Description:

The Hatcher Pass Marathon & Relay is a low-key, uphill marathon in beautiful Willow, Alaska.  The route follows Willow Fishhook road (aka Hatcher Pass Rd) all the way over the summit, and finishes at the Independence Mine State Historical Park “Bowl” parking area.  The course goes gradually uphill (or relentlessly uphill, depending on your mood) for the first 25 miles; the last mile includes a cramp-inducing downhill, and then one more uphill grunt to the finish line.

The route follows Willow Fishhook road (aka Hatcher Pass road) all the way over the summit, and finishes at the Independence Mine State Historical Park “Bowl” parking area. The course is very mountainous, and goes relentlessly uphill for 25 miles; the last mile includes a cramp-inducing downhill, and then one last uphill grunt to the finish line. Elevation gain is close to 4,000 feet. Approximately 22 miles of it is on gravel road, the rest on pavement (at the beginning of the course). The course is slightly longer than 26.2 – it is not a certified marathon course.