Destination Running: Top 12 Races in Alaska

Do you have a race in America’s 49^th state on your bucket list? Whether it’s been a long-time dream or an impulsive decision of convenience while visiting Alaska for business or a special event, Alaska offers locals and visitors alike a hefty growing list of running race options for the short and sweet summer months. Born and raised in Alaska, I devised this race bucket list years ago, and have tweaked it over time with continued race experience and consultation of many runner friends. Check out all the great information about the top 12 Races in Alaska! (Why 12? Because a top 10 doesn’t cut it for my favorite state!)

 

The view from atop Mount Marathon. Photo © Amber Walker

1. “Most Festive Mountain Sprint”: Mount Marathon – July 4^th, 2017

Often referred to as the “Olympics of Alaska,” every 4^th of July thousands of spectators line Sewards’ streets for what is considered to be the oldest mountain race in the United States. Don’t be fooled by the name – this race is not a classic marathon distance, but covers 3.1 miles (shortest route) with approximately 3,000 feet elevation gain on an out and back course that starts and finishes in downtown Seward, a charming fishing community 2 hours from Anchorage. With an average slope of 34 degrees and the steepest hill at 60 degrees, this race is not for the faint of heart. Racers create duct tape gaiters to protect from the scree and often emerge from the bottom mountain chute with bloodied battle wounds. Costumes are encouraged, spectators and racers camp out for the entire 4^th of July weekend, and the after-party is notoriously rowdy in this otherwise sleepy coastal town. Mount Marathon is one of the best races in Alaska and is so famous that there are a lottery system and auction to get a spot. In recent years, drones can be seen buzzing overhead during the race and mountain running icons like Kilian Jornet, Emelie Forsberg, and Yngvild Kaspersen have competed with locals to bring the race into the spotlight in the international mountain running scene.

Race Website

 

2. “Best Historic Race”: Equinox Marathon- Sept. 16^th, 2017

It’s difficult, to sum up the Equinox in one short paragraph, so I recommend you check out the great book on this Alaska classic race published in 2016 (see link below) by athlete Matias Saari. The race takes place during the autumnal equinox in Fairbanks, Alaska, which usually boasts gorgeous fall colors but can also mean snow! This unique course combines wide and single track trail terrain with pavement and gravel and a strenuous climb over Ester Dome. What began as a “trailblazing” event in 1963, an age when marathons were very rare, has become a lively collection of history and culture of a small town in Alaska which eventually hosted the world’s largest marathon for 3 years in a row.

Race Website

An excellent book on the history of the Equinox: http://equinoxmarathonbook.com/

 

Runners enjoy Anchorage’s extensive trail system in the Mayor’s Marathon and Anchorage Runfest races. Photo © Amber Walker

3. “Best Summer Solstice Celebration”: Mayor’s Marathon – June 17, 2017

This race event has been a summer solstice tradition for more than 40 years. The Anchorage Mayor’s Marathon & Half Marathon attracts locals and visitors alike as one of Alaska’s premier road races. (Technically the marathon course covers a few miles of trails, too). Also, a 4-person marathon relay, Coastal 5k and Buddy Half Marathon are available. The marathon course starts in the Chugach Mountain foothills in east Anchorage, winds around the scenic Chester Creek trail and ends downtown at Delaney Park. It’s a certified ASATF Boston Qualifying event and is also popular with the Team in Training program (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society). Don’t miss the post-race party on the park strip downtown!

Website with more Info and link to race registration

 

4. “Locals Favorite”: Lost Lake –date TBD, typically end of August

A locals’ favorite, the Lost Lake Race covers a breathtaking 16 mile U.S. Forest Service trail a few hours’ drives from Anchorage. As a major fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis, the race began in 1992 and is now so popular that it sells out in mere minutes. (I was hesitant to draw attention to this one for that very reason!) The trail begins at Primrose campground, heads up a lush forested trail to a rocky lake-dotted section, and covers a ridge-line with stunning views before dropping down near Bear Creek just outside of the town of Seward. The total elevation gain is about 2,350 feet. The event hosts a fun post-race BBQ and unique prizes like Alaska Airlines tickets.

Race Website

 

Along the Crow Pass trail. Photo © Jeremy Martin

5. “Best Backcountry Distance Race”: Crow Pass – date TBD, (July 23 in 2016)

Crow Pass, a race put on by the University of Alaska Anchorage, is not for the beginner to distance trail running, and it’s expected that you try the course before race day. The course is a point-to-point trail from Girdwood to the Eagle River Nature Center, which is estimated to be between 22.5-27 miles long, depending on who you talk to. This unsupported race on an unmarked trail features several challenges including tricky terrain, potential bear and bee encounters, weather unpredictability and a thigh to the waist-deep glacial river crossing. Racers gain approximately 3,888 feet and run near stunning backcountry glaciers before dropping down into the valley portion of the trail. If the mandatory pre-race meeting doesn’t scare you away, you’ll be rewarded with a Snickers bar at the finish line and some serious bragging rights as you recover! It is one of the races in Alaska that you should not miss.

Registration Info

 

Racers may catch a glimpse of Denali on the Kesugi Ridge course. Photo © Amber Walker

6. “Most Scenic Ultra”: Kesugi Ridge – June 24, 2017

Kesugi Ridge has a special place in my heart as it was my first trail ultra-marathon and remains one of my favorite trails of all time in my home state. This one is one of the best races in Alaska. The race is small in a number of participants but unforgettable in every aspect. Racers experience a near-constant change in terrain, from challenging climbs, creek crossings, snow running (depending on the time of year), rock navigating, forested single track, mud running, slippery planks and bridges, running over and around giant boulders, and spectacular views of stunning lakes and the paralleling Denali Range on a clear day. This 30-mile course runs from Little Coal Creek to Byers Lake trailhead, with one checkpoint at the halfway mark. The race finish at the campground includes a post-race comradery you’ll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere, with a BBQ and bonfire at your side as you recover. Historically this race occurs in the fall, but 2017’s race will be put on in June by new race director Matias Saari. 2017’s event will feature a new 15-mile race option in addition to the full traverse.

Race Info

 

7. “Best Race Festival”: Anchorage RunFest – August 19-20, 2017

The Anchorage RunFest is a vibrant community event each August that attracts runners from all over the world and shines with a race distance for everyone! This is one of the best races in Alaska. The variety of road races starts with the Kids 2k and Anchorage Mile on Saturday and features a 5k, half marathon, full marathon, and 49k on Sunday. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can complete the “Back 2 Back Challenge” by racing the mile on Saturday and another race on Sunday. The health and fitness pre-race expo is incredible and doesn’t miss a chance to check out the movie, pasta feed and Jeff Galloway clinic on race week!

Race Website

 

8. “Best Winter Ultra”: Susitna 100 and Little Su 50k – February 18, 2017

This unique winter race offers 50k and 100-mile races for cross-country skiers, fat-tire bikers and runners alike. It is one of the races in Alaska that you should not miss. The trail path crosses frozen rivers, lakes and woodland trails and often experiences below-zero temperatures on race day. Racers should be prepared with good course awareness, footwear adequate for running on snow and ice, and survival gear as there are minimal checkpoints.

Race Website

 

Racer nearing the summit of Matanuska Peak. photo © Amber Walker

9. “Best Quad Trasher”: Matanuska Peak Challenge – August 5^th, 2017                                                                                                                                                             It is my favorite “hurts so good” race for a killer elevation gain workout, but be prepared for the 9,100 feet of vertical gain and the triple mountain summit course. The race climbs up Lazy Mountain (not sure who came up with the name, but it’s not accurate!), descends the backside over to Matanuska Peak (a more technical climb which includes some loose rocks and boulders), and then returns via another trip up and down Lazy Mountain, for a 14 mile total race course. Another self-supported race with a mandatory gear checklist, the majority of racers power-hike the course, but race winners continue to stun the field with incredible running performances. Matanuska Peak Challenge is one of the hardest races in Alaska.

Additional Info 

 

10. “Best Race in Alaska’s Capital City”: Nifty 50 – August 12, 2017

You’ll find 10k, 25k, 50k options in this mostly-trail race near Alaska’s capital city, Juneau. Expect the right amount of climbing on each course (over 5,000 feet for the 50k course) over stunningly beautiful trails including Perseverance, Granite Creek and Mount Roberts Trails.

Race info

 

Matias Saari, a prominent Alaska mountain running leader and Kesugi Ridge race director. Photo © Amber Walker

11. “Best Unsupported Ultra”: Resurrection Pass – date TBD, (last year was August 12-13, 2016)

If you’re looking for some serious trail mileage, I recommend the Resurrection Pass race that typically occurs in mid-August. This one is one of the best races in Alaska. The two race distances run between Hope and Cooper Landing, Alaska. The trail is a National Recreation Trail maintained by the US Forest Service, and historically was a route used by early gold miners. The hardy handful(s) of people who compete in this race should be prepared for a self-supported experience in a low-trafficked but incredible trail in bear country. (Let’s be honest, what mountain race in Alaska is not in the bear country?!) The route has changed a few times slightly since it began, and the course records have been shattered in the last few years by local running legends Holly Brooks and Matias Saari (50 milers) and Shawn McTaggart and Dugan Greenwell (100 milers).

 

Race Website

 

Klondike Road Relay transition area. Photo © Amber Walker

12. “Best Relay”: Klondike Road Relay – typically Labor Day weekend in September

No bucket list on Alaska racing is complete without mention of the famous Klondike. This race starts in Skagway, Alaska and ends in Whitehorse, Canada. Most finishers of the 175 km (~ 109 miles) race compete as 4-10 person teams. Klondike Road Relay is one of the famous races in Alaska. The route commemorates the crossing of White Pass to the Yukon by Gold Rush Stampeders over 100 years ago. This boisterous event features motorhomes wildly decorated (there’s inevitably one pulling a hot tub!), team costumes, and a fun post-race dance party in Whitehorse.

Race Website

 

It was a tough job to narrow my list down to the top 12, as Alaska hosts several incredible running races. I hope that this list aids you in planning your next running destination trip! I’ve completed 6 of these races in Alaska and plan to knock the rest off the list by 2018! Does anyone want to join me?