. All race packages purchased before April 19 will be mailed out April 19. All virtual registration packages will include shipping within the United States. If wanting to register for the virtual event from outside the US, please email us at info@fizzeventsnw.com to figure out shipping costs.

Whidbey Island has long been known as a weekend getaway destination for Pacific Northwesterners looking for a quiet weekend. Only 80 miles north of Seattle (30 miles if you take the quick 20 minute ferry ride) Whidbey Island is an easy drive away but feels like eons between the busy city life. With plenty of beaches, parks, farms and more to explore, one can spend a weekend relaxing or exploring just the same.

The Whidbey 1/2,a new half marathon experience in Oak Harbor, offers participants a first class experience along rural roads, picturesque scenery, quiet farmland and views of the Olympic Mountains and Pacific Ocean as runners wind through the western part of Whidbey Island.

The Whidbey 1/2, the new sister event to The Whidbey Island Marathon, offers participants a fun running experience in an intimate setting.

With limited participant availability we recommend registering early as this event will reach capacity quickly.

Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.

All participants of The Whidbey 1/2 will receive the following as part of their registration:

• Long Sleeve Whidbey 1/2 Running Top (Click PDF to view shirt size chart.  ➡️  )
• The Island Finisher Medal
• Pom Beanie
• Custom Race Bib & Timing Chip

PRE-RACE PACKET PICKUP

Due to current guidance. There will be no pre-race packet pickup on Saturday, April 24. Packet pickup will only be available at the race start line at Oak Harbor High School the day of the event.

RACE DAY REGISTRATION & PACKET PICKUP

Race day packet pickup will be available starting 30 minutes before the first wave start (7:30am) at Oak Harbor High School near the event start line (Oak Harbor High School Track). We encourage all participants, regardless of collecting materials or not to show up no earlier than 30 minutes before your race start. There will be no-onsite race day registration. All registration (regardless of time or date) will be available online only. You must register prior to participating.

VIRTUAL RACE PICKUP 

All registered virtual race participants will have their swag mailed to them the week of the event. Virtual participants are encouraged to complete and upload their race results on April 25th, but are not required to. Virtual packets will be mailed free of charge.

The Whidbey 1/2 is excited to offer a brand new course for participants to experience.

This USATF certified road course, starting and finishing at Oak Harbor High School, the event will feature continuous rolling hills through rural Whidbey Island roads. As you run, you'll pass farmland and quiet neighborhoods as you take in the sites of the Cascade Mountains, Pacific Ocean and more. In fact, as you run, you might be treated to practice sessions of Naval jets flying high above from nearby Naval Base Ault Field.

On course, please follow the cone lines. You'll be running on a mix of closed roads as well as roads open to traffic. Your course will be coned, so please stay inside the cone lines and follow the signed turns and orange tape located on the roads to indicate where to continue. 

We will be offering "self-serve" water stops on course. What's this mean? It mean's we'll offer 4 water stations (about every 3 miles) for participants to stop and fill up their water bottles they've been carrying. We will not have volunteers to assist or provide cups, they are 100% self-serve. While at the stations, please mask up to ensure the safety of other participants. We'll also offer restrooms for your use, sanitizer for your safety and trash cans... please use them.

To view the course, check out the map below or for a more detailed version with elevation, visit our MapMyRun page HERE

Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.

IS THIS THE WHIDBEY ISLAND MARATHON? - NO - This race is not The Whidbey Island Marathon. This is the new, sister event of the marathon. We are only affiliated in a marketing sense. In 2021, that event will take place in September and we will not honor rollovers from that event to this event. For more information about that event, visit HERE 

WHEN IS THE WHIDBEY 1/2? - The Whidbey 1/2 will take place April 25th, 2021

WHERE IS THE WHIDBEY 1/2 LOCATED? - The event will take place in Oak Harbor, WA. Participants will start and finish at Oak Harbor High School. 

IS THE 1/2 MARATHON COURSE USATF CERTIFIED? YES!

WHAT TIME DOES THE RACE START? - Participants will choose their start time. Due to COVID-19, the race will start in multiple waves. Runners will choose their desired start time between 8:00am - 10:00am. Time slots will be available every 3 minutes for a maximum of 10, socially distanced runners, per time slot.

IS THERE A TIME LIMIT? - YES, all participants need to be completed by 1:00pm. This means if you start in the last time slot (10am) you need to complete your race in 3 hours. Please plan accordingly so we can re-open roadways for residents.

CAN I WALK THE 1/2 MARATHON? Of Course! We just ask that you register for a time slot that you know you'll be finished by 1:00pm when roads need to reopen. If you register for an 8:00am time slot you'll have 5 hours to complete your race. At 9:00am you'll have 4 hours and so on.

ARE THE ROADS CLOSED DURING THE RACE? - Yes and No. While you will be running on roadways the entire time not all roadways will be closed. You will be running on the shoulder while live traffic is still open. Please stay inside all cones lines and only follow roads where the course is marked. There will be police officers, flaggers and course monitors on course to help direct you and keep you safe.

ARE THERE PACERS? - No, because you select when you'd like to run, we will not offer pacers.

WILL THE EVENT HAVE AGE GROUPS? AWARDS? Yes, the event will be broke out and scored in 5 year increments (example, 0-14, 15-19, 20-24 and so on). Finishers will be able to download a finisher certificate that states their placing within their age group as well.

WHAT ABOUT WATER STATIONS AND RESTROOMS? Due to COVID-19, we will not be offering the traditional water stations. Instead, there will be 3 "Self-Serve" water stations on course at mile markers 3.25, 6 and 9.25. We will place water jugs on the tables for participants to refill their water bottles. These will be self-serve water stations. We will not be offering cups at these stations so you'll need to fill your water bottle. Masks are MANDATORY while stopped, filling bottles or using restrooms. Portable restrooms will be available at each of these stations along the course.

IF I CAN'T PARTICIPATE, WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? We do not offer refunds. If you are unable to participate you can transfer your registration to a friend or defer your entry to the following year. Please email us if you need this to happen.

LIVE RACING IS BACK!

We are stoked to welcome runners back on course and take part in some fun, engaging events. To do so, we need to make sure you're safe first and foremost. To do so, we'll be following the guidelines provided to us, as well as adding some of our own.

To ensure all participants, employees and volunteers safety, we will be following the Governor's "Safe Return to Running" guidelines and enforcing the following. Please help us keep everyone safe by following the guidelines put forth.

For starters, the event will be capped, so capacity is going to be extremely limited, register early to ensure your spot at the start line. Speaking of start lines, you'll need to select what time you'd like to participate. To encourage social distancing, we will be offering time slots 3 minutes apart from 8:00am - 11:00am for you to start your race. You'll need to select a specific time during registration. Register early to ensure your time (and get your friend to register with you).

When you arrive at the event:

• We strongly encourage all participants to show up no earlier than 30 minutes prior to your start time. This is to ensure we have minimal numbers of people crowding areas
• Masks/Face Coverings will be required AT ALL TIMES once you exit your car until you start your race
• Use hand sanitizer. It will be available at the packet pickup area as well as at all portable restrooms

While on course:

• Please do not run next to each other (unless in your group). Always leave room for others to pass safely.
• Face coverings will not be required (except at water fill up stations), but we encourage all participants to cover up while passing others
• Face coverings ARE required while at water fill up stations
  • We will not be offering traditional water stations on course, but we will offer self-serve stops. Every 3 miles (4 on course) we will set out water that all participants can use to fill up the containers they've carried. Hand sanitizer and portable restrooms will also be available at these stops. Please use the sanitizer, fill up and keep moving so others can as well. 

At the finish line:

• Participants are once again required to cover up. Face Masks are 100% required at all times once crossing the finish line
• Please do not hang out at the finish line. Help us encourage physical distancing and move on from the finish line after your race
• Food - we'll have some snacks to refill on. They'll all be self serve, so please only touch what you plan to take and clear the area
• After your race, results will be emailed to you, no need to hang around. Please clear the area so others can start their race, finish their race and visit packet pickup.

If you aren't feeling well, have been near others that have been exposed to COVID-19 or have tested positive. Please stay safe and stay at home. We'll mail your packet to you so you can complete your race virtually when feeling better. Let's not put others at risk.

Stay safe and have fun! Remember, refunds will not be provided under any circumstances.