The marathon attracts local Anchorage runners as well as athletes from out of state; almost a third of the 317 finishers in 2011 were from out of town and many belonged to the Fifty States Marathon Club or Marathon Maniacs. The course is relatively flat, is USATF-certified, and is a Boston Marathon qualifier.

Marathoners and half marathoners start together, wind through downtown streets, then head out onto the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. When runners reach Westchester Lagoon (approximately mile 3), half marathoners split off to the left, while marathoners bear right to continue along the Coastal trail. They follow the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail alongside Knik Arm to a turnaround point known by locals as “the Blue Bridge.” Runners then head north back to Westchester Lagoon where they veer right (east) onto the Chester Creek Trail. From the Chester Creek turnaround at Goose Lake, runners return to the Lagoon and head back to the finish line in downtown Anchorage.

Participants receive a long-sleeve technical shirt and a finisher medal. The race is professionally timed. Start time is 9:00 a.m. Limited to 500 runners. More info ...

This is a 4-person relay. In 2011 there were over 130 teams. The legs of the relay are approximately 5.8, 7.3, 6.9, and 6.2 miles respectively. The first and second exchange stations are both located at the parking lot near the intersection of Postmark Drive and Northern Lights Blvd., and the third is located at the Goose Lake parking area. All participants receive long-sleeve technical shirts and a finisher medal. The race is professionally timed for each team, but not for individual runners. Start time is 9:00 a.m. Limited to 150 teams. More info ...

This is the most popular Big Wild Life Run with 846 finishers in 2011. This flat, fast course is USATF-certified.

Half marathoners start with full marathoners at the same time, weave through downtown Anchorage, and then follow the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail to Westchester Lagoon. At that point, marathoners bear right, while half marathoners turn left (east) to follow the Chester Creek Trail to the turnaround at Goose Lake. From that point, runners return to the lagoon, and head back to the finish line in downtown Anchorage.

Participants receive a long-sleeve technical shirt and finisher medal. The event is professionally timed. This race starts at 9:00 a.m. We expect many more runners in this event in 2012 and therefore we have limited the race size to 1,500. More info ...

This 5K race course (approximately 3.1 miles) is an out-and-back route on streets in downtown Anchorage and on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. In 2011, 733 runners crossed the 5K finish line. Participants receive a long-sleeve technical shirt and a finisher medal. The event is professionally timed. The race starts at 9:30 a.m. More info ...

The Kids 2K race (about 1.2 miles) is a no-pressure fun run. New this year the race will be held on Saturday morning, Aug. 18. at the Delaney Parkstrip. Afterward, expect family-friendly activities. Parents are welcome to run with their kids. Each kid receives a hat and a medal. Details coming soon. More info ...