Girdwood Marathon 2026

Event Overview

Giddy up! This trail marathon covers some of the amazing trails in Girdwood, Alaska. Our town is known for over 30 plus meandering trails through the beautiful temperate rain forest. This is NOT the race to run if it’s your first marathon. "This marathon feels like an ultra run" says marathon finishers, so perhaps volunteer to sweep race course, or work at an Aid Station your first year. Volunteers are guaranteed a spot the following year! OR...sign up for the 5K Family-Friendly Race and then volunteer and cheer on the finishers!

Race Details

• Date: October 3, 2026
• Location: Alyeska Day Lodge, Girdwood, AK
• Full Marathon Time: 9:00 AM
• Half Marathon Time: 10:00 AM

Course Information

This run includes the infamous Winner Creek Trail, the Upper, Middle, and Lower Iditarod Trails, Nordic 5K Loop, Tiny Trail, Athabascan Trail, California Creek Trail, Abe's Trail, Beaver Pond Trail, Bird-to-Gird Trail, Winner Creek Extension Trail, Alyeska Bike Path, and various Alyeska Resort mountain trails including the NEW Kettle Pond Trail.

Aid Stations

• Station 1: Alyeska Daylodge
• Station 2: Nordic 5K Loop / Winner Creek Trail connection
• Station 3: Middle Iditarod Trail at USFS parking lot
• Station 4: Crow Creek Rd at California Creek Trailhead
• Station 5: Bird-to-Gird Path Trailhead

Registration Information

Choose the full 26.2 (ish) mile marathon or 13.1 (ish) mile half-marathon, or - the 5K Race. The races start and end at the Alyeska Daylodge in Girdwood. Aid stations? Yes, we will have FIVE stations stocked with snacks and water! We have listened...more water. Got it. But we will have pitchers to fill YOUR hydration packs or bottles. Carry your water!!

Race Regulations

• Refunds: THERE ARE NO REFUNDS OFFERED. (Yes, even if the race is cancelled due to weather)
• Transfers: THERE ARE NO BIB TRANSFERS.
• Dogs: PLEASE leave your dogs at home. You can tell them about the race later. Thanks.
• Time Cut Off: Marathon ONLY - there will be a time cut off of 4.5 hours at the Crow Creek Rd Aid Station.

Safety Information

This is also a BYOBS race (Bring Your Own Bear Spray), so along with your OWN hydration and a smile, be prepared for wildlife encounters. AIRPODS are discouraged so you can stay alert to wildlife and other runners.

Post-Race Celebration

After the race will be yummy Bake Shop sweet rolls, cookies, and Coast pizza to reward your efforts and keep you around for the awards!!

Fundraiser Information

This is a fundraiser for the Girdwood Nordic Ski Club. We use the funds to maintain the snow machines for winter grooming, maintain trails, and create trail signage. We will also dedicate funds to help maintain trails on this marathon course. We do not offer refunds unless you have a really really good reason like being deployed or volunteering instead of racing. EVEN DUE TO WEATHER. We appreciate all of you coming to play outside in Girdwood and sharing our love for the Girdwood trail system. We will have three categories for each race: Men's Division, Women's Division, and Non-Binary Division.

Additional Notes

Race Day schedule and updated maps will be emailed to all Race Participants and Wait List Participants. If you are on the Wait List, you have a 51% chance of running, so keep that Saturday open. We will notify you as space opens. We will decide if Marathon Racers are running across Glacier Creek 5 days prior to the race. If the water level is too dangerous, we will choose Plan B.

Race Registration Link

For more information and to register, please visit the official race page: Girdwood Marathon Registration.

See you soon!