Washington’s second-biggest population center (edging out Tacoma by about 7000 people) is a welcome break after the treeless monotony of the eastern Scablands. Situated at the nexus of the Pacific Northwest’s so-called ‘Inland Empire’, this understated yet confident city sits clustered on the banks of the Spokane River. Though rarely touted in national tourist blurbs, Spokane hosts the world’s largest mass-participation running event (May’s annual Bloomsday Run), a stunning gilded-age hotel (the Davenport) and a spectacular waterfall throwing up angry white spray in the middle of its downtown. It was also the childhood home of that famous old crooner Bing Crosby, and remains the smallest city to have ever hosted an Expo (the 1974 World’s Fair). Prepare yourself for some interesting revelations: there’s more to this modest metropolis than meets the eye.With that being said, the Windermere Marathon is the place to be!!As many as 1,400 runners or more cross the finish line each year — including roughly 1,000 in the half marathon alone — at the annual spring running of Spokane’s Windermere Marathon & Half Marathon, which unfolds along a beautifully scenic course that runs alongside the waters of the Spokane River.