Events
Place
8498 Seaview Pl NW
Seattle, WA US 98117
Description
9/12/23 UPDATE: This year's event is postponed. All sign up and donations will be returned. Race director will reach out directly to all who have signed up and donated with details. We will still be honoring Tim in another way this year - more to come on that as plans are finalized.
2023, Year 2 Updates: In honor of Ballard native and our friend / husband / brother / dad / son Tim Nygard who his wife Alicia so beautifully stated "was welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus - his body restored, healed & whole again" on March 18th 2023, we are making a few changes to the event this year. Tim's peace and calm throughout his 3 year battle with colon cancer was an inspiration to so many, and we aim to honor and remember Tim, and others our Ballard Beast community has lost. Rx event will be run at half-staff, removing the 2 bike loops from last year. We are also adding a 5.2K "In Honor Of" run / walk.
The Ballard Beast is a unique event*, celebrating the seafaring origins, geography, and community of Ballard - fueled by a belief that fitness and shared experiences are vital to the strength of our communities. Rx Athletes will take on two beautiful loops that includes Shilshole beach, Shilshole marina, and Sunset Hill park. Athletes will be challenged physically and mentally as they take on new modalities each loop: run (1 loop), run with a weighted backpack or vest (1 loop). 10 Hydro-burbees (wade in mid thigh, and drop down to bottom of a push up) will greet the participants at the transition. The race creator is a Ballard native, and grew up on the course. Years running, walking, and riding the course have inspired bringing the Ballard Beast to life. Join us in this 2nd annual event!
5.2K Run / Walk "In Honor Of" Athletes take on one lap of the run course described above. In addition to honoring loved ones with outfits, participants are encouraged to bring quotes, prayers, or other positive thoughts inspired by those they're walking in honor of. At Sunset Hill park words will be collected, and then upon completion at Golden Garden beach they will be read aloud if desired, and added to the bonfire.
If you'd like to participate, but don't to want break a sweat, we need volunteers! See sign up details in "Volunteer" tab above.
*Open course, following rules of the road. Given this, not an officially timed race. Completion and community are the goal. In future years, based on athlete and community input, we may evolve event to include a closed course / officially timed race.
Course Description & Maps
Event start, end, and transition zone is in Golden Gardens Park. Volunteers will be stationed throughout the course to ensure athletes stay safe and on course. Athletes will start the run & ruck loops by going north on foot path west of Golden Gardens Park Rd, and then right through a pedestrian tunnel. Another right, and then up the Golden Gardens Drive NW sidewalk. Then left up stairs, past dog park, and continue up stairs to the top at intersection of 85th and 32nd. All loops then continue south on 32nd, until they arrive at 77th, where they turn right / west on 77th toward 34th and Sunset Hill Park. Once on 34th, athletes proceed south along 34th to 65th. A right turn on 65th, then a left on 36th, and another right on 61st (which turns left into 38th) brings athletes under the train crossing and to the Burke Gilman trail that runs parallel to Seaview. Athletes head north on the Burke Gilman trail back to Golden Gardens Park, with the start / finish line being just west of the parking lot on the south west corner of the park. For hydro burpees, Rx athletes first come to the transition zone, head to the beach to complete the burpees in Puget Sound, then back to the transition zone to prepare and launch next leg of the race. After 1 run loop, 10 hydro burpees, and 1 weighted backpack ("ruck") or vest loop, Rx athletes complete the ruck loop and the full event when they cross the finish line.
5.2K "In Honor Of" Athletes complete the same loop outlined above 1 time at the run or walk pace right for them. No hydro-burpees are required for 5.2K "In Honor Of" athletes.
North Half Map - All Loops: Run & Weighted Vest / Backpack
South Half Map - All Loops: Run & Weighted Vest / Backpack
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Transition Tips
How should I best prepare to come in and out of the water during transitions? Input and ideas from Rx Athlete Matt Kopicky coming soon!
Directions
Race Participant Survey
Please complete the following survey to help us better understand your race experience.
