Mayor's Marathon

I very much enjoyed running the Mayor’s Marathon to complete Alaska for my 43rd state. It is very easy to get around in Anchorage which made logistics simple. Nice airport and reliable public mass transit. I rented an Airbnb that was 3 blocks from the finish line as well as walkable to downtown. The expo was a bit on the small size, but very organized and easy to get your bib/shirt. I took a mass transit bus to the expo. On race day, they provided a free bus to take you to start line from near the finish area in Delaney park. It was on time and very well organized. On my way to the start line I saw two mooses walking along the road! Race started in Kincaid park at an old Nike Missile base. The Mayor of Anchorage welcomed everyone and the race started on time. It was congested at the start as all 700 marathoners entered an 8-10 foot wide bicycle trail. The race eventually thinned out to make it easier to move around. It was very scenic at points and quiet. At one point during the race we had to stop to allow a moose and her two calfs to pass by! That really made it feel like I was in Alaska! I would say 90% of the race is on a paved bicycle trail There is a small part that goes through a wooded area for about 2 miles. It should be noted that from mile 11 to about mile 19 you go all up hill. It is not steep, but it did wear me down. Near the end, there is a very steep hill to get to the finish line area. It is not long, but steep! The finish area was very nice with grilled cheese , beer and even root beer! You could also sit on “Hank the Moose”, a large stuffed moose, and get a free picture. I thought this was a wonderful race and we had perfect running temperatures. I would have liked more of the course to be in the city of Anchorage so I could have seen the downtown. The medal was very nice and shirt was ok. They also provided free pictures. I had dinner at 49th State, Glacier Brewhouse and Moose Tooth Pizza. All excellent meals with the Glacier Brewhouse having the best dessert, peanut butter chocolate pie! I took a cruise a few days after the race was done to Vancouver to make this a true destination race. I would recommend this race!

Like many runners, I did this one because...Alaska. We arrived in Anchorage a few days early, and we went to the group run at Skinny Raven running store on Thursday night to meet locals and get an idea of the course. VERY glad we did that. No bears on course. Thank goodness. I am afraid of bears to the point of phobia, and the sign at about mile 16.5 that said 'Caution: Black and Brown Bears frequent this area during salmon spawning season' did not help. I covered that portion of the course very quickly. We did see a moose in the first couple of miles. Hid behind bushes until the moose vacated the area. Spectators -- none to speak of. Lots of planes taking off and landing as we passed Ted Stevens Int'l Airport. Lots of people not connected with the race on the bike paths in miles 6-15 and 19-26. I cannot thank the woman who came out to run me in enough. We'd met her at the group run on Thursday night and when she heard I was still out there she headed out and accompanied me the last 1.5 miles. THANK YOU RACHEL. I probably won't be back to do this one again any time soon -- still terrified of bears! -- however I would recommend this race to people who want to see a bit of Anchorage and want to add Alaska to their state list.

Pre race involved a packet pick and not really an expo at a local college with free parking a little ways from downtown. Race day started at a soccer field that had sufficient free parking and enough port o potties for the size of the field. A pleasant course featuring Anchorage's extensive park trail system. The first few miles are downhill, including a very steep downhill first mile. Most of the middle of the course, after about mile 7, is relatively flat until you get to a very steep climb at mile 25.5 that was reminiscent of Marine Corp's finish. Not many spectators, but there is really not many places for them to be anyway. A solid finish line experience as well with a big, impressive medal. The parking/shuttle system worked for me, but I talked with some folks who waited over an hour for the shuttle back to the start. Happily, this was not my fate. Overall, a good, low key well organized race that got all of the important things right in my opinion. Several very good breweries in Anchorage with King Street and Turnagain being my favorites. As a first time visitor to Alaska, I was stunned by the beauty and encourage everyone to plan on enjoying the area for several days.