Anchorage RunFest Marathon, Half Marathon, 49K & Relay

Sunday, August 20, 2023 • Anchorage, AK • Course Map

The dramatic scenery of the nearby snow-capped mountain peaks and the waters of the Cook Inlet form the backdrop for the annual summertime running of the Anchorage RunFest races, formerly known as the Big Wild Life Runs.

Organized by the Anchorage Running Club, the Humpy’s Marathon, Skinny Raven Half Marathon, Humpy’s Marathon Relay & Spenard Roadhouse 5K, offer a wide selection of races to accommodate participants at all levels of experience and athleticism.

Held the day before the main events, the Children’s Hospital at Providence Kids 2K is a no-pressure fun run on the Delaney Parkstrip. Parents are encouraged to run with their kids and afterward the whole family can enjoy a variety of activities. Just over 650 runners crossed the finish line in the half marathon in 2016.

All of the races in the event start at Humpy’s Ale House on 6th Avenue, near the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, in downtown Anchorage.

The marathon, half marathon and relay events all follow the same course for the first few miles; those running the half marathon follow H Street through a few city blocks before turning left onto 2nd Avenue, which they follow until it meets up with the trail head of the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Once on the trail, runners follow it as it winds along the channel waterfront toward Westchester Lagoon.

The half marathon route then heads off the road onto the Chester Creek Trail, following it through the city all the way into the forested East Chester Park and Goose Lake Park, as the tree-lined trail takes them to the turnaround point and turns the runners back through the park, making their way through the hilliest section of the race around the mid-point and the turnaround.

After heading back out along the Chester Creek Trail toward the coast again, those running the half marathon meet up again with the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and head northward back toward the finish line at the ale house, hitting some of the only significant hills of the 13.1-mile course along this final stretch of the race.

Runners on the course at the Skinny Raven Half Marathon in Anchorage, Alaska.

Runners at the finish line of the Skinny Raven Half Marathon in Anchorage, Alaska.

All photos courtesy Anchorage Run Fest

Race Weather & Climate

Located in the southern part of the state above the Gulf of Alaska, just north of Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and the Kenai Fjords National Park, Anchorage typically experiences mild to cool weather conditions in the late summer, and its wettest weather of the year on average during this time of year.

August 20 average low temp: 49ºF
August 20 average high temp: 63ºF

Past Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Anchorage RunFest Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

8:00 AM – 49K, marathon walk
8:30 AM – full marathon, relay
8:45 AM – half marathon
9:15 AM – 5K

Fees

$60 – $90 for the half marathon
$75 – $105 for the full marathon
$80 – $120 for the 49K
$30 – $55 for the 5K

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2023 running of the Anchorage RunFest Marathon, Marathon Relay, Half Marathon, 5K or 2K race, register online at RunSignUp.com here.

Official Race Website

anchoragerunfest.org

Comments

Ever run in the Anchorage RunFest? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.

See more races in Alaska

1 comment… add one

Don Connelly March 18, 2018, 11:51 pm

Hello
Is there race day packet pick up unless i missed it.

Don

Reply