Obliteride to Fight Cancer, Snarl Traffic

This Saturday morning, the 12^th annual Obliteride to fight cancer will kick off at the UW with close to 4,000 riders, runners, walkers and others beginning their journeys at the UW and ending at Gas Works Park. The festivities start Friday night, however, which will bring a couple days of potential traffic snarls not just to drivers in our neighborhood, but users of the Burke Gilman trail, as well.

History

Obliteride participants raise money through donations from their networks of friends and colleagues. Funds raised go directly to the Fred Hutch Cancer Center to support their work. Local t.v. personality Jesse Jones, formerly of KING5, now with KIRO, lent his considerable support to Obliteride in the early days after his own battle with cancer. Since its inception, Obliteride has raised $48 million for the Hutch, $8 million of that just last year with 3,792 participants according to their annual report.

Routes

Participants on all routes will begin their journeys Saturday morning at the UW E18 parking lot along Montlake Boulevard near 45^th St. with staggered start times for each group of participants:

• 6:30 a.m.: 100-mile riders start
• 7:30 a.m.: 50-mile riders start
• 8:00 a.m.: 25-mile riders start
• 9:00 a.m.: 5K walkers/runners start

All routes finish at Gas Works Park. The 5K folks make their ways straight there from UW. The 25-mile bikers head across the 520 bridge to Kirkland, and return more or less the same way. The 100-mile bikers also cross 520, reaching points as far east as Carnation and Fall City, before returning to Seattle via I-90. The 50-mile bikers shortcut this route by heading straight south to I-90 upon crossing Lake Washington. A map of these routes, appearing somewhere below, also shows approximate times when people will be moving through the various route sections.

Celebrations

Obliteride is more than just sweating through some miles. The event actually begins Friday night with the Friday Night Party:

Obliteride includes a fun party the night before Obliteride Day with live music, an opportunity to connect with teammates and fellow Obliteriders, kid-friendly activities, a full dinner buffet, and some delicious beverages. It’s about bringing the Obliteride community together to celebrate our impact, honor loved ones, and kick off an incredible weekend! The party is on Friday, August 9, at Gas Works Park in Seattle from 4 – 9 p.m.

A similar event takes place Saturday. Admission is included with participants’ registrations. Not biking, running or walking? You can still attend either (or both!) celebrations. Tickets for adults 21+ are $35 for Friday, $25 for Saturday and $55 for both days — less for youths ages 10-20. Children under 10 free. Purchase tickets online through Thursday, August 8, or day-of at Gas Works Park.

Impacts

You can expect some crowds and delays in the neighborhood as result of Obliteride. The organizers want you to know this:

• Friday, August 9, 3 – 9pm: Friday Night Party at Gas Works Park. Expect music and announcements.
• Saturday, August 10, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm: Saturday Celebration at Gas Works Park. Expect music and announcements.
• 6:00 p.m. Saturday – Last finisher expected at Gas Works Park
• Routes will not require road closures with the exception of N. Northlake way between N. 36th St. and N. Northlake Place. Please expect delays and/or closures between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM Saturday.
• Drivers may also experience delays at the time of route departures [from the UW] between 6:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
• The 5K will utilize the Burke Gilman trail between 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM. Please expect heavy trail use during that time.
• View the route delay map to learn about the neighborhoods that Obliteride will be rolling through, details about rider timing and road impacts. [The map appears below.]