Alaska Airlines Dawg Dash

Alaska Airlines Dawg Dash is an in-person event.  All run packets will need to be picked up in person for this race.

Avoid the lines on race day. Pick up your packet early at University Book Store on the Ave (4326 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105)

Packets will be available at the following dates and times:

• Thursday, Oct. 15 | 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 17 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

You can also pick up your packet at the race. On-site packet pickup will open at 7:30 a.m. on race day near Kane Hall on the Central Plaza (Red Square). Please arrive at least 90 minutes early (7:30 a.m. for the 10K run, 7:50 a.m. for the 5K run) to make sure you have time to receive your materials.

Registrants are allowed to pick up packets for other registered runners. Please bring an official Alaska Airlines Dawg Dash confirmation email (printed or on a device) for each registration.

To avoid traffic and parking difficulties, we recommend taking public transit to campus if possible. Red Square and the starting line of the race are a short walk from the University District light rail station, or jump off at the University of Washington light rail station (near Husky Stadium) and enjoy a pre-Dash stroll up Rainier Vista. Light rail service is available from 6 a.m. to midnight on Sundays. The UW campus is also served by many bus lines! Plan your trip.

Parking is available in the Central Plaza Garage under Red Square (enter from 15th Ave. NE), the Padelford Parking Garage (easy access from east campus entrance) and other lots across campus. Please allow for extra time if you plan to park on campus as the entrances may become congested and parking areas are not staffed. Learn more about parking on campus. 

October is still road construction season. Check for shutdowns and traffic conditions before the race, and plan accordingly! WSDOT’s real-time map is a great resource.

Please note that the Revive I-5 project will have two lanes of Interstate 5 closed at the Ship Canal Bridge. Expect delays and give yourself extra time to travel.

On the morning of the race, runners gather on Red Square to check gear or pick up registration packets. The starting lines for the 10K Run and the 5K Run/Walk are on Memorial Way, just north of the flagpole.

View the 2026 course map here. (pdf) The bright yellow line shows the 10K route, while the purple line shows the 5K route.

Alaska Airlines Dawg Dash is a great event for the whole family! Children can participate in various ways, depending on their age level.

• Kids eight and under can join the Husky Pups Run presented by AMBA, running on a mini course that loops around Drumheller Fountain. Child runners at this level receive a kid-sized t-shirt, which will be included with your registration packet, and a finisher’s ribbon, which will be distributed at the finish line. The Husky Pups Run presented by AMBA gathers at the south end of Red Square at 10:30 a.m. (Please note that this mini-race will start closer to 10:45 a.m.; we need to wait for all the adult runners to finish the 5K so the route is clear for the Pups.)
• Kids nine and over are welcome to register at the student rate for the 5K run/walk with their adults! They will receive a black, short-sleeve Brooks Running tech t-shirt and a collectable finisher’s medal. These big kids = big shirts! Kids nine and older should register at the student rate, since they will likely fit better into the smaller adult shirt sizes than into the largest of the little kid sizes. (Finding the best fit for the shirts is our goal here.)
• Babies in strollers are welcome in both the 5K run/walk and the 10K run. They do not need to be registered for the event.

One of the best parts of Alaska Airlines Dawg Dash is meeting everyone’s pets. But you know your dog best: Will they be happy in a crowd of 3,500 runners, plus 150 kids and 200 other dogs? It still counts as Purple Pride if your pet wears their dogdanna on the comfy sofa at home!

Running with a dog takes training and practice. And to be fair, not every pup is up for a 5K. This article from Brooks Running has tips on how to safely run with your dog. Dog water bowls will be available. Do check in on your pet regularly to make sure they are still having as much fun as you are!

Dogdannas can be added to any registration as a fun souvenir, whether or not your are running with a pet on race day.

You may check your personal items with Alaska Airlines Dawg Dash staff and volunteers before the race. All items must fit into a bag provided by University Book Store. We encourage you to only check the minimum, like your jacket and your keys, and leave your large bags at home. Please don’t bring valuables. Gear check will open at 7:30 a.m.

Timing chips will be used. They are part of the race bibs and do not need to be returned after the race is over. Dogs and strollers are welcome in all races.

Alaska Airlines Dawg Dash begins on Memorial Way NE, north of the flagpole and the Medal of Honor Memorial. The finish line is in front of Suzzallo Library, on the UW Central Plaza (Red Square). The 10K run and the 5K run/walk both use the same start and finish lines.

• 7:30 a.m. — Packet pickup, race day registration and gear check open on Red Square
• 9 a.m. — 10K Dash begins on Memorial Way NE
• 9:20 a.m. — 5K Dash begins on Memorial Way NE; Post-Dash Bash opens on Red Square (Note: 5K Dashers will begin in waves to reduce crowding.)
• 10:30 a.m. — Husky Pups Run presented by AMBA gathers at the south end of Red Square

Results will be posted the day of the race. Check back for the link to the online scoreboard.