Our Journey
Hi, I'm Crystal Whittier - founder and owner of Kitsap Running. Kitsap Running was born from a love for running, a deep appreciation for our community, and the values that guide our lives. In 2013, my husband and I began running marathons. We quickly fell in love with the sport but noticed a few consistent challenges: marathons were often expensive, far from home here in Kitsap, WA, and many were held on Sundays—a day our family reserves as the Lord’s day.
As we ran, we often joked about a race of our own—one that would reflect our principles and provide a meaningful experience for runners. When my husband started running a training loop around Dyes Inlet, I asked him what it would take to turn it into a marathon. He showed me, and that was enough to inspire me to bring The Bremerton Marathon to life, with my husband being pulled along for the ride as our course manager.
In 2015, we held our first event: an affordable Saturday race that offered high-quality perks like swag bags, course support, and finish-line food—all without compromising on our values. Our events were also substance-free, aligning with our commitment to promoting health and wellness. The response was incredible, drawing both local participants and runners from across the country.
We hosted another race in 2016 before moving to Japan for four years. Unable to find someone to continue the event, we had to let it go. Upon returning to Kitsap in 2020, we faced another hurdle: the global pandemic. During that time I started coaching High School and Middle School Cross-Country, started an online Kitsap Running Facebook group, joined with others to support new and existing community events, and even tried my hand at podcasting (Running by Dawn) under the penname Dawn Pederson. But my vision for reviving The Bremerton Marathon stayed alive. Four years later, in 2024, we brought it back—this time hosted by our newly rebranded company, Kitsap Running.
Now, Kitsap Running is more than just a race —it’s also a hub for all things running in Kitsap County. Our Community Resources section is a one-stop shop for runners to discover everything happening in the local running scene. From race calendars and running groups to youth programs, coaching opportunities, and local businesses, our website connects the community in ways that inspire and empower runners of all levels.
Looking ahead and with my background in software engineering, Kitsap Running is expanding its impact with the development of tools designed to serve both runners and race organizers. The upcoming Runner's Journey will offer resources and insights to help runners reach their goals, inspired by my years of coaching Cross-Country, working with high school and adult athletes, and earning my certification through ISSA as a Running Coach. For those hosting events, our Race Director's Journey will offer resources we wish we had, drawing on our firsthand experience organizing races like the Bremerton Marathon.
Our ultimate goal is to make Kitsap a runner’s town. We envision a thriving community where runners of all ages and abilities feel supported and inspired, whether through local events, shared knowledge, or tools that make running and organizing more accessible. We also want to share what we're learning in Kitsap with runners and race directors across the world.
