Girdwood Marathon 2025

🏃‍♂️ Race 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 Race (new this year) and then volunteer and cheer on the finishers!

🌲 Course Details

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.

📅 Date and Time

If you love soggy October runs through Alaskan forests and perhaps losing the feeling in your toes running through glacial creeks...come join us on OCTOBER 4th, 9:00AM for Full Marathon, and 10:00AM for Half Marathon (fewer cold toes). If you have someone coming to watch, or if you both want to check out the course and have unlimited access to Aid Station Gummy Bears - then volunteer your first year...or "volun-tell" your cheerleader to help out. (Leave dogs at home) Seriously - even spectators - leave dogs at home.

🚰 Aid Stations

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

🐻 Race Guidelines

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. We will start the race with ONE WAVE PER RACE from the Alyeska Daylodge. Parking is available, as well as bathrooms, and a place to store warm gear.

⚠️ Important Information

• No Refunds: THERE ARE NO REFUNDS OFFERED. (Yes, even if the race is cancelled due to weather)
• No Bib Transfers: THERE ARE NO BIB TRANSFERS. PLEASE leave your dogs at home.
• Time Cut-off: AGAIN THIS YEAR! There will be a time cut off for the Marathon. Marathon ONLY - not half marathon.
• AirPods: 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!!

🏅 Event Purpose

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.

🔗 Registration Link

For more information and to register, visit Girdwood Marathon.

See you soon!