Bear Tooth Marathon Relay

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.

Relay Divisions (tentative)

Male, Female, Masters, Mixed, Military, Corporate. First place in each division receives an award.

Start/Finish Area

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

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 marathon course is USATF certified. View the course certification document.

Best Places to Watch the Events

Elderberry Park
Westchester Lagoon
Lyn Ary Park
Postmark Aid Station
Woronzof Aid Station
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 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 marathon course map.

Course Profile

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