Cycling & running events in Seattle, 2026

Seattle Training Notes

Running: Seattle runners keep the easy miles on Green Lake, the Burke-Gilman Trail, Lake Union, and the Arboretum. Green Lake gives locals inner and outer loops for quick Z2 laps. Lake Union gives runners a loop that is about 6 miles and works for steady base miles. Discovery Park has good trails, and the main loop runs about 3 miles through Magnolia. Interlaken and the Arboretum give hill work when flat paths feel too kind. Seattle Running Club meets Thursday at 6:00 pm from Garfield Community Center, and Flying Lion Brewing gets Monday miles. Cougar Mountain Trail Run Series, Bridle Trails Winter Running Festival, All City Mile, Torchlight 5k, and Rock-N-Roll Marathon all work as anchor races.

Cycling: Seattle riders have road, path, gravel, and mixed-terrain days without leaving the orbit of the city. Lake Washington Boulevard, Mercer Island Loop, Burke-Gilman Trail, Elliott Bay Trail, Alki Trail, and North Lake Washington Trail Loop all get regular use. Cascade Bicycle Club runs free group rides 365 days a year, and COGS rides Wednesday evenings and weekends. Coffee Outside Seattle meets Wednesday mornings at 7am, and Moxie Monday meets at Westlake at 6pm. The climb is 2 km, so locals go there for intervals. Queen Anne, Magnolia, North Seattle, and the 520 Trail through Yarrow, Hunts, and Evergreen Points bring the climbs. Chilly Hilly, STP, RSVP, and Seattle Bike n’ Brews give the calendar its anchor events.

Season: Seattle works year-round because the marine climate stays mild, even when winter turns cool and wet. Summer gives runners and riders mild, relatively dry days, with Fremont Solstice Parade in June, STP in July, Seafair through July and August, and RSVP in August. Snoqualmie Tunnel stays open from May through November, so gravel days can stretch toward Hyak when the timing lines up. Winter shifts the rhythm toward layers, lights, rain gear, and shorter weekday sessions. Bridle Trails Winter Running Festival keeps runners honest, and Chilly Hilly gives cyclists a February suffer-fest that still feels very Seattle. Locals keep base miles, Z2, and muddy cyclocross legs in the mix.