Skinny Raven Half Marathon

Photograph of half marathon runners passing entertainers.

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.

Start/Finish Area

The half marathon starts and finishes in downtown Anchorage near Town Square and the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts.

Awards

Top three male and female finishers in each age group (five years deep) receive an award. Award ceremonies for each race will be held in Town Square.

Aid Stations

All aid stations will have water and nearly all will have Gatorade. The event does not provide food at any of the aid stations; this is a "BYOGu" event, so be sure to pack some with you if needed. Aid stations are located approximately every 2 miles. For exact locations, please see the appropriate course map.

Medical Support

Two formal medical tents will be set up along the Big Wild Life Runs Course: one at Westchester Lagoon, and one at the Start/Finish area. Medical personnel, primarily resident physicians from Providence Family Practice Residency program, will patrol the course and provide first aid as needed.

USATF Certification

The Big Wild Life Runs half marathon course is USATF certified. View the official course certification document.

Best Places to Watch the Event

Elderberry Park
Westchester Lagoon
Valley of the Moon Park
Woodside/East Chester Park
Davenport Fields
Tikishla Park/Scotty Gomez Ice Rink

Entertainment

There will be entertainers at various points along the course and at the finish to encourage and energize the runners.

Maps

We would like to thank Brian Looney and CRW Engineering Group, LLC for providing these maps. Thanks also go to Bonnie Swanson, Big Wild Life Runs Executive Race Committee, for spearheading the mapping project and to Heidi Beer and Shane Garling, also volunteers, for helping. View the half marathon course map.

Course Profile

The graphic shows an approximation of the course profile and is not to scale.

Course Directions

Detailed directions are compiled on a separate page. View the directions page.

Still have questions?

Please check the FAQ page by clicking here.

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