Light Rail Relay

Ultra relay along Seattle's 1 Line
by Race Condition Running. 08:30 September 27th

Team registration closed September 25th - teams registered

Race Overview

Light Rail Relay is an unsanctioned urban relay along Sound Transit's 1 Line. Teams of runners and walkers make the journey from Angle Lake to Lynnwood. The event is held annually in late September.

What does unsanctioned mean?

Roads closed? No.
Aid stations? No.
Official timing? No*.
Amazing morning? Guaranteed.
How many people do we need?

We recommend teams of 6 people. But you're welcome to run solo, or with as many people as you like.
Are roads closed for this event?

No. Follow traffic rules. Be smart. Be safe. Participate at your own risk.
22 legs - 36 mi ↑3000ft ↓3000ft

The relay will start at Angle Lake station and follow the 1 Line to Lynnwood, visiting every station on the way. The route passes through 6 cities across 2 counties.

See all leg details

Registration

- teams, - ultra runners are confirmed. That's - people! - are thinking about it.

We are using Pantograph for registration this year. Pantograph was tailor-made for team relays, and also lets your team upload exchange photos for timing purposes.

Join Team

Join an existing team.

Free
Join Team
Create Team

Create a new team and invite others to join.

$16* *Free if you use your baton from past years
Add Team
Enter Solo

Team of one. Save the fare, just run the whole way.

$16* *Free if you use your baton from past years
Enter Solo

FAQ

Why do this?

It's a chance to see different parts of the city with your friends, and to accomplish something together that you couldn't otherwise. If you're an ultra-runner, maybe you're keen on establishing Seattle's first great urban FKT. Or maybe you like the idea of racing trains. Check out the photos from last year if you still need convincing.

Past runners have said the event gave them a new view of the city and a fresh appreciation for the Link.

Besides, every city worth its salt has a run along a train. Make the most of it.

Why doesn't this include the 2 Line?

The 2 Line (and the T Line) don't yet connect to the 1 Line, so we'd need to start the event in multiple locations without an easy connection between. We've decided to focus on the longest line for now, but you can expect changes as the system continues to expand and connect.

Are there aid stations/bibs/shirts/awards?

No, none of the above. The event is too small (headcount) and too long for that to pencil out. The relay is mostly an excuse for you to hang out with your friends. See the logistics notes for advice on managing without course support.

If you're interested in sponsoring any of these things for future Light Rail Relays, please reach out!

Who can participate?

Anyone can form a team to complete the relay. See the instructions below for making a team.

Anyone in the UW CSE community is welcome to run as part of the Race Condition Running team. Look for information in the UW CSE Slack.

How can I make a team?

Decide which format you'd like to participate in. There are three categories for results purposes: Competitive for teams of six, Solo for teams of one, and Open for all other formats. All teams will:

  • Register their members.
  • Have a runner present at the Angle Lake Station platform at 08:30 on the morning of the event to receive their baton.
  • Carry their baton through all 23 stations.
  • Document station visits with photos.
  • Gather and submit station photos after the event.

Teams are responsible for their own logistics and support during the event.

If you're interested in forming a team, please complete the team signup. The registration fee covers a custom event baton. Once your team is confirmed, you and your runners will be able to use the main sign-up form.

Can we walk?

Yes, your team can walk for any or all of the event. There will be about 12 hours of usable daylight. Please mark your estimated time appropriately when registering as walking teams will be given an earlier start.

How does timing work?

If you want an official time, your team will need to upload 23 station photos with time metadata on Pantograph. We'll verify the photos and post the results. The photos you share will not be posted.

What counts as a station photo?

Your baton must be in the photo. It must be possible to tell that the photo was taken from within 100m of the station platform as the crow flies. You don't need to take the photo on the platform or even from within the fare zone! Use the station art or signage. Zoom into the map to see our recommended exchange landmarks.

We prefer photos contain at least those who started/ended/ran-through a station, so we have documentation for who ran what.

Do we have to follow the route?

We strongly recommend you follow the given route. We've run it before and assembled notes on what to expect. That said, the course is not monitored, and we will only be checking station photos. You can run alternative routes at your peril.

How do we assign legs?

There are no constraints. The RCR team treats the event like a big long-run, with multiple runners on each leg. See our previous schedules from 2021 and 2022 to get the idea. In any case, we'll collect your runners' preferences and send them to you along with a recommended schedule.

Competitive Teams

If you're looking to set a course record, your team must have exactly six runners each running at least one leg. So you may exchange as few as five times or as many times as there are stations. A mixed team is 3 men and 3 women, and a womens' team is 6 female runners.

Is this safe?

Participating in Light Rail Relay involves the same kinds of danger that you would encounter on any run in Seattle. Although unlikely, there is risk of harm from vehicle traffic, falling, weather, or medical complications. The course is open, and you are responsible for your own safety. During registration, you will be asked to sign a liability waiver acknowledging these risks. That being said, the organizers have run the route multiple times without incident. Click around the route map to see our notes.

How do we manage our team's logistics?
Small teams (4-10 runners)

You're likely to only have one person running each leg, so it's easiest if the folks who aren't running ride the train together to the next handoff. The train is your Ragnar van.

Large teams (>10 runners)

Our experience with a team of 20+ and multiple runners assigned to each leg is that a shared schedule spreadsheet helps a lot. You can see RCR's from 2022 and 2023 as examples. If you're planning to participate in this "club run" format, we'll provide a recommended schedule based on your runners' preferences, but it's up to the team captain (person who added the team) to finalize and distribute assignments.

Solo runners

It's possible to run the ~58k route unsupported. Otherwise, there are many shops along the way for supplies (zoom into the map to see data from OpenStreetMap). Here are some within 100ft of the route:

  • Mile 0: All Star Grocery, Chevron ExtraMile
  • Mile 6.40: Chevron Food Mart
  • Mile 9.55: Chevron ExtraMile
  • Mile 12.95: Hilltop Red Apple Market
  • Mile 17.00: H Mart
  • Mile 18.35: M2M Mart
  • Mile 19.60: Volunteer Park Cafe & Pantry
  • Mile 22.55: Trader Joe's
  • Mile 29.35: 7-Eleven
  • Mile 31.30: Arctic Mini-Mart
  • Mile 34.50: 7-Eleven

Seattle's shameful lack of public restrooms means libraries are your safest bet. The Beacon Hill Branch is only a block off the course and will be open in time for most runners, as will the Central Library downtown on 4th Ave. Note that University Branch on Roosevelt is closed until 2026. Check the Seattle Public Libraries page for up-to-date info. Stations from Northgate northward have restrooms, but they are not always in service. Some of the above stores may have restrooms available, and you can zoom into the map to see other restrooms from OpenStreetMap. Do not count on access to any restrooms on the UW campus on weekends.

The map includes OpenStreetMap water fountain information, but the presence and function of fountains changes often. Seattle Public Utilities has a map with the status of their fountains.

All teams

Exchanges: The easiest way is to meet at the exact points marked on the route. We've placed the markers next to station art, signage or other landmarks. Zoom into the map to see our recommended exchange landmarks.

Getting around: conveniently, exchanges are accessible via light rail and bus. See Seattle Transit Blog's page for a refresher on how to get around using transit, and check the ORCA site for recommendations on how to purchase fares. UW students can ride for free using their Husky IDs.

I have a different question.

Ask over email.

Event Records

Open Course Record

5:23:13

Seattle Green Line Running Group • 6 members, 2024

Competitive Course Record

5:34:28

RBRC Local #7 4 members, mixed, 2024

Solo Course Record

5:21:22

Nick Walker • 2024

Biggest Team

33

Race Condition Running • 2024

Fastest Train

1:14:00

Sound Transit • 2024

Relay Day

Team captains are your main point of contact. Here are the emails they've been sent:

Brief #2 - 9/25/25

Hello LRR25 Captains,

Here's what to expect. This brief and the previous will also be on the site if you need to reference them. See also: the FAQ.

Before the Event

Reminders from previous brief stand. If your team size doesn't match your results images, your times may be struck. Have people register. They can join your team anytime, even the morning of. If you want to indicate to me that your roster is complete, you can "Close" your team.

Have your team study the map and especially the warnings. In addition to those marked, you can expect some minor sidewalk narrowing/detours along MLK ~Othello as well as along Pine ~Capitol Hill. Every runner must be prepared to navigate their legs. There are >100 people running, but the course is very big. Depending on your team's pace, it is possible you won't see others after the start. If you want to guarantee meeting people, come to Angle Lake early.

If you registered with a previous baton, don't forget it! There won't be extras at the start.

Schedule

  • 8:00 batons available on the Angle Lake platform.
  • 8:25 course instructions read.
  • 8:30:00 start. The start is on the platform, with the exception of runners with carriers/strollers, who may start at street level under the station on 28th Ave S. You may take this exchange photo before the actual start time.

Someone will stay back about 15 minutes after the start in case your start runner is late. After this point, you will run without a baton.

The latest 1 Line trip you should plan to catch to the start is the 6:58 from Lynnwood

During the Event

Run, but also hang out with your team! Plan ahead if you're going to stop somewhere for coffee. If your team cares about results, post exchange photos to Pantograph. See previous email for instructions.

What to Do After

There are many food options a short walk from Lynnwood station. Consider getting a banh mi with your team. I will be around the hummingbird (finish line) for a few hours to say hi, but based on your time estimates, some of you will beat me there. Sorry if I miss you!

Weather

It will be warm toward the end. Please prepare appropriately.

SeaTac        8:00 AM    56°F (13°C)    Overcast clouds
Tukwila       9:00 AM    61°F (16°C)    Overcast clouds
South Seattle 10:00 AM   65°F (18°C)    Overcast clouds
Seattle       11:00 AM   69°F (21°C)    Broken clouds
Green Lake    12:00 PM   71°F (22°C)    Clear sky
Shoreline     1:00 PM    73°F (23°C)    Clear sky
Lynnwood      2:00 PM    75°F (24°C)    Clear sky

Ultra Runners

Please let a loved one know that you are running and your ETA. The course isn't monitored. If you are injured or lost, you'll never be far from city help/emergency services but I won't know what happened. If you drop, send me an email so I can sleep Saturday night.

Nick Walker

Brief #1 - 9/21/25

Hello LRR Captains,

Hope you and your team are almost set for next weekend's run. Three items as you plan:

  • Please have your runners register; we need to know they've agreed to the event waiver, and the results only make sense with accurate team sizes.
  • Note that some legs have changed this year! Many suggested exchange points have moved, and we've included photos of each on the map and leg details table. Some legs had a couple of turns trimmed. The largest changes are to Leg 3, Rainier Beach → Tukwila, which is now shorter and flatter. Unfortunately, it still includes unpleasant and dangerous pedestrian conditions. The specific hazards are called out on the map (zoom in). Please make sure you and your team are using a fresh copy of this year's GPX (nothing downloaded before 9-18-25).
  • Pantograph is handling results this year. The "Photos" tab lets anyone on your team upload exchange photos. Time and geolocation metadata are then used to record a split. Splits will be available live on the event page. If geotagging was turned off before a runner takes the photo, there's no way to get the data back, so please have your team give it a try before the event; A warning will show when you attempt to upload a photo that has no metadata, and there are some troubleshooting pointers on the page. The photo system will be reset before the event. Let me know if you run into problems. I dropped in my images from last year so you can see what it'll look like (public gallery link): https://panto.raceconditionrunning.com/gallery/YkYdtgEg

Additional details to come mid-week.

Nick Walker

Arriving soon

Results