Death By a Mile

🏃‍♂️ Race Overview

Join us for the third year of this challenging Black Wolf Endurance race and our 2026 season finale at Skeetawk Ski Area where the only goal is to run as many one mile hill loops as you can in a given amount of time. Choose from 12, 8, 6, or 4 hours of racing the beautiful new Meadow Loop trail atop Skeetawk in Hatcher Pass.

📍 Where

13500 N. Skeetawk Circle
Mile 10.6 Palmer-Fishhook Rd.
Palmer, AK 99645

🗓️ When

Saturday, October 10, 2026

⏰ Times

• 12 Hour: 8:00 AM
• 8 Hour (NEW): 12:00 PM
• 6 Hour: 8:00 AM
• 4 Hour: 8:00 AM OR 12:00 PM

🏞️ Course

Runners will begin at the start tent in the Skeetawk parking lot and make their way up the Altitude gravel path (.39 miles) before veering left to the entrance of the Meadow Loop trail (.54 miles). Here runners may choose to run the Meadow Loop in the direction of their choice, clockwise or counterclockwise. After completing one full loop, runners will head back down Altitude and check in at the start tent before heading back up on their next loop.

💧 Aid

Bring whatever food/nutrition you think you might need for the duration of the race along with anything else that comes to mind... (chairs, coolers, towels, blankets, etc.) We'll provide Water and Electrolytes and a variety of aid station snacks. The Skeetawk Yurt will be open for warmth and coffee for purchase (and maybe even a mid-race beer).

📅 Race Day

• Check-in Time: All runners who are starting at 8 AM will check in and pick up bibs from 7-7:30 AM at the Yurt. A brief pre-race meeting will begin at 7:45 AM at the Stage.
• Late Check-in: All runners who are starting after 8 AM will check in at the Black Wolf Endurance start tent 30 minutes prior to their race start.

📜 Rules

• Honesty: You must complete a full loop before coming back to the start tent to get your bib punched.
• Respect: Skeetawk has worked hard to create these trails and we hope to continue this race in the future.
• Simplicity: Show up. Get your bib. Start on time. Run loops. Stop when the time is up.
• Fun: This race format allows for some great social running and opportunities to make new running friends!

❓ Answers

Because I know you have questions...

• Loop Timing: There is no time limit on individual loops. Run as fast or as slow as you want.
• Loop Count: Loops will not be timed period. We only care how many you do.
• Winner Determination: Winner will be the first person to complete the most amount of loops in their time division.
• Taking Breaks: Yes, you can take a break in between loops. Just know someone else is probably not taking a break.
• On-Site Requirement: No, you cannot go home and come back. You must be on site for the duration of your race time.
• Weather Awareness: The weather will probably be weather. Plan for everything.
• Dark Conditions: Yes, it may get dark(ish). Bring a headlamp for early/late running hours.
• Course Awareness: If you read the words "death", "ski area", and "altitude" and still think this course is flat, please take a moment to pause on registering for any more races until your head clears. The Kool-Aid shouldn't be that strong.
• Minors: Minors are welcome from the ages of 12-17 for any session of time. Parent/guardian must be on site for the duration of the run.
• Kid Loop: Children under the age of 12 may sign up for the Kid Loop to run any amount or duration of loops with a parent/guardian who is registered. Must be running with a parent at all times. They do NOT have to run the entire duration of time the parent is registered for.
• Crew Set Up: Runners may use the Skeetawk Yurt, their vehicle, or a personal canopy to set up to crew themselves for the duration of the race.
• Yurt Services: The Yurt will be open and selling coffee and drinks (beer, etc.) for participants and spectators.
• Pre-Race Updates: A few other details are in the works. Check your email at least once before the race for updates/pre-race info.

🏆 Awards

An award will be given to each individual who is the first to complete the most amount of laps per time period. (1-12hr, 1-8hr, 1-6hr, 2-4hr). Everyone else will be given Strava kudos and an invitation to come back next year and try harder. (Who are we kidding, we'll have finisher awards.)

🗺️ Map

You won't need it but just in case...

Strava-Death By a Mile

https://skeetawk.com/summer-trails

🙏 Thank You to Skeetawk!

A portion of your race registration, as well as any donations made through RunSignUp, will be donated to Skeetawk for the continued growth of their ski and recreational area. Additional donations can be made here: https://skeetawk.com/donate

For more information, visit our official race page.