Valley Thaw Out Races

🌱 Welcome to the Valley Thaw Out Races!

Come join us as we celebrate the start of running season in Alaska with the Valley Thaw Out Races!

• Date: 2026-04-25
• Location: 4350 Bodenburg Loop, Palmer, AK
• Distance Options: Kids Fun Run, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Full Marathon
• Family Friendly: Distances for everyone!

🏃‍♂️ The Course

All races will start and finish at Pyrah's Pioneer Peak Farm on Bodenburg Loop.

• 5K: Course will be an out and back on Bodenburg Loop. (Ages 7+)
• 10K: Runners will head out on Bodenburg Loop until they reach the Glenn Highway, turn RIGHT onto the bike path and run down to the next Bodenburg Loop Rd where they turn RIGHT again to follow the road back to Pyrah's. (Ages 7+)
• Half Marathon: Runners will head out on Bodenburg Loop until they reach the Glenn Highway, turn LEFT onto the bike path and continue until the turnaround by Virginia Ave. Runners will then return following the bike path. (Ages 10+)
• Marathon: Runners will head out on Bodenburg Loop until they reach the Glenn Highway, turn LEFT onto the bike path to the turnaround at the Trunk roundabout. Full course still in creation. (Ages 14+)
• Kid's Run: A fun loop around the beautiful farmlands of Pyrah's Pioneer Peak Farm. (Ages 10 & under.)

🚦 Course Restrictions

• Traffic: We will NOT be closing traffic to Bodenburg Loop Road. Runners will run on the shoulder against traffic.
• Age Restrictions: 5K & 10K (Ages 7+), Half Marathon (Ages 10+), Marathon (Ages 14+).
• Safety: Children under 10 must have an adult accompanying them.
• Prohibited: NO strollers or dogs allowed on the course.

🎟️ Race Caps

In compliance with our permits for this event, the race cap is 250 participants across all divisions (excluding kids run).

🕒 Start Times

• Marathon: 9:00 AM
• Half Marathon: 10:00 AM
• 10K: 10:30 AM
• 5K: 11:00 AM
• Kids Run: 11:30 AM

📍 Bib Pickup

Thursday, April 23: 5:00-7:00 PM at AKtive Soles Performance Footwear, Wasilla

Saturday, April 25: at registration tent at Pyrah's

• Marathon: 8:00-8:30 AM
• Half Marathon: 9:00-9:30 AM
• 10K: 9:30-10:00 AM
• 5K: 10:00-10:30 AM

🏅 Race Swag

All 5K/10K/Half/Marathon finishers will receive:

• 2026 Race Shirt*
• Finisher's Medal
• VTOR Sticker

Kid's finishers will receive:

• Finisher's Token
• VTOR Sticker

*NOTE: The last day to register and be guaranteed a shirt is Saturday, March 21, 2026.

📝 Registration Policy

Registration opens on November 7, 2025 at 8:00 AM and closes on April 18, 2026 at midnight. There will be NO refunds or deferments allowed.

❤️ Race Partner

The Valley Thaw Out Races is a fundraising event for the MatSu Running Club, a non-profit running club in the Matanuska Susitna Valley. A portion of the race proceeds support their mission. For more information, you can visit their website here: MatSu Running Club

🔗 More Information

For further details, visit the race page: Valley Thaw Out Races.