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Alaska > Kenai River Marathon, Half Marathon &
Relay
Kenai,
AK
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Date
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Event
Details
The majestic scenery of Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, with snow-capped
mountain peaks reflected in the brilliant blue waters of Cook Inlet, is
on display at the annual early autumn running of the Kenai River
Marathon, Half Marathon & Relay, a race that's open to both
runners and walkers and which takes participants on an out-and-back
loop course along the Unity Trail that connects Kenai with the nearby
town of Soldotna, which lies right on the Kenai River and is famed for
its river fishing as well as for hiking, camping and just enjoying
Alaska's wild outdoors.
From the starting line near the office of the Kenai Convention
& Visitors Bureau on Overland Avenue, the half marathon (like
the full marathon and relay) starts runners and walkers off with a
quick stretch through the downtown city streets, with turns on Mission
Avenue, Main Street, Broad Street and Frontage Road before turning left
and heading north along Willow Street. The route then turns right and
heads south along Airport Highway and Walker Lane to Beaver Loop Road,
which those running the half marathon then follow as its heads
southward and then curves around northward back up toward Spur Highway,
where it meets the Unity Trail.
A more than 20-mile-long trail for cyclists, runners, walkers, joggers
and inline skaters that connects Kenai with Soldotna, the Unity Trail
serves as the path for much of the full marathon, and those running the
half follow it for the next four miles of the race, as the course takes
them back into downtown Kenai for the finish line back at the
Convention and Visitors Bureau office. While the half marathon doesn't
cross it, runners and walkers will get a chance to see the Kenai River
off in the distance as well as the mountains that surround the local
area.
By most larger-race standards, the Kenai River Marathon, Half Marathon
& Relay is definitely a smaller event, as it drew a field of
just over 75 finishers in all three races combined at its fall 2008
running. What it lacks in numbers it more than makes up for with
natural beauty, however, as past participants attest.
Race
Weather & Climate
Located in southern Alaska, overlooking the waters of the Cook Inlet
and about a three-hour drive from Anchorage to its northeast,
the city of Kenai typically experiences moderately cool to occasionally
cold weather conditions in the early fall, and usually sees its wettest
weather of the year in the month the race is held. In September, the
city's average monthly temperatures range between 55°F and
39°F, while precipitation amounts average just over 3.3 inches
for the month.
Fees
$35 for the half marathon, if registered by September 5, 2009
$45 after Sept. 5
Registration
To reserve your spot in the fall 2009 running of the Kenai River
Marathon, Half Marathon or Relay, register online at the event website.
Website
www.kenairivermarathon.org
Half
Marathon Course Map
Share
Your Race Story
Ever run in Alaska's annual Kenai River Marathon, Half Marathon or
Relay?
Share
your impressions and read fellow runners' stories
and tips for the event.
Post your comments in Runner Reviews for the Kenai River Half
Marathon
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