10 AM: The first-ever Orca Half (as in half-marathon) is happening right now, as the kickoff to today’s Seattle Summer Parkways “car-free” event on Alki. More than 400 runners are headed outbound to Lincoln Park and back to Don Armeni Boat Ramp, where they started in two groups shortly after 9:30.

This means the road changes are on, too. Our photo is from Harbor Avenue at the bottom of the California Way hill, by Seacrest – if you are westbound on Harbor, you will be diverted uphill, because that’s where the water-side biking/running/walking-only lane begins. And once you get to 56th/Alki, the entire road is off-limits to cars (etc.) until 63rd. We’ll have as-it-happens coverage from Alki once everything gets going there around 11 am.

ADDED 10:37 AM: At least one runner had a mini-cheering section:

These are the finishers’ medals, waiting back at the start/finish line:

You’ll also see The Whale Trail – beneficiary of the run – there, with Mike the inflatable orca (who was still getting deployed when we left).