Kenai River Marathon
Kenai, AK
- Marathon, Marathon Relay, Half Marathon, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Kenai River Marathon is a fast, predominately flat course on pavement. The course begins with a run through Old Town Kenai allowing runners to take in a short but delightful look at the mouth of the Kenai River and the Kenai mountains. Once out of town, the course primarily … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Sep 27):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 53 | 48 | 50 | 52 | 49 |
| L (°F) | 41 | 36 | 30 | 40 | 22 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
A well organized small event
Kenai River is known for Salmon run. It is fun to run on the side of the river. The start and finish area were at Kenai Chamber of Commerce and … MORE
Kenai River is known for Salmon run. It is fun to run on the side of the river.
The start and finish area were at Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center. The temperature were between 40-50F this year. It was a sunny day with light breeze. The event was enjoyable.
Good marathon—I’d do it again
Loved the race gear that they gave participants. A lot of course along the highways but there were moments with some pretty nice views. I would do this one again. … MORE
Loved the race gear that they gave participants.
A lot of course along the highways but there were moments with some pretty nice views. I would do this one again. Race was well organized.
Alaska at it's best
If you are visiting Alaska, then this is a great run to do. The Kenai area is beautiful and there are many trails to take advantage of. The HM course … MORE
If you are visiting Alaska, then this is a great run to do. The Kenai area is beautiful and there are many trails to take advantage of. The HM course is a nice loop with rolling hills. Very enjoyable. Spaghetti the night before and hot dogs after the race. Perfect.
Great Community Run
Course : pretty flat. < 350' total ascent per my Garmin. Scenary for the half isn't anything spectacular. It doesn't really go along the river, but through the city of … MORE
Course : pretty flat. < 350' total ascent per my Garmin. Scenary for the half isn't anything spectacular. It doesn't really go along the river, but through the city of Kenai. The fall colors are beautiful though.
Support: is a community run put on by the city. So very much supported by the town. Very minimal spectators though. But the volunteers were great.
Swag: The cost for the run was low relative to other halves I’ve done. But, registration included, long sleeve tech shirt, socks, finisher medal, spaghetti dinner, and raindeer sausage and beer after the run….as well as some sponsor swag. Pretty decent for the cost. However if you’re looking for a fancy medal, this isn’t it.
Lodging – lots of lodging available. It’s about 3-3.5 hr from Anchorage depending on construction. I stayed at the Tanglewood B&B. Very accommodating. Basically told me I had to check out “before 8 pm bc that’s when I get ready for bed “. So was about to come back, shower, and collect my stuff without being concerned about time! Highly recommended.
Overall it was a great local run. Hope to do it again next year!
Flat and fun
I chose this race for Alaska because it was flat and I was busy both weekends for the anchorage races. I knew going in that it was a very small … MORE
I chose this race for Alaska because it was flat and I was busy both weekends for the anchorage races. I knew going in that it was a very small race and I would be running alone. That was hard, but the weather cooperated and there was a man grilling hotdogs at the end and cold drinks.
We could wait inside with a heated room and a flush toilet before the race started. I stayed right in Kenai and the logistics were very easy— was able to get a shower at the laundromat, which the Chamber of Commerce told me about.
I enjoyed the water stations—carried a handheld bottle for the first time in a race and they filled it for me. I had one lady cut open my gu which I tore poorly and then couldn’t get open. (Bring your own gu.)
The course was mostly along two-lane “highways “ with not much traffic and a good sized shoulder. There were nice tall forests with changing fall leaves at times. It reminded me of other western races in that it just felt like the landscape was so big and straight (even though there were turns and it wasn’t point to point. It was a giant loop). Reminded me of bemidji blue ox, Windermere, Jackson hole. That said , the views on the course were not as great as the views on the drive down from anchorage—wow!
I would recommend this race—well organized, small town charm, and socks and a t-shirt as swag!
First Marathon
I ran this race with an injury, so my time was less than ideal. The course is so flat and the weather nice and cool you could really crush this … MORE
I ran this race with an injury, so my time was less than ideal. The course is so flat and the weather nice and cool you could really crush this course. The course is a gorgeous loop from Kenai to Soldtna and back. The fall colors and running through the trees and over the river is amazing. The last few miles are on the sidewalk next to the road so it’s less pretty, but they packed the best aid stations for last. All aid stations were volunteers that had a ton of snack options. They were really encouraging toward the end. No spectators or crowd at the end as this is a tiny marathon! At some points I was completely alone on the course. They do give you a piping hot hot dog at the end. Small medal, but great shirt! Worth doing if you like running alone.