From the challenging Doomsday Hill along the Bloomsday 12K course that 50,000 participants set out to tackle each year to the scenic and peaceful lakeside views along two Northern Idaho marathon courses, learn more about these destination races in Spokane and nearby Northern Idaho.

(Feature image: Bloomsday; Photo courtesy of Bloomsday)

While Spokane is a year-round travel destination for outdoors enthusiasts, offering everything from skiing and snowshoeing to backpacking adventures, spring and fall are the seasons for destination races. Both seasons bring crisp, comfortable temps and gorgeous landscapes, ideal for those who love a scenic race course.

Scenic does not necessarily mean flat, however. Several of these destination races in Spokane and nearby Northern Idaho offer a challenge. The annual Bloomsday 12K starts and ends in the downtown Spokane area. It travels a challenging course throughout the west side of town and up the infamous Doomsday Hill. Two lakeside marathon courses in Northern Idaho, the CDA Marathon and Hayden Lake Marathon, stick close to the water and see elevation gains of more than 1,000 and 2,000 feet, respectively.

But this list of destination races in Spokane wouldn’t be complete without a couple of trail runs. Choose from an approachable course in Spokane’s Riverside State Park or a higher-altitude challenge in Mount Spokane State Park. Both offer 25K, 10K, and 5K options.

Explore details of these seven destination races in Spokane and Northern Idaho, listed by calendar date.

• Spokane River Run
• Bloomsday
• Windermere Marathon
• CDA Marathon
• Mt. Spokane Trail Run
• The Boulevard Race
• Hayden Lake Marathon

Looking for more information on running in Spokane? Read our Spokane City Guide.

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Spokane River Run

April | Spokane | 50K, 50K Team Relay, 25K, 25K Challenge, 10K, 5K
The Spokane River Run takes runners along single-track trails through Riverside State Park, located at the northwest corner of Spokane. The 25K, 10K, and 5K routes are loops, and the 50K is a figure-eight-shaped course. If the regular 25K course isn’t enough of a challenge, the 25K Challenge delivers a more technical route with greater elevation gain. There’s also an option to run the 50K yourself or with a relay team of four. A Washington State Discover Pass is required, which you can purchase for the day. Race proceeds support Spokane-area educational and cross country programs.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 60 degrees; low of 37 degrees; average of 47 degrees
• Course Elevation Change: 2,105-foot gain (50K and 50K Relay); 1,223-foot gain (25K Challenge); 857-foot gain (25K); 353-foot gain (10K); 187-foot gain (5K)
• Historical Results: https://results.raceroster.com/v2/en-US/results/6vp4mkcc5m6at9ua/results?subEvent=163206&page=1
• Time Limit: 50K has a checkpoint cut-off time (refer to the race website’s FAQ for more details)
• Race Swag: T-shirt, 25K and 50K finisher medals
• Distance from Airport: 15-minute drive minutes from Spokane International Airport

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Bloomsday

May | Spokane | 12K
The Bloomsday 12K (7.46 miles) has been running through Spokane since 1977 and has gained a large following over the years, from families that have been participating in the event for generations to professional runners who stack the elite field. Starting in downtown with color-coded wave start times, the course takes runners along several hilly, tree-lined streets to the west side of town, passing Spokane Falls Community College before heading downhill to cross the Spokane River. That’s where you’ll meet your challenge at Doomsday Hill (around the 4.5-mile mark), an uphill climb measuring about three-quarters of a mile long — don’t worry, you’ll see it coming from afar! Continue through the neighborhoods and along Broadway, then take your last turn toward downtown to cross the finish line.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 67 degrees; low of 45 degrees; average of 56 degrees
• Course Elevation Change: Not listed (expect hills)
• Historical Results: https://bloomsdayrun.org/results/all-finishers/
• Time Limit: Streets open at 1:30 p.m. (about 3 hours after the last wave starts)
• Race Swag: 50-50 blend T-shirt
• Prize Money: Prize money is awarded to the top 15 men and women finishers; top three men and women master’s finishers; top five men and women U.S. citizen finishers; and top men, women, and master’s wheelchair finishers.
• Distance from Airport: 12-minute drive from Spokane International Airport

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Windermere Marathon

May | Spokane | Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
The Windermere Marathon highlights Spokane’s Centennial Trail, which extends for nearly 40 miles in Washington state and continues into Idaho. All race distances except for the half marathon are on an out-and-back course. Half marathon participants take a shuttle to the start in Spokane Valley (the turnaround point for the full marathon). Along the marathon, half marathon, and 10K courses, you’ll pass by Gonzaga University before looping into downtown Spokane and finishing in Riverfront Park. Cool down in the post-race area before heading into nearby downtown or Kendall Yards for a bite to eat.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 67 degrees; low of 45 degrees; average of 56 degrees
• Course Elevation Change: 516-foot gain (marathon); 179-foot gain (half marathon); 139-foot gain (10K); 66-foot gain (5K)
• Historical Results: https://results.raceroster.com/v2/en-US/results/9gxbd44x4bxz2avh/results?subEvent=165992&page=1
• Time Limit: Marathon participants must reach the 13.1 turnaround by 8:15 a.m. (There is an option for an early 5 a.m. start time.)
• Race Swag: T-shirt, finisher’s medal, finisher’s photo
• Distance from Airport: 12-minute drive from Spokane International Airport

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CDA Marathon

May | Coeur d’Alene, Idaho | Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
This USATF-certified, Boston-qualifying course isn’t a flat and fast race, but it sure is a scenic one. All distances start and end in McEuen Park near downtown Coeur d’Alene and travel through the quaint lakeside neighborhood streets. The full marathon runs east along the Centennial Trail between the lake and Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive. It’s a gorgeous out and back that turns around at Higgens Point. The course then meets up with the half marathon route to continue along the Centennial Trail, west of downtown Coeur d’Alene. This part of the route eventually splits from the Centennial Trail onto Prairie Trail heading north and turns around at the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. After the race, spend the afternoon downtown wandering the shops and grab a bite to eat on the patio of Crafted Tap House + Kitchen.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 66 degrees; low of 44 degrees; average of 55 degrees
• Course Elevation Change: 1,233-foot gain (marathon); 532-foot gain (half marathon); 309-foot gain (10K); 166-foot gain (5K)
• Historical Results: https://results.raceroster.com/v2/en-US/results/ra24wknaxwxk5pjn/results
• Time Limit: Course closes at 1:30 p.m. (There is an option for an early marathon start time of 5:30 a.m.)
• Race Swag: T-shirt, finisher’s medal, finisher’s photo
• Distance from Airport: 45-minute drive from Spokane International Airport

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Mt. Spokane Trail Run

September | Spokane | 25K, 10K, 5K
For trail runners looking for a challenge with rewarding scenery, the Mt. Spokane Trail Run delivers. The drive up to the starting point at Selkirk Lodge is breathtaking. In the winter, this area serves as a Nordic ski area. In the summer, it’s popular among hikers, trail runners, and huckleberry foragers (bears and humans alike). Your starting elevation here is 4,200 feet, and the 25K course summits two mountains: Mt. Spokane and Mt. Kit Carson. No summits on the 10K or 5K courses, but plenty of beautiful views along the trails. You’ll need a Washington State Discover Pass to get into the park; a one-day pass can be purchased online.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 74 degrees; low of 49 degrees; average of 61 degrees
• Course Elevation Change: 3,396-foot gain (25K); 1,398-foot gain (10K); 643-foot gain (5K)
• Historical Results: https://results.raceroster.com/v2/en-US/results/nvbcn7pdzczur5vj/results
• Time Limit: 5.5 hours (25K)
• Race Swag: T-shirt, finisher’s medal, finisher’s photo
• Distance from Airport: 60-minute drive from Spokane International Airport

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The Boulevard Race

September | Spokane | 4 Miles
Nearly 2,000 runners and walkers crossed the finish line in 2023 for the inaugural 4-mile race. The Boulevard Race runs along Spokane’s downtown streets, ending right in front of Riverfront Park. An optional VIP entry is available, which includes access to a pre-race tented area with private restrooms, then complimentary food and beverages after the race. Spectators watch top athletes test their speed for a chance at part of the $10,000 race purse. Race proceeds support the Community Cancer Fund.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 74 degrees; low of 49 degrees; average of 61 degrees
• Course Elevation Change: Not listed
• Historical Results: https://results.raceroster.com/v2/en-US/results/mxtjvavqdj2djg3e/results
• Time Limit: Not listed
• Race Swag: T-shirt designed by The Great PNW
• Prize Money: Top three male and female runners receive $2,500 (first place), $1,500 (second place), and $1,000 (third place)
• Distance from Airport: 12-minute drive minutes from Spokane International Airport

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Hayden Lake Marathon

October | Hayden Lake, Idaho | Marathon, Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon, 5K
Located north of Coeur d’Alene, Honeysuckle Beach is the start and finish for all distances. The full marathon circles the entire lake, offering plenty of scenic views. This peaceful course passes horse pastures and farms, dips into the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, and challenges runners along hilly tree-lined roads. The half marathon course runs adjacent to the Idaho Panhandle National Forest for a couple of miles on the way out, then adjacent to a golf course on the way back; the quarter marathon (6.637 miles) circles the golf course. Stay in the Coeur d’Alene area after the race or head back to Spokane — both are easy drives.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 58 degrees; low of 39 degrees; average of 49 degrees
• Course Elevation Change: 2,454-foot change (marathon); 853-foot change (half marathon); 318-foot change (quarter marathon); 115-foot gain (5K)
• Historical Results: https://results.raceroster.com/v2/en-US/results/ndsadat7wdy7b5mc/results
• Time Limit: Course closes at 2 p.m. (5.5 hours after the marathon start time; 5 hours after the half marathon start time)
• Race Swag: T-shirt, finisher’s medal, post-race meal
• Distance from Airport: 50-minute drive from Spokane International Airport

*Average Race Month Weather is based on the National Weather Service’s historical data.

Visit the Spokane City Guide for more information about places to run, running stores, running groups, and where to eat and drink in and around Spokane.

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