A Whale of a Run
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A Whale of a Run
A Whale of a Run is a community road race presented by Kitsap Running as part of the Whaling Days celebration in Silverdale, Washington. The 2026 edition is the 44th running and brings together runners, walkers, families, and Special Olympics athletes for a series of short distance events and a finish-line celebration at Kitsap Great Escape.
The event program includes these distances:
- 4 mile run (AQUA MD title sponsor)
- 1 mile walk and run (Meals on Wheels sponsor)
- Kids dashes at the finish area
- Special Olympics dash with no entry fee
Course descriptions state the 4 mile run starts near Bucklin Hill and Silverdale Way, follows the Silverdale Way parade route, continues onto Newberry Hill Road and Provost Road, turns on Anderson Hill Road, then returns to finish at Kitsap Great Escape through the Bucklin Hill parking area. The 1 mile course runs along the same parade corridor with a turnaround that returns participants to the finish.
Event logistics include a Friday evening packet pickup at R.E.I. and race day check-in and finish operations at Kitsap Great Escape. Volunteers are organized for check-in, course setup and cleanup, finish line awards, parking, and course support. Sponsors provide race services and amenities such as finish-line snacks, water, portable restrooms, a recovery station, and a plush whale giveaway for children. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
