Spencer Glacier Dash

🏔️ Race Overview

Come celebrate the beauty of the Spencer Glacier Area and the history of the Alaska Railroad History by racing the Spencer Glacier Overlook Trail which retraces the glacier recession over the last 100 years.

💵 Cost

Early Bird Pricing April 18th-May 2nd:

• Adult: $107 ($47 discounted train ticket plus $60 race registration fee)
• Youth: $63.50 ($23.50 discounted train ticket plus $40 race registration fee)
• Refund Policy: No refunds will be given.

Pricing May 3rd-May 17th:

• Adult: $117 ($47 discounted train ticket plus $70 race registration fee)
• Youth: $73.50 ($23.50 discounted train ticket plus $50 race registration fee)
• Refund Policy: No refunds will be given.

Pricing May 18th-May 24th:

• Adult: $127 ($47 discounted train ticket plus $80 race registration fee)
• Youth: $83.50 ($23.50 discounted train ticket plus $60 race registration fee)
• Refund Policy: No refunds will be given.

Registration closes: at midnight on May 24th roughly two weeks prior to race day due to restrictions to ticketing restrictions and when we have to submit a final manifest to the Alaska Railroad. This race is capped at 100 people.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family & Friends

Your family and friends are invited to join you at the race, but they will need to purchase tickets at the regular price, which is $94 for adults (defined as ages 12+ by the railroad), $47 for youth (ages 2-11), $47 for any youth under the age of 2 requiring their own seat, and $0 for infant sitting in a lap. During registration, you can choose a family/friend registration option. KMTA will handle all ticket purchases for racers. You can also purchase your family and friends tickets through us to make the process easier on yourself. Otherwise, you are welcome to direct your family and friends to purchase their own tickets directly through the railroad. If you have any questions, please reach out to Rachel Blakeslee at rachelblakeslee@kmtacorridor.org.

📍 Location

Take the Alaska Railroad to the starting line of the race! The cost of your ticket is included in your race registration fee. All participants must depart from the Portage Train Depot (Mile 80.3 of the Seward Highway - Look for the small, red-roofed building adjacent to the Seward Highway with a large parking lot: the railroad tracks are visible on the opposite, north side of the parking lot.)

Departure Options:

• Option 1: (camp overnight) Leave the day before (June 6th) – Train departs the Portage Railroad Depot at 1:25 PM. Be at the train station at 1:15 PM. Participants that choose to go the day before will receive their tickets at the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop the day of the race. These participants will camp at Spencer the night before.
• Option 2: (come out on race day only) Leave day of the race (June 7th) – Train departs the Portage Railroad Depot at 1:25 PM. Be at the train station by 12:45 PM to check in, receive your ticket and bib from a race greeter.

🚂 Return

Day of Race (June 7th)– Train departs from the Spencer Whistle Stop at 4:45 PM after the race is completed. Be at the train stop by 4:30 PM.

• Gear: All gear like jogging strollers, camping gear etc. can be taken to the cargo train.
• Directions: Please follow the signs at the Portage Depot.

🛍️ Gear/Bag Drop

Gear that you don’t want to carry during the race can be dropped in the Chugach Adventures Van when you first de-board the train prior to starting the race, or you can leave gear at the Whistlestop. You may also leave gear on the train as you will ride the same train back.

• Gear Policy: All gear that you are unable to carry on your person (e.g. jogging stroller) can go on the cargo train car.
• Signs: Please follow the signs which will direct you to the cargo area.

💧 Water/Snacks

Please bring your own water source and container to minimize waste. You can refill your container using the jug of water we’ll have on site. After the race, snacks will be provided.

🏃‍♂️ The Race Course

The start of the race is only accessible by riding on the Alaska Railroad. The course will begin at the Spencer Whistle Stop of the Alaska Railroad and follow the Spencer Glacier Trail to Spencer Lake. From Spencer Lake participants will run the Spencer Glacier Overlook to the end of the trail and then turnaround and race back to the Chugach Adventures Base Camp located at the boat launch for a total of 5 miles.

To return to the Whistle Spot participants may walk back to the Whistle Stop or wait for a shuttle provided by Chugach Adventures.

⏰ Race Format

All Participants will arrive at the Spencer Whistle Stop courtesy of the Alaska Railroad's Glacier Discovery Train between 1:50 PM to 2 PM.

• Estimated Start: 2:25 PM - Mass Start (One Wave with all participants)
• Note: The official start time will be determined by the arrival time of the Glacier Discovery Train to the Spencer Whistle Train Stop. Race will commence approximately 25 minutes after arrival of the train to allow all Ranger led hikers, public hikers/campers to clear the area.

👧👦 Age Limits

The Spencer Glacier Dash is open to all participants ages 8 and above. All children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult running with them for the duration of the race.

⚠️ Safety

This race does take place in bear country so please bring some bear spray! This race is under permit with the U.S. Forest Service.

🌐 More Information

You can find all race details on our event page at: https://kmtacorridor.org/spencer-glacier-dash/

🔗 Registration Link

Register for the Spencer Glacier Dash here!