deception pass 13.1M & 10K
April 4 2026 oak harbor, WA
Overview
Taking place at Deception Pass State Park which is named for the narrow and dramatic channel of water that separates Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands in the northern Puget Sound. The area is famous for it's rugged coastline, steep cliffs, dense forests and great views. These races cover many of the most scenic parts of the park, running at times right at sea level, other times high above on bluffs and the half marathon twice crosses the pass itself via the historic Deception Pass Bridge which sits about 180 feet above the water. There are no mountains or long climbs like many of our other Rainshadow Running Races but make no mistake Deception Pass races are still tough with it's technical footing, narrow, twisty trails and at times steep grades. They maybe be some of our faster courses but they're still a good challenge! And if you like these races you'll also like our Deception Pass 50K & 25K that we offer here each fall.
Taking place at Deception Pass State Park which is named for the narrow and dramatic channel of water that separates Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands in the northern Puget Sound. The area is famous for it's rugged coastline, steep cliffs, dense forests and great views. These races cover many of the most scenic parts of the park, running at times right at sea level, other times high above on bluffs and the half marathon twice crosses the pass itself via the historic Deception Pass Bridge which sits about 180 feet above the water. There are no mountains or long climbs like many of our other Rainshadow Running Races but make no mistake Deception Pass races are still tough with it's technical footing, narrow, twisty trails and at times steep grades. They maybe be some of our faster courses but they're still a good challenge! And if you like these races you'll also like our Deception Pass 50K & 25K that we offer here each fall.
|
Distance: 13.1M
Date: Saturday April 4th Elevation Gain: 2,100 ft Elevation Loss: 2,100 ft Aid Stations: 2 Cutoff Time: 5 hours |
Distance: 10K
Date: Saturday April 4th Elevation Gain: 1,100 ft Elevation Loss: 1,100 ft Aid Stations: 1 Cutoff Time: 3+ hours |
The Double! (19.3M)
Date: Saturday April 4th Elevation Gain: 3,300 ft Elevation Loss: 3,300 ft Aid Stations: 3 Cutoff Time: 9+ hours |
Registration
Half: Early bird $135 (before Feb 1), $145 (after Jan 31)
10K: Early bird $85 (before Feb 1), $95 (after Jan 31)
The Double: Early bird $185 (before Feb 1), $195 (after Jan 31)
10K: Early bird $85 (before Feb 1), $95 (after Jan 31)
The Double: Early bird $185 (before Feb 1), $195 (after Jan 31)
|
Do you want to race but can’t afford the entry fee? Are you a part of the BIPOC or LGBTQ+ community? Apply to the Trail Mix Fund to have your registration fee waived. |
Timeline
Saturday April 4th
Saturday April 4th
- 6:42 am: Sunrise
- 7:30 am Runner Check-In/Packet Pickup begins
- 9:00 am Half Marathon & The Double begins
- 2:00 pm 10K begins
- 7:45 pm: Sunset
- 8:00 pm: Everyone must be out of the park
The Double
For those of you who want more we offer The Double. Those participating in The Double will run both the Half Marathon starting at 9am and the 10K starting at 2pm for a total of 19.3 miles and 3300 feet of elevation gain. If you complete the Half Marathon in five hours or less, start the 10K at 2pm and finish the 10K you will also be given a finish time for the The Double race too. Your time will be the sum of your half finish time and your 10K finish time.
Driving Directions & Parking Pass
To get to the start/finish area at East Cranberry Lake Picnic Area at Deception Pass State Park just north of Oak Harbor and just south of Anacortes, these directions should help.
Everyone needs to display a Discover Pass on their dash to park anywhere in Deception Pass State Park. If you do not have one, there is a kiosk in the park where you can purchase a day pass or an annual pass, you can also buy them online and in person at various retailers such as REI. The rangers will be writing tickets for any vehicles not showing a Discover Pass. The annual pass is only $35 and the proceeds go directly to the park system. You can buy annual and day passes online here
No overnight parking or camping at the start/finish area. There is camping in Deception Pass State Park at the Quarry Campground (Cranberry Lake Campground is closed during the winter). Reservations can be made online or by calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
To get to the start/finish area at East Cranberry Lake Picnic Area at Deception Pass State Park just north of Oak Harbor and just south of Anacortes, these directions should help.
Everyone needs to display a Discover Pass on their dash to park anywhere in Deception Pass State Park. If you do not have one, there is a kiosk in the park where you can purchase a day pass or an annual pass, you can also buy them online and in person at various retailers such as REI. The rangers will be writing tickets for any vehicles not showing a Discover Pass. The annual pass is only $35 and the proceeds go directly to the park system. You can buy annual and day passes online here
No overnight parking or camping at the start/finish area. There is camping in Deception Pass State Park at the Quarry Campground (Cranberry Lake Campground is closed during the winter). Reservations can be made online or by calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
Camping/Overnight Parking
No overnight parking or camping at the start/finish area.
There is camping in Deception Pass State Park at Cranberry Lake Campground and Quarry Pond Campground. Reservations can be made online or by calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
Course Details
The courses will be well marked with yellow and black arrow signs and pink/black surveyor ribbons. Both races start and finish at the East Cranberry Lake Picnic Area and run towards North Beach on low traffic paved park roads for 0.75 mile before getting on the trails. Both follow mostly single track trails, sometimes smooth trail but just as often they're rocky and or rooty. The hills are relatively short but can be steep at times. The 10K is a loop on the south side of Deception Pass Bridge. The Half Marathon starts on the 10K course and then just past halfway around the loop the Half Marathon course goes across the bridge and runs to Rosario Head, Lighthouse Point and Lottie Point Trails and then runs the final 2+ miles of the 10K Loop. There is an aid station for the 10K and Half Marathon just before mile 4 and the half also has an aid station at mile 7 and 10 as well. Those participating in The Double will run both the Half Marathon starting at 9am and the 10K starting at 2pm for a total of 19.3 miles.
The courses will be well marked with yellow and black arrow signs and pink/black surveyor ribbons. Both races start and finish at the East Cranberry Lake Picnic Area and run towards North Beach on low traffic paved park roads for 0.75 mile before getting on the trails. Both follow mostly single track trails, sometimes smooth trail but just as often they're rocky and or rooty. The hills are relatively short but can be steep at times. The 10K is a loop on the south side of Deception Pass Bridge. The Half Marathon starts on the 10K course and then just past halfway around the loop the Half Marathon course goes across the bridge and runs to Rosario Head, Lighthouse Point and Lottie Point Trails and then runs the final 2+ miles of the 10K Loop. There is an aid station for the 10K and Half Marathon just before mile 4 and the half also has an aid station at mile 7 and 10 as well. Those participating in The Double will run both the Half Marathon starting at 9am and the 10K starting at 2pm for a total of 19.3 miles.
Aid Stations
Each aid station will be stocked with water, Nuun electrolyte drink, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, fresh fruit, chips, pickles, and assorted cookies or candy. We will have a variety of gels, but we do ask that you only use those to supplement what you are providing for yourself. There will also be first aid supplies and feminine hygiene products for issues that arise on the course.
Our volunteers are tracking all runners at the aid stations, so please wear your bib visibly on the front of your body.
Half Marathon:
Pass View mile 4
Bowman Bay mile 7
Pass View mile 10.5
10K:
Pass View mile 4
Each aid station will be stocked with water, Nuun electrolyte drink, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, fresh fruit, chips, pickles, and assorted cookies or candy. We will have a variety of gels, but we do ask that you only use those to supplement what you are providing for yourself. There will also be first aid supplies and feminine hygiene products for issues that arise on the course.
Our volunteers are tracking all runners at the aid stations, so please wear your bib visibly on the front of your body.
Half Marathon:
Pass View mile 4
Bowman Bay mile 7
Pass View mile 10.5
10K:
Pass View mile 4
Cut-offs
In order to keep our race on schedule and within the time limits of our permits, we have cut off times at the aid stations. If you are not leaving the aid station by the cut off time, you will be given a ride back to the finish area by staff or volunteers.
Half Marathon:
Pass View mile 4 -- No cutoff at mile 4 for Half Marathon
Bowman Bay, mile 7 -- 12:30pm
Pass View mile 10.5 -- 3:00pm
10K:
Pass View mile 4 -- 5:00pm
Although these are public trails, you are participating on them as a registered participant of our event and by signing up for the race, you agree to follow our rules and conditions for completing (or not completing) the race. Our sweeps will be leaving right at cut off time, taking down course markings with them. If you refuse to leave the course after cut off and end up getting lost or injured, requiring search and rescue, our permitting agency could look at that as negligence on our end (allowing runners on the course with no course markings or after the time we agreed to stop people). We take this rule seriously and as it puts our permits in jeopardy, if any runner violates this rule, they may be subject to a ban from future races.
In order to keep our race on schedule and within the time limits of our permits, we have cut off times at the aid stations. If you are not leaving the aid station by the cut off time, you will be given a ride back to the finish area by staff or volunteers.
Half Marathon:
Pass View mile 4 -- No cutoff at mile 4 for Half Marathon
Bowman Bay, mile 7 -- 12:30pm
Pass View mile 10.5 -- 3:00pm
10K:
Pass View mile 4 -- 5:00pm
Although these are public trails, you are participating on them as a registered participant of our event and by signing up for the race, you agree to follow our rules and conditions for completing (or not completing) the race. Our sweeps will be leaving right at cut off time, taking down course markings with them. If you refuse to leave the course after cut off and end up getting lost or injured, requiring search and rescue, our permitting agency could look at that as negligence on our end (allowing runners on the course with no course markings or after the time we agreed to stop people). We take this rule seriously and as it puts our permits in jeopardy, if any runner violates this rule, they may be subject to a ban from future races.
Drop Bags
No drop bags for the 10K.
Half Marathon runners can have a drop bag at Bowman Bay Aid Station.
For those not familiar with drop bags, it's a way for you to have certain items at specific aid stations. If you like to have a certain kind of nutrition or specific brand of electrolyte, you can put those in your bag and restock at the aid station instead of carrying it the whole way. Some people leave extra layers of clothing, gloves or hats, or dry socks in their bags. Runners are responsible for providing their own bag.
There will be tarps set up at check-in, one for each aid station location, along with duct tape and sharpies. Runners are allowed one bag per location and should be labeled with: name, bib number, and aid station name. Our volunteers will be transporting the bags to to the aid station and back to the finish once they close for the day.
Runners can also leave a drop bag at the finish area for when they are done. Plan to bring the bag during morning check in and there will be a designated tarp/tent to leave it during the race.
No drop bags for the 10K.
Half Marathon runners can have a drop bag at Bowman Bay Aid Station.
For those not familiar with drop bags, it's a way for you to have certain items at specific aid stations. If you like to have a certain kind of nutrition or specific brand of electrolyte, you can put those in your bag and restock at the aid station instead of carrying it the whole way. Some people leave extra layers of clothing, gloves or hats, or dry socks in their bags. Runners are responsible for providing their own bag.
There will be tarps set up at check-in, one for each aid station location, along with duct tape and sharpies. Runners are allowed one bag per location and should be labeled with: name, bib number, and aid station name. Our volunteers will be transporting the bags to to the aid station and back to the finish once they close for the day.
Runners can also leave a drop bag at the finish area for when they are done. Plan to bring the bag during morning check in and there will be a designated tarp/tent to leave it during the race.
Crew Access
Due to limited parking and trail access there is no crew access allowed at the Pass View Aid Station, please follow this rule for everyone's safety and to keep the park managers happy. Thank you!
For the 10K your friends and family can see you, cheer you on and support you at and near the start/finish area East Cranberry Lake. We don't suggest they try to see you anywhere else on the course.
For the Half Marathon your friends and family can see you, cheer you on and support you at the Bowman Bay Aid Station and at/near the start/finish area East Cranberry Lake. We don't suggest they try to see you anywhere else on the course.
Driving Directions to Bowman Bay Aid Station(Half Marathon only):
From the start/finish parking lot drive back out to HWY 20 and turn left at the traffic light. Go across the bridge and turn right onto the first road on the right and then immediately turn right again and head down to the boat ramp/trailhead parking lot. The aid station should be easily spotted by the water/boat ramp.
Getting aid from your friends and family out on the course is against the rules of this race and may result in the runner being disqualified. For the Half Marathon the only place your crew can give or take anything from you is at Bowman Bay Aid Station. For the 10K there is no where on the course your crew can give or take anything from you.
Due to limited parking and trail access there is no crew access allowed at the Pass View Aid Station, please follow this rule for everyone's safety and to keep the park managers happy. Thank you!
For the 10K your friends and family can see you, cheer you on and support you at and near the start/finish area East Cranberry Lake. We don't suggest they try to see you anywhere else on the course.
For the Half Marathon your friends and family can see you, cheer you on and support you at the Bowman Bay Aid Station and at/near the start/finish area East Cranberry Lake. We don't suggest they try to see you anywhere else on the course.
Driving Directions to Bowman Bay Aid Station(Half Marathon only):
From the start/finish parking lot drive back out to HWY 20 and turn left at the traffic light. Go across the bridge and turn right onto the first road on the right and then immediately turn right again and head down to the boat ramp/trailhead parking lot. The aid station should be easily spotted by the water/boat ramp.
Getting aid from your friends and family out on the course is against the rules of this race and may result in the runner being disqualified. For the Half Marathon the only place your crew can give or take anything from you is at Bowman Bay Aid Station. For the 10K there is no where on the course your crew can give or take anything from you.
Volunteers
We always need volunteers on race day and it is a great way to be a part of the event if you are not running. Volunteers earn all kinds of perks; they get to eat and drink for free, are eligible for raffle prizes from our sponsors, and earn credit towards a future Rainshadow race! Volunteer shifts range from just a couple hours in the morning to an all day aid station or something at the finish area. If you are new to volunteering, check out the job descriptions page to find the volunteer gig that is perfect for you! We promise you will have fun!
If you are interested in volunteering for the race, please click the button below:
We always need volunteers on race day and it is a great way to be a part of the event if you are not running. Volunteers earn all kinds of perks; they get to eat and drink for free, are eligible for raffle prizes from our sponsors, and earn credit towards a future Rainshadow race! Volunteer shifts range from just a couple hours in the morning to an all day aid station or something at the finish area. If you are new to volunteering, check out the job descriptions page to find the volunteer gig that is perfect for you! We promise you will have fun!
If you are interested in volunteering for the race, please click the button below:
Post Race Party
Maybe more more fun than the races themselves is the party at the finish! Fresh, delicious pizza handmade on site by our good friends at Pizza Rocks (they do GF and Vegan options grab one of the merry folks and ask them to make something for ya). Local beer and cider. Plus other food and drinks and music and all your running buddies all hanging out and cheering for each other at the finishline.
Maybe more more fun than the races themselves is the party at the finish! Fresh, delicious pizza handmade on site by our good friends at Pizza Rocks (they do GF and Vegan options grab one of the merry folks and ask them to make something for ya). Local beer and cider. Plus other food and drinks and music and all your running buddies all hanging out and cheering for each other at the finishline.
Videos, Photos, Results & Race Reports
Race results will be available on Chronokeep in real time.
Race photos will be available after the race, posted usually a day or two after.
Please share with us your race story, photos, videos, etc. either by emailing them to us at [email protected] or via our Instagram and or Facebook accounts
Race results will be available on Chronokeep in real time.
Race photos will be available after the race, posted usually a day or two after.
Please share with us your race story, photos, videos, etc. either by emailing them to us at [email protected] or via our Instagram and or Facebook accounts
Here's a video from our Deception Pass 50K & 25K which we've been holding each fall since 2011
Lodging & Camping
The closest hotel is the Fidalgo Country Inn, located about 15 miles from the race start. There are plenty of lodging choices available in Anacortes and Oak Harbor, both of which are approximately 20 minutes from the start line.
There is camping in Deception Pass State Park at the Quarry Campground (Cranberry Lake Campground is closed during the winter). Reservations can be made online or by calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
No camping/overnight parking at the start/finish parking lot area.
The closest hotel is the Fidalgo Country Inn, located about 15 miles from the race start. There are plenty of lodging choices available in Anacortes and Oak Harbor, both of which are approximately 20 minutes from the start line.
There is camping in Deception Pass State Park at the Quarry Campground (Cranberry Lake Campground is closed during the winter). Reservations can be made online or by calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
No camping/overnight parking at the start/finish parking lot area.
Cancellations
If You Need to/Choose to Cancel Your Registration
If You Need to/Choose to Cancel Your Registration
Please let us know before event day to let us know you will not be participating. We do not issue refunds, rollovers or transfers but depending on when you fill out the form you may be eligible for a credit. The amount of credit is based on when your cancellation form was submitted. The credit can be used for any Rainshadow event and never expires.
If you cancel more than 30 days before event day: 50% of your entry fee + 100% of merchandise or anything else extra you ordered.
If you cancel 30 days to 7 days before event day: 50% of your entry fee + 50% of merchandise or anything else extra you ordered.
If you cancel less than 7 days before event day or after the event: No credits will be issued. This includes entry fees, merchandise and anything else you ordered.
No rollovers or bib transfers:
We no longer offer rollovers for our events and we do not allow folks to transfer or sell their bib or registration to another person. Any participants who give away their bib, or run under a different name, are subject to being permanently banned from our events.
Pregnancy Deferral:
Anyone who becomes pregnant after registering can defer their entry for up to 3 years. Please email [email protected]
How to Use Your Rainshadow Credit:
Your credit does not have an expiration date and you can choose to use it when you register for any of our events. You can also combine your credit with a coupon code if you have one from volunteering at one of our races in the past or other coupon codes we may have given you in the past. Also if you sign up for an event that costs less than your credit total the remaining credit balance can be used for future Rainshadow events. And if we give you a credit in the future for volunteering or any other reason that credit will be added to your credit balance.
At anytime you can check your Rainshadow Running credit balance by logging into your Webscorer account, navigating to your racer profile and clicking on View participant credit. Also as long as your balance is above zero you'll be shown your credit balance when you register for any of our events and you'll be given the option to use your credit.
To use your credit simply log into your Webscorer account and go through the event registration process as normal and when you get to the section that shows the subtotal and total there will be a question that asks if you want to use your credit. Select yes and hit the "Calculate" button.
If Rainshadow Cancels a Event...
If we have to cancel an event for any reason (COVID, wildfire, acts of nature, etc.) we understand the disappointment to the participants. But it's something that does happen from time to time so you should be aware of that possibility and understand that when signing up there is that risk.
In the event of a cancellation we will do our best to notify folks as soon as we can but sometimes it may be a last minute situation. All participants will be sent an email as soon as possible with information about the cancellation. If the reason for cancelling the event is something out of our control like (dangerous weather, COVID shutdowns, etc.) we will likely offer folks a 50% credit towards a future event. If we are forced to cancel an event once it's already begun no credits will be issued. We do not issue refunds for any reason.
We understand how much money, energy, and time goes into training for these events, so if we can make adjustments to our race plans instead of cancelling, that is our priority, but at the end of the day, the safety of the participants, volunteers, staff, and the general public will be the main factor in our decision to cancel.
Reminder:
By registering for one of our events you agreed to accept the terms of and abide by our cancellation policy, our COVID precautions, our event rules and any other logistics or arrangements you must adhere to. Please don't ask for an exception to our cancellation policies, we've given them a lot of consideration and have tried to be as generous as we can.
If you cancel more than 30 days before event day: 50% of your entry fee + 100% of merchandise or anything else extra you ordered.
If you cancel 30 days to 7 days before event day: 50% of your entry fee + 50% of merchandise or anything else extra you ordered.
If you cancel less than 7 days before event day or after the event: No credits will be issued. This includes entry fees, merchandise and anything else you ordered.
No rollovers or bib transfers:
We no longer offer rollovers for our events and we do not allow folks to transfer or sell their bib or registration to another person. Any participants who give away their bib, or run under a different name, are subject to being permanently banned from our events.
Pregnancy Deferral:
Anyone who becomes pregnant after registering can defer their entry for up to 3 years. Please email [email protected]
How to Use Your Rainshadow Credit:
Your credit does not have an expiration date and you can choose to use it when you register for any of our events. You can also combine your credit with a coupon code if you have one from volunteering at one of our races in the past or other coupon codes we may have given you in the past. Also if you sign up for an event that costs less than your credit total the remaining credit balance can be used for future Rainshadow events. And if we give you a credit in the future for volunteering or any other reason that credit will be added to your credit balance.
At anytime you can check your Rainshadow Running credit balance by logging into your Webscorer account, navigating to your racer profile and clicking on View participant credit. Also as long as your balance is above zero you'll be shown your credit balance when you register for any of our events and you'll be given the option to use your credit.
To use your credit simply log into your Webscorer account and go through the event registration process as normal and when you get to the section that shows the subtotal and total there will be a question that asks if you want to use your credit. Select yes and hit the "Calculate" button.
If Rainshadow Cancels a Event...
If we have to cancel an event for any reason (COVID, wildfire, acts of nature, etc.) we understand the disappointment to the participants. But it's something that does happen from time to time so you should be aware of that possibility and understand that when signing up there is that risk.
In the event of a cancellation we will do our best to notify folks as soon as we can but sometimes it may be a last minute situation. All participants will be sent an email as soon as possible with information about the cancellation. If the reason for cancelling the event is something out of our control like (dangerous weather, COVID shutdowns, etc.) we will likely offer folks a 50% credit towards a future event. If we are forced to cancel an event once it's already begun no credits will be issued. We do not issue refunds for any reason.
We understand how much money, energy, and time goes into training for these events, so if we can make adjustments to our race plans instead of cancelling, that is our priority, but at the end of the day, the safety of the participants, volunteers, staff, and the general public will be the main factor in our decision to cancel.
Reminder:
By registering for one of our events you agreed to accept the terms of and abide by our cancellation policy, our COVID precautions, our event rules and any other logistics or arrangements you must adhere to. Please don't ask for an exception to our cancellation policies, we've given them a lot of consideration and have tried to be as generous as we can.
Contact Us
Questions? The race directors for this race and all Rainshadow Running races are Katy Farrell and James Varner.
Email us at [email protected]
Questions? The race directors for this race and all Rainshadow Running races are Katy Farrell and James Varner.
Email us at [email protected]