Race Information
Once upon a time, as I was working really, REALLY hard to push upward towards the sky and the April Bowl parking lot, I thought, “Gee, this might be waaaay different if they’d just let me run down the mountain.”
Fast forward…and here it is!
Much of the information here is identical to what’s already on the Hatcher Pass Marathon and Relay event page. We aren’t going to duplicate a huge amount of that here so check out that event for the nitty-gritty.
The concept is this: 1 mile up the mountain, 25 miles down. Boom. It’s for those of you who want a slightly different challenge than the 25 up, 1 down variation.
What’s with the rumor that says something about a double challenge? Relax, it doesn’t mean you’re going to turn around and run in the reverse. It simply means that if you, or your team, choose to participate in both the Hatcher Pass Marathon and Relay AND the Archangel Marathon and Relay, you will be gifted with some sort of amazing keepsake and also have your name(s) prominently displayed everywhere we can think of.
Of course, you don’t have to run in both events. We would be just as happy to see you at one or the other only! Buuuuut…. I think you’d agree this is a way cooler thing to earn bragging rights about, plus the view downhill will be a totally new amazing vista.
Course Description
If you’ve ever driven, hiked, or run in Hatchers Pass, then you already know there is really only one road there. True, there are some offshoots (ahem…Archangel) BUT for the most part there aren’t a huge number of options besides hiking trails. As a result, guess what? This course is IDENTICAL to Hatcher Pass Marathon except for direction.
We will begin the race at the Independence Mine parking area. From there you will have a BRIEF downhill, just over a mile climbing uphill, and then approximately 25 miles downhill of varying grades. Some will be kinder to your knees and quads than others.
We are anticipating aid stations near the same locations as Hatcher Pass. As always we are hopeful that we can add a couple more in there but that’s really dependent on volunteer awesomeness.
This course is downhill but that doesn’t mean we want everyone just bombing down it. That’s a good way for a broken ankle amongst various other injuries! You WILL have a faster time than the uphill version but we still are focusing on fun here. This is not, nor will it ever be, a Boston Qualifier.
Bummer.
If you haven’t ever been to Hatcher Pass before, know that even though Google maps makes it look like you’re right by the metropolii of both Willow and Palmer, you are REMOTE. There is limited cell coverage along the route with no cell coverage at all for much of it. If you’re driving from Anchorage, you need to give yourself a minimum of 3 hours to arrive at the start as well as get back to town afterwards. It will be road construction season so plan accordingly. Please feel free to send us any questions you may have!
Gold Mint Challenge
What’s the challenge exactly?
What? Run both ways???
Yes. But not the same day. We promise.
If you register and participate in both the Hatcher Pass and Archangel Marathons, we want to give you kudos! It’s no small feat to finish one marathon, let alone two on this course.
Thus, we have created the Gold Mint Challenge.
You can compete individually or as part of your team. There is nothing different you have to do when you register for both events- we will make sure you are given the recognition and reward you deserve!
The rules:
* Register for both events.
* It’s ok to mix and match distances. For example, full marathon in one race, relay member in second race.
* If you register as a team, only the team members who have actually participated in both will be awarded. So yes, potential only 1 of the 2-3 members will be recognized.
* Must show up and run on both days. Registering but then not running does not qualify.
That’s about it… register and run! Or walk! Just finish on both days.
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