(Formerly known as the Lake Sammamish Race)
Distance: 6/13 Miles
Difficulty: 1-2
Pre-race meeting: Long Course: 9:30 a.m.; Short Course: 10:30 a.m.
Race start: Long Course: 10:00 a.m.; Short Course: 11 a.m.
The start is at Tibbetts Beach in Lake Sammamish State Park. The address for the park is 2000 NW Sammamish Rd, Issaquah, WA 98027. Take Exit 15 off I-90 to Renton-Issaquah Road SE (SR 900). Head north to NW Sammamish Road, which is the first intersection (1 block from freeway offramp). Turn left (west) onto NW Sammamish Road for roughly 0.5 miles. Turn right into Lake Sammamish State park. Turn left at the first parking lot and go all the way to the end. The registration table will be by the restroom building closest to the water. There is plenty of parking, plenty of grass and a nice beach on which to rest your boats.
Well maintained and decent sized restrooms are available. Also, for those bringing their families along there is a playground close by, a fine sandy beach to play on and several picnic tables, not to mention hiking and biking on the trails within and near the park and the shopping available nearby.
Map one with directions
Map two with directions
If you would like to fill out your entry form ahead of the race (especially if you are under 18 years of age and need parental permission) you can get a copy here: Entry/Release Form (PDF Document, 11kb; download free Adobe Acrobat to view)
The long course is a big clockwise loop heading north up the lake and back. The short course is a clockwise loop at the south end of the lake. All human powered watercraft, including the big boats, are encouraged to participate. The sandy beach will accommodate all boats, and there is quite a large setup area directly adjacent to the beach.
For those boats requiring a boat ramp we suggest the state park boat ramp located off E. Lake Sammamish Parkway. It is about 1 mile distant by water. Note that if you use the boat ramp there is a $7 launch fee, otherwise there is no longer a fee to park your vehicle at the state park.
Long Course (13.3mi): Robert Meenk, 1:34:10 in 2008, M 1x.
Short Course (6mi): Marck McGinnis and Patrick Eames, 43:36 in 2008, M 2-.
Old Course (6mi): Rainer and Adrian Storb, 36:48 in 2000, M 2X.
Note: The Sammamish Race started as a 3-mile triangular course in 1988. The double lap (6 mile) course ran 1990-2004. New 6/13mi course as of 2005.
Sound Rowers members, Sammamish Rowing Association members (must provide number) and juniors: $8 per person
Non members, singles and doubles: $18 per person
Non members, boats of 3+ competitors: $10 per person
Ribbons awarded for 1st-3rd by category.
Pizza and other food and drink will be available. Non-racers are invited to take part in the lunch with a suggested donation of $4 per person.
Want to check out the conditions?