Giddy up! This trail marathon covers some of the amazing trails in Girdwood, Alaska. The 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 …
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Giddy up! This trail marathon covers some of the amazing trails in Girdwood, Alaska. The 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 Race (new this year) 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! 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. Please leave dogs at home. Seriously – even spectators – leave dogs at home.
This is a fundraiser for the Girdwood Nordic Ski Club. The funds are used to maintain the snow machines for winter grooming, maintain trails, and create trail signage. We will also dedicate funds to help maintain trails on this marathon course.
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Not easy but rewarding!
IMO, this was a pretty difficult marathon. Around 3800’ elevation gain with a nice chunk of it being after already running 17 miles. It was a wet day so trails … MORE
IMO, this was a pretty difficult marathon. Around 3800’ elevation gain with a nice chunk of it being after already running 17 miles.
It was a wet day so trails were pretty muddy. It’s technical with rocks and roots and a creek crossing. Trail was pretty well marked overall. Local businesses provided snacks afterwards. The pizza was exactly what I needed after crossing the finish line. Also the time of year for the race allows for seeing some great fall foliage.