SPOKANE, Wash. — For the first time in two years, Spokane residents will have the chance to run the city's annual Bloomsday race in person.
The race will be held in person on Sunday, May 1, 2022. The race was moved to a virtual event in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although the race will be held in person this year, participants can still run virtually if they choose to. Virtual participants will complete a 7.46-mile run on any course they choose between April 28 to May 8.
Before participants hit the course, here's everything you need to know ahead of the race.
Check-in and number pickup
Participants can pick up their race number and instructions at the Spokane Convention Center in the Exhibition Hall.
This year, participants are required to know their race number in order to pick it up. To find the race number, look on the email receipt or use the Bloomsday lookup form.
Runners are able to pick up other participants' race numbers but will need to know the race number and the participant's name and date of birth in order to do so.
When picking up other entrants' race numbers, you will be required to provide your name and phone number.
Below are the check-in times:
- Friday, April 29, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Saturday, April 30, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
- (Out of town participants only) Sunday, May 1, 6:30 a.m.-9 a.m.
Race start times and starting points
The first race will begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 1. However, runners will be placed into different groups, and the color of your group will determine your start time and the road you start the race.
The start line is on Riverside Avenue between Lincoln & Post Streets (approximately 801 W. Riverside, Spokane, WA 99201).
Only participants wearing Bloomsday bib numbers will be allowed into the starting area. Families and friends will not be allowed access.
Bloomsday organizers said all runners should arrive 30 minutes before the start time listed to ensure entrance to your starting area.
Below are the starting times and areas for all groups:
- Elite (White): 9 a.m. on Lincoln Street
- Corporate Cup and Brown: 9 a.m. on Post Street
- Yellow: 9:05-9:20 a.m. on Wall Street
- Green: 9:05-9:20 a.m. on Howard Street
- Orange: 9:25-10:10 a.m. on Stevens Street
- Blue: 9:25-10:10 a.m. on Washington Street
- Lilac: 10:15-10:25 a.m. on Bernard Street
- Red: 10:30 a.m. on Browne Street
For a look at the entire course map, click here.
Photos: Bloomsday 2022
Parking and road closures
Parking will be available at the Spokane Arena and dozens of lots in downtown Spokane. Bloomsday organizers are encouraging drivers to carpool to reduce congestion.
Spokane Transit Authority (STA) will also facilitate travel to and from downtown with its Bloomsday shuttle, which operates from five satellite locations.
Drop off and pick up for the shuttle will be on 1st Avenue between Post and Stevens Streets. Those who didn't sign up for an STA Bloomsday shuttle pass during online registration can purchase one at the Bloomsday Trade Show.
For those not running:
Ash, Maple, Division, Browne and Hamilton will remain open all day during Bloomsday.
Streets near the start and finish lines (Monroe Street Bridge) will be closed from 5 a.m. to approximately 2 p.m. on Sunday. Other streets on the Bloomsday course will begin closing at 7:30 a.m. and reopen after the final walkers pass. This will be as early as 11:00 a.m. for Riverside west of Monroe, and as late as 2:00 p.m. for Broadway west of Monroe.
Regular bus riders should note that the Plaza will be closed to bus traffic on Bloomsday morning. All downtown routes will detour and use an alternate boarding and alighting area. More information is available here.
Safety and rules
Course rules
The Bloomsday course is restricted to runners, joggers, walkers and self-propelled push rim wheelchairs.
Dogs, bicycles, roller skates, roller blades, wagons, skateboards, hand-cycles and motorized wheelchairs are not allowed on the course.
Headphones, iPods and earbuds are not allowed to be worn during the race.
Water stations
A total of five water stations will be located periodically along the course:
- Greenwood Cemetery
- Spokane Falls Community College
- Pettet (Doomsday) hill
- Broadway and Nettleton
- Past the finish line
Medical aid stations
Medical Aid stations are spread throughout the course near each water aid station. There are four Medical Aid stations along the course, one at the finish line, and one past T-shirt distribution.
Medical Aid volunteers will be wearing red vests.
Disqualification
Participants that do not follow Bloomsday safety rules may be deleted from the official results and disqualified from Bloomsday for up to five years.
Major violations include:
- Jumping into the race along the course
- Running with a Baby Jogger, stroller or assisted wheelchair
- Starting before your color group is authorized to start
- Disregarding the instructions of race officials
- Verbal abuse of volunteers
- Not following generally accepted rules for the safe and fair conduct of a running event
For information about the Bloomsday Trade Show, awards ceremony, and other Bloomsday events, visit the Bloomsday website.