Olympia Lakefair Races to take place on July 19 

Registration is open for the upcoming Olympia Lakefair Races, which will be held on Saturday, July 19.

The races are organized by the Olympia Downtown Rotary Club and Lake Run Organization. 

All funds raised will be donated to The Rotary Club of Olympia, as well as local public high school’s track and cross-country programs. Last year, more than $35,000 was donated, and almost $140,000 being donated over the last 10 years.  

The Olympia Lakefair Races is the second biggest running event in the city, trailing only the Capital City Marathon event. Approximately 950 people are expected to participate in the events.

The races will consist of a half-marathon, an 8K and 3K, with prizes given in each age category. It is open to runners and walkers, as well as wheelchair and disabled participants. 

 “We try to make it a family event,” said Bob Brennand, one of the race organizers, in a statement about the event.

“You don’t have to be a distance runner. On the other hand, if you're more competitive the races have accurate, certified courses and good competition.”  

 This year, the half-marathon was renamed the “Jerry Miller Half Marathon” after former Capital High School boys cross-country and track & field coach, who helped lead the Olympia Lakefair Races for several years.  

Last year, the race raised money for the American Parkinson’s Disease Association as a tribute to Miller, who has been stricken with the disease.  

The Jerry Miller Half Marathon, which starts on 5th Avenue in downtown Olympia, goes up Jefferson, along a bike trail along Interstate 5, onto the Woodland Trail, then left at the Chehalis Western Trail.

The half marathon course then hits 36th Avenue, Friendly Grove, 33rd Avenue, and Gull Harbor, before winding through Squaxin Park to East Bay Drive, and turning on to Olympia Avenue before going back to the joint finish line for all three races at 5th Avenue and Slyvester Street next to Heritage Park. 

Interested participants can register on the Olympia Lakefair website until the day of the race.