Meet Me at Waterfront Park 5K

Thanks so much to everyone who has registered for the first-ever Meet Me at Waterfront Park 5K, presented by Brooks Running. We can't wait to see you on Saturday, May 31 for this historic event!  
 
Not signed up yet? It’s not too late – register today!  

This race kicks off the Grand Opening Season of Waterfront Park—a celebration years in the making. It’s the first major event of its kind in this brand-new space, and your participation helps launch a new era of public life on the waterfront. Whether you’re walking, running or dashing, we’re excited to welcome you to your new Waterfront Park! 

Below are details for packet pick up, race day details, an FAQ and more.  
 
There’s a lot to get through, but we promise this information will make your race day smoother!  
 
Pre-Race Packet Pickup:
Skip the race day lines, sleep in a little, pick up your stuff before race day. You may pick up other people’s packets. Anyone who picks up at either of our packet pickup options will be entered in to win a pair of Brooks running shoes!  
 
Thursday, May 29 
3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Packet Pickup at West Seattle Runner 
2743 California Ave SW Seattle, WA 98116 
West Seattle Runner has generously offered 10% off your entire purchase when you show your bib, if you need to pick up any pre-race essentials!  
 
Friday, May 30  
4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Packet Pickup at Brooks Trailhead 
3400 Stone Way N Seattle, WA 98103 
Bring in your race bib into the Brooks Trailhead store after the race (May 31 – June 30) for a one-time 15% discount off of all Brooks products. Thank you to the Brooks team for their generous partnership!  
 
Race Day Schedule:
Saturday, May 31 
6:30 a.m. Registration and packet pick up opens 
7:00 a.m. Alaskan Way, south bound lanes, close to traffic 
7:55 a.m. Wave 1 Starts 
8:05 a.m. Kids Dash Start 
8:20 a.m. Wave 2 Start (may experience ferry interruptions) 
8:40 a.m. Wave 3 Start (likely to experience ferry interruptions) 
9:00 a.m. Awards & Prizes 
9:30 a.m. Alaskan Way southbound opens to vehicles 
10:00 a.m. Community Celebration begins, open to non-race participants as well  
10:00 a.m. Post-race stretch with Mother Yoga 
10:45 a.m. Live Beats by DeeJay Hershe 
11:25 a.m. The Pazifics on Main Stage on Pier 62 
12:45 p.m. Day Soul on Main Stage on Pier 62 
2:00 p.m. Community Celebration ends 
 
Location:
Pier 62 at 1951 Alaskan Way Seattle, WA 98101 
Details on how to get to the park are available on the Friends website. Registration and check-in will be located in the plaza outside of Seattle Aquarium’s new Ocean Pavilion. The start line is on Alaskan Way near the Pike Street Hillclimb and Ocean Pavilion, and the finish line is at Pier 62, along with the post-race Community Celebration.  
 
Wave Start Details: 
Thank you to our wave sponsors: The Edgewater, Inn at the Market and Martin Smith Inc! 
 
7:55 a.m. Wave 1 
This wave is if you care about your finish time and do not want to get stopped by ferry traffic. You will have 35 minutes of uninterrupted run time. Past 35 minutes you might get stopped for vehicles entering or exiting the ferry terminal.  
 
8:20 a.m. Wave 2 
This wave is if you mostly care about your time, but it also wouldn't bother you too much to stop to let a car or two through at the ferry terminal.  
 
8:40 a.m. Wave 3 
The casual runner or walker wave! If you are just out with your family or friends enjoying the new waterfront and would actually welcome a little break to let a few ferry cars through. You will have until 10:00 a.m. to reach the halfway point (1.55 miles), as the closed portion of Alaskan Way reopens after that.  
 
Parking and Transportation 
We strongly encourage participants to consider taking public transportation, rideshare services, or carpooling. Metro Transit offers bus and light rail routes that take you within a 15-minute walk of the waterfront. Visit King County's website to plan your trip. Visitors coming from West Seattle and Vashon Island can take a 15-minute Water Taxi ride and disembark at Pier 50. 
 
If you plan to drive, please allow ample time for parking and note that Alaskan Way southbound between the Seattle Aquarium and S. will be closed to traffic between 7:00 – 10:00 a.m. on race day. 
 
Pike Place Market Garage is the closest garage to the start and has two entrances on Western Avenue: 

• 1531 Western Avenue, Seattle, WA map
• 1901 Western Avenue, Seattle, WA map

Other nearby lot options include Republic Parking and the Hillclimb Garage. 
 
Free Parking: 
Thank you to First & Goal for providing complimentary parking for up to 1,100 participants at the Lumen Field garage, located at 330 S Royal Brougham Way!

• To park at this garage, you will need to show the parking voucher given to you at packet pick up to the attendant as you enter the garage.
  • All vehicles using this parking voucher must exit the garage by 2 p.m., or you will be charged the full daily rate.
•  This garage is about a mile away from the starting line, but the free Waterfront Shuttle will be available to pick you up from Occidental Ave S. and S. Royal Brougham, running every 15 minutes from 6:00 – 10:00 a.m. You will be dropped off at Western Ave and University Street, about two blocks from check-in and the starting line.
• The Waterfront Shuttle will run on its normal schedule after 10 a.m., and will return you to King Street Station. 

 
Metered street parking is available throughout downtown. Please note street parking has a limited two- or four-hour-time limit, so plan accordingly. Visit downtownseattleparking.org for more information about parking in downtown Seattle. 
 
Parking apps like SpotHero, ParkWhiz or Parkopedia allow you to book a parking spot downtown ahead of time.   
 
Course Info & FAQs:  

• View the 5K course map on MapMyRun 
• Will there be water available? How about snacks?
  • There will be one aid station on the 5K course serving water, at the turnaround point on S Massachusetts. Thank you to Reuse Seattle for providing reusable cups and allowing us to reduce waste!
  • You will be well fed and hydrated at the finish with Boon Boona coffee, Partner's Crackers, Talking Rain, That’s It Fruit Bars and the Amazon Banana Stand. There will also be multiple food trucks at the Community Celebration on Pier 62 selling additional refreshments.
• The course crosses over the entrance to the Ferry Terminal at Colman Dock, will I be stopped?
  • This 5K takes place on an active waterfront, and you will have to cross over the ferry terminal traffic lanes. We have worked very closely with Washington State Ferries and the Port of Seattle to inform race start times and avoid as much traffic as possible. However, there is still a good chance that you will be stopped if you are in Waves 2 and 3. Please listen to the traffic officers and course monitors as they will be assisting both drivers and 5K participants to minimize impacts for everyone. The quicker we are able to pause for ferries, the quicker we can get you back running or walking and we of course will have plenty of fun with surprises along the way to make it go quicker if you are stopped!
• How long is the Kids Dash and where is the starting line?
  • The kids dash is a free .25 mile run for kids 12 and under. Please check in at the kid's registration tent and they will receive a race bib. The course begins at the same start line as the full race. Please feel free to run with your kids or simply cheer them on at the finish line, and each child participating will receive a prize at the finish!
• Is there a time limit?
  • Participants may walk the 5K, and while there’s no time limit the closed portion of Alaskan Way will be re-opened at 10 a.m., so participants should clear the halfway point (1.55 miles) prior to that time.  
• Will there be toilets along the route?
  • There will be no toilets along the route. Please go before you start!
• I need family-friendly spaces like a changing table – will that be available?
  • We will have a baby changing station with a changing table, wipes and changing pads and a nursing station in a private, relaxed tent for anyone that needs it. 
• I have other accessibility needs – who can I reach out to?
  • Please email accessibility@waterfrontparkseattle.org with any questions or specific accommodation requests for events. Learn more about accessibility at Waterfront Park.  
• Will there be parking?
  • Please review the “Parking & Transportation” section above, with options we’ve compiled for parking, transit and the free Waterfront shuttle. Parking on the Waterfront can be very limited, please consider carpooling, taking a ride share, biking or busing, and arriving early to allow enough time.
  • Please also note that the 2 Southbound Alaskan Way lanes will be closed starting at 7:00am. 
• Will gear check be available?
  • There will be a secure gear check available. Please do not leave any valuable items as we are not responsible for lost or stolen items. Gear check will close at 10:30am.
• When do I get my t-shirt and commemorative finisher’s pin?
  • You will receive your shirt when you pick up your bibs. You will receive your commemorative finisher’s pin when you cross the finish line! 
• What is the Community Celebration?
  • Join us after the 5K for a free post-race Community Celebration featuring live music performances, local food and drink vendors, and activities for the whole family on Overlook Walk and Pier 62.
• When can I view results from the race?
  • Results will be posted on our website immediately after crossing the finish line, and we will email participants with follow up results as well. Prizes for top 3 male, female and non-binary runners in the 5K include Brooks running gear and gift certificates, with bonus prizes for a number of surprise categories! First place finisher in each age group will receive a small prize. 
• Can I bring a stroller?
  • Strollers are welcome, but we ask that you line up at the back of the starting line. 
• Can my dog run or walk with me?
  • Due to insurance and liability, dogs will not be allowed on the course, but will be allowed at the Community Celebration as long as they are on a leash. 
• Can I bike, scooter, or ride my unicycle during the race?
  • Scooters, bikes or unicycles will not be allowed on the course. 

 
Additional support for the Meet Me at Waterfront Park 5K is provided by the Gates Foundation, WeWork, Amazon, Microsoft and Port of Seattle.  
 
Wow - you made it to the end! Thanks for reading through everything and getting well-prepared for race day. We can’t wait to meet you at Waterfront Park this Saturday, May 31!  
 
Happy running, walking, or strolling, from the whole team at Friends of Waterfront Park