Everything about this race is amazing. It feels like a celebration of community and like every single person there is proud of you for finishing. The course is mostly rolling … MORE
Everything about this race is amazing. It feels like a celebration of community and like every single person there is proud of you for finishing. The course is mostly rolling hills, but the scenery is so stunning that you won’t even notice! The swag bag is generous and there are bonus items for out-of-state runners. There are plenty of aid stations. The aid stations compete for a trophy that declares them as the best aid station for that year, so they all cheer loudly and are ready with water and Gatorade (and sometimes other things like bananas or pickle juice). There are plenty of activities/gatherings the day before and then the afternoon after the race. They had a free slice of pizza for runners post-race and homemade cookies too! The only downside is that transport from either the ferry or the small airport to Craig is hard if you don’t have connections on the island. We had family that dropped off a car at the ferry terminal, but I’m not sure how other out-of-state/off-island runners get to Craig. But don’t let that deter you from this amazing race! If you are going to run a race in Alaska, make it this one!!
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A New Favorite Race!
Everything about this race is amazing. It feels like a celebration of community and like every single person there is proud of you for finishing. The course is mostly rolling … MORE
Everything about this race is amazing. It feels like a celebration of community and like every single person there is proud of you for finishing. The course is mostly rolling hills, but the scenery is so stunning that you won’t even notice! The swag bag is generous and there are bonus items for out-of-state runners. There are plenty of aid stations. The aid stations compete for a trophy that declares them as the best aid station for that year, so they all cheer loudly and are ready with water and Gatorade (and sometimes other things like bananas or pickle juice). There are plenty of activities/gatherings the day before and then the afternoon after the race. They had a free slice of pizza for runners post-race and homemade cookies too! The only downside is that transport from either the ferry or the small airport to Craig is hard if you don’t have connections on the island. We had family that dropped off a car at the ferry terminal, but I’m not sure how other out-of-state/off-island runners get to Craig. But don’t let that deter you from this amazing race! If you are going to run a race in Alaska, make it this one!!
Great run… lots of coordination required
-difficulty: not steep hills… but lots of them! Elevation pic for half uploaded - scenery: was great! Mostly along a coast line. Would have been better if it wasn’t raining. … MORE
-difficulty: not steep hills… but lots of them! Elevation pic for half uploaded
– scenery: was great! Mostly along a coast line. Would have been better if it wasn’t raining. But I won’t hold that against them🙃
-swag: got a insulated drawstring bag with a toiletries (toothbrush, hand sanitizer, muscle cream, Vaseline, chapstick, bandaids, nail file, hand soap paper), canned salmon, post card and luggage tag. Out of staters will get a coin. Shirt is long sleeve tech shirt. Finishers get medal and pin. After meal was a slice of pizza and trail mix, Gatorade, fruit, bagels, PB. I was told there was less this yr than others.
– ok… organization. Organization for the run itself was not lacking. But I think for being an island that takes a LOT of coordination to get to, they could have done better helping out of Towners with coordination. I saw multiple folks walking to the run… from 2-5 miles away. In addition, for those that came in on the ferry … cabs were like $80 to get from ferry to area of run as many stated they couldn’t find rental cars. Everyone who travels knows costs accumulate. But for here- there isn’t just costs, there’s lack of resources.
I rented a car in Ketchikan and put it on the ferry to have a vehicle here. Highly advised. Plus then you can explore the island!!
Over all I would love to do it again, and would suggest anyone do it ONLY if you have transportation. I would not recommend it otherwise as I don’t think you can get the true experience if the race weekends and island. Community was great!!! Just needs transportation coordination
Forget Mayor's...do this race
My favorite US race. As an out-of-towner, treatment is second to none. You get a "welcome mat." They pick a spirit animal, then someone in town colors in the spirit … MORE
My favorite US race. As an out-of-towner, treatment is second to none. You get a “welcome mat.” They pick a spirit animal, then someone in town colors in the spirit animal with your name and hometown. The goody bag is a real goody bag. This year it was a dry bag (waterproof) filled with all kinds of stuff. The scenery was spectacular. But it is a tough race, uphill on the way out and rollers when it isn’t uphill. Post race “snack” was salmon or a burger with salads and desert. The winners got hand crafted wood paddles. They had an ice cream social with door prizes for those who could stay around. You got one ticket for running and could buy more. The drawing took almost an hour they had so much to give away. And the people couldn’t have been nicer. They made me feel like I was a local. I really think because of the location (it is definitely hard to get to, the last leg into Klawok is via a single engine Cessna Caravan or the ferry) they are looking for any excuse to have a party. Anyway, this is a great race!!!
Stunning!
The scenery is stunning. However it is a challenge to get to this race. It was a very delightful race but has the feel of a small town 5K. MORE
The scenery is stunning. However it is a challenge to get to this race. It was a very delightful race but has the feel of a small town 5K.
A must do, especially for 50 Staters
My second time to POW for the marathon. This is not easy to get to, but an absolute must for anyone looking to check off Alaska or just in the … MORE
My second time to POW for the marathon. This is not easy to get to, but an absolute must for anyone looking to check off Alaska or just in the mood for a destination race. The community and organization are second to none.