Girdwood Trail Marathon

This trail marathon covers some of the amazing trails in Girdwood, Alaska. Our town is known for over 30 plus meandering trails through the beautiful temperate rain forest. This is NOT the race to run if it’s your first marathon. “This marathon feels like an ultra run” says marathon finishers, so perhaps volunteer to sweep race course, or work at an Aid Station your first year. Volunteers are guaranteed a spot the following year! OR…sign up for the 5K Family-Friendly Race and then volunteer and cheer on the finishers!

This run includes the infamous Winner Creek Trail, the Upper, Middle, and Lower Iditarod Trails, Nordic 5K Loop, Tiny Trail, Athabascan Trail, California Creek Trail, Abe’s Trail, Beaver Pond Trail, Bird-to-Gird Trail, Winner Creek Extension Trail, Alyeska Bike Path, and various Alyeska Resort mountain trails including the NEW Kettle Pond Trail.

This Marathon is the brain-child of Brian Burnett who is constantly connecting trails for a fun day outside. He ran a solid 26 miles one day and thought, “More people should experience this fun…we should have a trails marathon”. So if you love soggy October runs through Alaskan forests and perhaps losing the feeling in your toes running through glacial creeks…come join us on OCTOBER 3rd, 9:00AM for Full Marathon, and 10:00AM for Half Marathon (fewer cold toes). If you have someone coming to watch, or if you both want to check out the course and have unlimited access to Aid Station Gummy Bears – then volunteer your first year…or “volun-tell” your cheerleader to help out. (leave dogs at home) Seriously – even spectators – leave dogs at home.

AID STATIONS: 1) Alyeska Daylodge, 2) Nordic 5K Loop / Winner Creek Trail connection, 3) Middle Iditarod Trail at USFS parking lot, 4) Crow Creek Rd at California Creek Trailhead, and 5) Bird-to-Gird Path Trailhead.

Choose the full 26.2 (ish) mile marathon or 13.1 (ish) mile half-marathon, or – the 5K Race. The races start and end at the Alyeska Daylodge in Girdwood. Aid stations? Yes, we will have FIVE stations stocked with snacks and water! WE have listened…more water. Got it. But we will have pitchers to fill YOUR hydration packs or bottles. Carry your water!!

This is also a BYOBS race (Bring Your Own Bear Spray), so along with your OWN hydration and a smile, be prepared for wildlife encounters. We will start the race with ONE WAVE PER RACE from the Alyeska Daylodge. Parking is available, as well as bathrooms, and a place to store warm gear.