Prince of Wales Island Marathon

The Prince of Wales Island Marathon is a destination race for both runners and walkers in Southeast Alaska. We are the race venue for those seeking a challenge and stunning scenery in a unique locale.

Our out-and-back course starts at the backdrop of the Sunnahae Mountain at Craig High School and heads north along the Klawock Channel, through the village of Klawock, turning left at the Native clan house, and proceeding along Boundary Road, which turns into Big Salt Lake Highway, and affords views of some of our most majestic lakes, clear streams, and muskeg areas. The middle, more mountainous portion of the full marathon course presents challenges, but equally inspires participants with Southeast Alaska’s natural beauty. The out-and-back half marathon course follows the full marathon course but does not venture into this more mountainous portion. Wildlife sightings are not uncommon on race day. Aid stations on the course will close at 4:00 p.m. on race day. The Prince of Wales Island Marathon is the standard marathon distance of 26.2 miles and is USATF certified, #AK14007FW. Race times may be used as time qualifiers for the Boston Marathon.

There are fifteen aid stations located along the out-and-back marathon course, providing intensive support in the form of hydration as well as lemon drops, fruit, other forms of nutrition, along with an abundance of moral support and good cheer. Aid stations are also supplied with basic first aid supplies and clothing drop bags. Aid stations compete for our coveted traveling trophy each year, making their efforts to serve all participants go way beyond that proverbial extra mile. Support vans constantly cover the course and provide rides to relay participants along with other needed support. Four EMT crews are on the course throughout the day to address more intensive medical needs.

The race starts and finishes at Craig High School. Participants may partake of a free grilled hamburger/salmon feed along with other finish line food items from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Meals may be purchased by nonparticipants. Our homemade cookie station and the opportunity to purchase post-race massages will also be available. A display board will exhibit finishers’ bib tags by race category, designating name and race time.

Prince of Wales Island is located within the temperate Tongass National Rain Forest, providing excellent running and walking conditions. Typically, temperatures at the start of the race are in the low fifties and may even climb up to the mid-sixties by early afternoon. One race day did provide us with temperatures that reached the low eighties by mid-afternoon – a truly rare experience. Rain is always a possibility; however, partial sun, cloudy skies, and light mists have more often been experienced on race day.

Prince of Wales Island is part of the Alexander Archipelago in the southernmost portion of the Alaska panhandle and is the third largest island in the United States. Our island is 135 miles long and 40 miles across. Its 900 miles of coastline has numerous bays, coves, inlets and points. The landscape is characterized by steep forested mountains and deep U-shaped valleys that were carved by glacial ice that once covered this area. It is a lush rain forest environment, with summer temperatures that range from 45 to 75 degrees F; yearly precipitation averages from 60 to 120 inches, based on the exact locale.

The most prevalent mammals in the area are black bears, wolves, Sitka blacktail deer, martens, river otters, sea lions, seals and beaver. One of the most thrilling birds is the bald eagle, and the trickster raven makes many appearances also. Many species of whales are in the surrounding waters. Our island’s surrounding waters are also recognized as a prime fishing spot where king salmon, cohos, sockeye salmon, dog salmon, and halibut may be caught. Stream fishing is also popular, along with hiking, kayaking, camping, and photography.