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Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon

North Bend, WA
Sunday, July 26, 2026


  4.4 Stars from 11 Reviews
Top 50 Best Boston Qualifying Marathon for 2026

Course Description
13.1 miles flat, 13.1 miles downhill...This net-downhill, point-to-point course is designed for negative splits, PRs, and Boston Qualifying times. Run a smooth rail trail through the Cascade Mountains and the iconic Snoqualmie Tunnel.

The Jack & Jill's Downhill Marathon course begins at Stampede Pass and follows the scenic Palouse to Cascades Trail toward Snoqualmie Pass. After returning to Hyak, the course continues along the rail trail toward the finish at Garcia in North Bend.

The first half of the marathon is mostly flat and runnable, followed by a long, gradual downhill for the final 13 miles— a profile designed for strong negative splits and fast finishes.

The race features both a Saturday and Sunday marathon and is run on a smooth, hard-packed gravel rail trail.

July Other Marathons in July Other Marathons in Washington Marathons near North Bend, WA



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Race Information

Race Dates

2027: TBD
2026: Sunday, July 26, 2026

Course Information

Profile: Downhill
Type: Point to Point
Surface: Trail

Boston Qualifier?: Yes
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: Yes

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 66°F (18°C)
Average High: 78°F (25°C)
Average Low: 55° F (12°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 100.30
Course Score: 101.72

Race Size

2026: 325 Finishers
2025: 715 Finishers
2024: 701 Finishers
2023: 510 Finishers
2022: 515 Finishers
2021: 635 Finishers

BQ Percentages

2026: 20.9%
2025: 32.2%
2024: 30.1%
2023: 30.6%
2022: 28.2%
2021: 28.2%

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: Yes

Weather Averages for Last 11 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 79°F  (26°C)
Low: 54°F  (12°C)

Race Start Conditions

57°F  (14°C)
Humidity: 87%

Partially cloudy
SSW 2 mph

PR Score

102.49

Course Score

104.63






Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon was the 111th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 107th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2026, 20.9% of Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon finishers have achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2025, 32.2% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon ranked 17th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and currently ranks 28th so far in 2026. In Washington, it ranked 2nd in 2025 and 4th so far in 2026. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for comparing the Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon with other Boston Marathon qualifying races.

The Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon has a Course Score of 101.72, ranking it as the 17th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 8th fastest marathon course in Washington.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon a PR Score of 100.30. The PR Score ranks the Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon as the 29th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 9th best marathon for a PR in Washington.

Together, these rankings provide a quick snapshot of how the Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon compares with other marathons in the U.S. and Washington for speed, PR potential, Boston Marathon qualifying success, and overall participation.

Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed17th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 8th fastest marathon course in Washington
Top 4% Nationally#8 of 26 in Washington
PR Potential29th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 9th best marathon for a PR in Washington
Top 7% Nationally#9 of 26 in Washington
Boston Qualifier Rate17th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 2nd highest BQ percentage in Washington
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 4% Nationally#2 of 24 in Washington
Race Size111th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 5th largest marathon in Washington
Based on 2025 results
Top 19% Nationally#5 of 32 in Washington

Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 2578 feet (785m)
Min Elevation: 1696 feet (517m)

Elevation Gain: 267 feet (81m)
Elevation Loss: 1300 feet (396m)


Jack

Course updated 06/23/2026




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Race Reviews


4.4
Based on 11 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Hope you like gravel

Full Review:

Beautiful course. New version swaps hard packed trail for gravel trail. The tunnel is at mile 13 now, so it's 2.4 miles carrying a light and barely being able to see. Pretty much running it solo because the pack has broken up. No pacers below 3:40.

Race Tips:

Don't wear alphafly, vaporfly or any other shoe with a gap in the bottom unless you want to run with gravel in the bottom slot.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Nothing like a mile walk downhill on a pretty steep dirt road, to take a 20 minute bus ride so you can walk a kilometer to your car.
Reviewed by Signed up for 26.2 got 28 About 2026

Serious runners on a seriously fast course

Full Review:

The race is downhill at a 1-2% grade almost the entire way. Just perfect to cruise at high speed- never too steep that you have to brake. Course is like a dirt road, for the most part, a little uneven and more rocky at first. You need to keep more of an eye on the road than a pavement or asphalt race. There is a flat part at the end for 2-3 miles, then back to steady down for the finish.

Race Tips:

The tunnel is right at the beginning of the race. It has a high roof so is not claustrophobic or stuffy. I ran three abreast in there, and passing would have been difficult. The surface was packed dirt, slightly tacky and wet. Some people had on ponchos at the start because the tunnel has some water dripping from the ceiling in places. I didn't mind, but these runners were prepared.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Bib pickup Saturday was a bit of a chore. Hour long line at 3. Maybe wait until later during the pickup period to get your bib if possible. You can have race day bib pickup (this is not disclosed in the FAQ). I would have done that had I known. Bib pickup is 30 miles out of Seattle, and the race start is an hour out, so that would have saved a couple of hours. The town where bib pickup is is very pretty though with ice cream and family activities, so making a day of it wouldn't be so bad.
Reviewed by wer About 2025

Perfect race

Full Review:

The gentle downhill grade is absolutely perfect for a fast time. Weather was also ideal and course was beautiful. Whats not to like?

Race Tips:

One draw back is loose rock and gravel throughout the course. I don't think it slows you down much but you do need to be aware of where you're stepping

Travel/Logistics Tips:

This is a somewhat low key race so bib pick up, start, finish were relatively small and relaxed compared to other races
Reviewed by BA About 2024

Jack & Jill Downhill...is chill fun

Full Review:

I loved everything about the race, well organized, great pacers, awesome volunteers, fantastic Tshirt and medal 🏅 A must do. Great trail with awesome view and simply enjoyable run....
I highly recommend this as MUST do...

Race Tips:

The shoe you wear on this gravel trail will make or break your race. Make sure it's got grip and very well broken into.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Book your hotel well in advance to get good deals, not a ton of choices that that are convenient as it's out in the national park. If you can get someone to drop you off, you'll get a bonus 1hr of sleep
Reviewed by SG About 2024

Awesome race!

Full Review:

Everything was great. Only complaint was the wait time to get a bus back to car after race.

Race Tips:

Had extreme heat warnings so definitely want to hydrate days before the race.
Reviewed by Melissa About 2022

If you're looking to BQ this is it!

Full Review:

For 2021, the weather was great and the two COVID modifications were a rolling start and no pacers. Pre-race communication was a bit sparse (I'm guessing a lot of details were being sorted on the fly due to COVID) but come race weekend, everything went smoothly. I had set out hoping to run 3:45 and ended up with a 3:35 - BQ'd by 15 minutes! The downhill grade is perfect - enough to make every mile feel effortless, but not steep enough to shred your quads. The trail is packed gravel which isn't perfect, but given how I ran, I guess it isn't much of a factor!

Race Tips:

GPS: My Garmin Forerunner 245 logged the race at 26.34 miles so I'd say it was pretty close

Pace: Unless you have experience with these downhill marathons, consider running based on effort, not pace. I had set out targeting 8:30 miles but once settled in, found my average pace at 8:10. I initially panicked but the miles kept clicking by effortlessly and I decided to roll with it. Ran out of gas in the final mile but that's what I had expected. Average pace turned out 8:12 - way faster than planned but that's the beauty of this course!

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Rent a car and stay in Issaquah. Bonus if you can find a friend/spouse to drive you to the start then meet you at the finish. It's a small race so car access at the start and finish are easy
Reviewed by Norm About 2021

Lack of communication

Full Review:

Good course overall, but a little too warm to run it in July. The tunnel is awful. Watch your step. Also, I gave a volunteer something to hold at the finish line. He promised to do so. It was not delivered. The race director did not return my inquiry about this item. Communications leave a bit to be desired. They run a highly desirable race by runners, and they know it and act like it.

Race Tips:

Do NOT lose time in the tunnel. That is easy to do. Stay with a pace group if your timer is not working. Pacer was great. Satellite signals are suspect here.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Hotel choice is not great nearby. Parking is kind of messy at the start.
Reviewed by DC About 2019

Course is near perfection

Full Review:

The steady gradual downhill is just enough to give you an extra, maybe 10s per mile advantage. I've never run a course where the pitch is so perfect the whole way. Not enough to trash your quads, just enough to give you an edge. On course support was typical/basic. Water every 2 miles or so. Only a few had gatorade. Don't expect nutrition/gu's- bring you own. Beast Pacers! a plus.

It's a small, friendly race. Easy 'overhead' getting to and from the start/finish. Not a lot of on-course spectator options- but a few. Plenty of food, water, sports drink at the finish. Nice medals and shirts. Seems like everything was well organized and taken care of by the RD (USA Endurance Events).

Scenery is a 10. Plus- the course is mostly in the shade, even on sunny days. Nice

The Tunnel is a fun feature of the event. Bring your headlamp (toss it in a bin at the end of the tunnel and they bring them to the finish). It's a perfect 54F. Watch your step as there are sections in there that are a bit more uneven. Here's the answer to everyone's question: Yes- my Garmin (a Fenix 3HR) did a pretty decent job keeping pace and distance through the 2.5mi long tunnel. Perhaps it went into treadmill mode? Dunno'. YMMV.

There's no 'expo'. Just a packet pickup. Where they had some fairly nice J&J Marathon caps, jackets, hoodies, shirts, inexpensive headlamps, etc for sale. Oh- the had free pace band temporary tattoos there! cool.

Race Tips:

Just ran it this year (2018)- and many (not all) of the on-course mile markers were pretty far off. So- this drove a lot of people crazy (i.e. including me) trying to use them to manage pace via a pace band. The 20mi split, for instance, was totally inaccurate. It was short... indicating you were going much faster than you really were.

The course is hard packed double track dirt/gravel road. While trail shoes are not necessary, I'd recommend shoes with enough thickness for some protection against some of the pointy rocks. If I ran it again- I might use my faster trail shoes- whose tread would get a bit more bite into the dirt vs a road shoe tread that has a bit of slippage with each step.

My Garmin ended up with a total distance of 26.5mi- which is fairly normal for a marathon. However, its instantaneous pace readout was mostly unusable. the trees and steep hillside seemed to affect its pace accuracy during the race. Which is why I was relying on the mile markers.... which were a mess!

Travel/Logistics Tips:

The fact that this is a two day event- with Two fulls, and two half marathons, made it great for a group activity- destination event. If you have a driver- staying near the start in Snoqualmie Pass is a fine idea. You just need a ride back up the hill after the race.
Reviewed by morey About 2018

Full Review:

This was an amazing marathon in terms of the shirt, medal, and course scenery. I personally wasn't a fan of the gravel road that the course is on. I don't think it's a good surface for people that have had previous ankle and/or knee issues. The course didn't feel especially fast to me and I didn't find it very shaded on such a hot and sunny day. I think this is a great destination race, but for me it wasn't a PR course.

Race Tips:

Definitely start conservatively or you will suffer dearly later. Also be aware there are very few bathroom options on the course.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

You probably want to research where to stay. I picked Seattle and it was quite the drive. Getting to the start was easy.
Reviewed by MT About 2018

Full Review:

Loved the course but I do recommend you train trail or at the least dirt roads. Its a different feel than street or road running. The scenery and temperatures were great. Don't plan on anything fancy for race support. Its trail and its small, less than 600 full marathoners.

Race Tips:

Train on some trails or dirt road. We still did most our training on the street but at least once and sometimes twice we did dirt roads. Highly recommend that. Also carry your own water. Water stations every three miles in the first half felt a little long to me.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

We stayed in downtown Bellevue which was beautiful with lots of restaurants and grocery store within walking distance. It was 20 minutes to drive to shuttle pick up and end of the race.
Reviewed by AE About 2017

Exceptional course to BQ or PR

Full Review:

Beautiful course, ideal weather, slight downhill, perfect course to crush a PR or get your BQ.

Race Tips:

It's a hard packed gravel path so wear sturdy sneakers and be aware there is a 2 mile tunnel so you need a flashlight.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Logistics are well organized. I stayed in downtown Seattle and it was only a half hour away.
Reviewed by JR About 2017