8-Day Running Adventure in Alaska

8 Days, Multiple Departures

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8-Day Running Adventure in Alaska
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Itinerary
  • Location
  • Things to keep in mind
  • FAQ

With ample space for wildlife to thrive, species like bear, wolf, and caribou carve out their niche on the mainland. In the seas, humpback whales swim about and cheerful puffins hang around the coast. 

Dip your toes in chilly Alaskan waters and get hooked on this remarkable region.

Trip Highlights:

Raft among the icebergs
Meet Iditarod huskies
Soar up to Denali - This activity depends on weather conditions.

Alaska is often called "America's Last Frontier" because of its rugged landscape and distance from the contiguous United States. But few people know that its namesake comes from the Aluet word Alyeska which means "The Great Land."

Alaska boasts eight national parks and over 57 million acres of designated wilderness land. Further, it is home to 17 of the 20 tallest mountaintops in the United States. We'll fly over Denali on our visit to the area. Grab your binoculars and get ready to spot some wildlife because people travel from all over the world to see Alaska's Big 5: bear, moose, Dall sheep, wolf, and caribou. 

With all it has to offer, "The Great Land" is the perfect moniker for this rich natural wonder.

About

Daily afternoon activities with local guides

Hotels, meals, and local transport included!

Guided trail runs and hikes (7-12K each)

These are fast-paced events. We'll send you a packing list before the trip to help you feel ready to tackle...well, just about anything!

"What’s not to love?!? I have been involved with them since the inaugural Yellowstone half and every single time I am impressed with how well-organized and amazing each race is. From the beautiful race destinations, the swag, the communication, and amazing support…. I can’t say enough good about every single person who has a part in making these races happen. Thank you, team!"

- Participant

"So far, of all the races I've run, this one has been the best-supported race with the coolest finish. This was a tough and rewarding course. I will do it again."

- Kelly Harnett

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8-Day Running Adventure in Alaska
About The Host

Tireless travel directors, local guides, trail runners, photography gurus, and staff medics...we're all here to make your experience one for the ages.

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Acnhorage

You’ll arrive in Anchorage by Saturday afternoon and either take a taxi or airport shuttle to the hotel for our first night.

We’ll check you in that evening and get everyone oriented for what to expect throughout the week. This is also your first chance to meet your fellow adventurers! Dinner and drinks are included the first night as we kick off a grand week.

Day 2: Independence Mine State Park | Denali Flight

We will wake up early and head to our run at the historic Independence Mine State Park. As we get out of the city and into the countryside, you will notice the greenery and the trees grow in both beauty and denseness as we climb in elevation. Once we reach the mine and ghost town, you’ll see why they knew there was gold in these hills. Here is where we'll start the week with an epic run. After our run, we’ll take a small tour of the buildings we just ran through.

Following the run, we'll head north toward Talkeetna. As we drive, you will notice the high walls of impressive mountains filled with wildflowers. Keep your eyes peeled, Denali makes cameos on our drive!

A trip to Alaska isn't complete without seeing Denali National Park from its most impressive view: the air! We will go in groups in airplanes where we will soar above glaciers and snow-capped mountain peaks. We will land on the glacier and spend a few minutes there before taking off and finishing the tour and exploring the east and south faces including Ruth Glacier, Sheldon Amphitheater, and the Great Gorge.

We spend the night in Talkeetna.


NOTE: This activity is subject to change due to weather conditions. Weather in the mountain passes changes quickly and we may not be able to provide this experience on every trip. When this happens, we will provide an alternative activity for the group.

Day 3: Denali State Park | Curry Ridge

Today we will drive north a bit and run Curry Ridge — overlooking the valley and Chulitna River, with Denali peak looming toward the west.

After our run and a little lunch, the afternoon is yours to relax, explore, or do some souvenir shopping in Talkeetna.

Day 4: Blue Ice | Seward

We'll wake up before the sun! Just kidding, it's July in Alaska, the sun never quite sets at this time of year. We'll start the morning by heading south back to Kenai Peninsula. We'll grab lunch along the way and then hit our run at the Blue Ice Trail! This is a fast run along a beautiful river with hanging glaciers above. We will end at Portage Lagoon where the brave or crazy have the chance of going for a little swim.

From there we will continue our drive to Seward where we will be staying for the next 3 nights. After check in we will take short drive to begin our next adventure a 2 mile dog sled ride through the Seward Wilderness. Upon return to the kennel we can tour the kennel facilities and cuddle adorable Alaskan husky puppies.

We'll finish the day with a group dinner rest and recount the day's adventures.

Day 5: Caines Head

We will start today's adventure at Miller’s Landing with a 4 mile water taxi ride out to Caines Head State Recreation Area. We will run through the old WW2 fort and learn a little about our country’s history on our run.

Afterwards, we’ll eat lunch on the beach, before catching a water taxi to Seward. Then, the afternoon is yours for souvenir shopping in Seward. Oh, and a chance to wash your clothes on-site at the hotel.

Day 6: Mount Marathon

We'll wake up and run from our hotel on part of the incredible and infamous Mount Marathon course. We of course don’t want a trip to the hospital which is located at the base of the course near the finish line. For our run we'll get all the views without the stitches.

Once we come down the beautiful mountain we'll enjoy a late lunch overlooking the Seward waterfront. Relax and unwind in Seward this evening!

Day 7: Spencer Glacier

Our final full day has arrived! We'll have a slower morning today so you can soak up a few final hours in Seward. After breakfast, we're off to Kenai Fjords National Park where we'll visit Exit Glacier, the first of two glaciers we'll see today!

Then, we journey by bus to Portage where we'll board a train that to see the cool blue icebergs of Spencer Glacier! Our train journey takes us back to the frontier days as we head deep into the Alaskan wilderness. At Spencer Glacier we'll run towards our final finish line at a lagoon! Here you can raft among the icebergs before finally heading back to Anchorage.

Tonight we celebrate! We'll enjoy a final dinner and closing ceremonies before saying our good-byes on Saturday.

Day 8: Depart from Anchorage

It's time to say good-byes! We'll already be in Anchorage, so you may plan your departing flight for any point in the day.


Location
Things to keep in mind

Refunds are only available for trips that are happening in the future. You cannot receive a refund for an event that has passed. Further, you cannot receive a refund for a deferred or transferred registration. If your registration meets these two criteria, your refund options are as follows.

3+ months before the trip, you are able to receive a full refund on your payment contributions minus a 5% processing fee (this fee covers non-refundable costs we incur from our booking platform and card payment facility)

Between 1-3 months before the trip, you are able to receive a partial refund. Your refund amount is your payment contributions minus a 5% processing fee and minus $1,500 to account for non-refundable booking fees that we have paid our in-country hosts (these typically include payments for transportation, hotels, staff, meals, and activities).

Less than 1 month before the trip, you are still able to receive a partial refund. Your refund amount is your payment contributions minus a 5% processing fee and minus $3,000 to account for non-refundable booking fees that we have paid our in-country hosts (these typically include payments for transportation, hotels, staff, meals, and activities).

Covid-19 Policy (updated!)

As of September 1, 2022, a Covid-19 vaccination is no longer required to attend a trip. This decision comes after we’ve reviewed the recommendations from the United States CDC and the various health recommendations of the countries where we travel.

While not required, we recommend the vaccine for those who don’t have infection-induced immunity. We trust that you will make the best decision for your health.

Coverage: You may want to consider travel insurance for such an epic adventure! 

Travel Restrictions: Vacation Races does not require a COVID-19 vaccine to attend our trips. Please check with the local authority of your destination country to see the latest travel recommendations.

Kayak.com also maintains a useful tool for checking international travel restrictions.

Training: Adventurers of various skill levels can enjoy our running adventures. If you want to train, we recommend working up to back-to-back trail runs with varied elevation gain.

FAQ