Races

Come join us as we celebrate the start of running season in Alaska with the Valley Thaw Out Races!   Grab your friends, family, and cohorts and sign up to run some spring miles together! There is a distance for everyone at this family friendly race. Races include a kids Fun Run, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and NEW this year...a Full Marathon. Please see age restrictions for each distance.  The Valley Thaw Out Races are a fundraiser for the MatSu Running Club, a non profit group offering coached running workouts and group runs throughout the spring and summer.  THE COURSE:All races will start and finish at Pyrah's Pioneer Peak Farm on Bodenburg Loop. 4350 Bodenburg Loop, Palmer, AK 99645 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, they will then turn RIGHT onto the bike path and run down to the next Bodenburg Loop Rd where they will turn RIGHT again and follow the road back to Pyrah

About the Why Not Tri We're a great local triathlon to welcome beginners to the sport but also challenge the experienced athlete. Racers will complete a 400 yard swim, 8.5 mile bike, and a 5k cross country run. Join us for our adult solo or team relay race or get the little ones involved with our Kids Race for the budding triathletes ages 6-12. Why Not Tri was started to promote healthy lifestyles and introduce the fun sport of triathlon to the community.  We couldn't have made it possible without our racers, volunteers, and sponsors over the last several years.  Thank you! We are proud to donate to the ALS Therapy Development Institute.  ALS is a progressive disease that deteriorates the muscles, and there currently is no cure.  Thank you for donating to the cause!

Join us for a community 5K trail race dedicated to raising funds for Kuuk Water. The Run for Impact 5k is more than just a race—it’s an opportunity for individuals, families, and local businesses to come together in support of Kuuk Water’s mission to serve Alaskan communities. This event directly benefits Kuuk’s ongoing initiatives, including disaster relief efforts, clean water access, community recycling programs, youth-focused services such as Kid’s Cupboard, and broader community improvement projects across Alaska. Participants of all ages and abilities are encouraged to lace up and join the cause. The 5K distance is welcoming for beginners while still offering a rewarding challenge for experienced runners, creating a shared sense of accomplishment for everyone involved. By participating, you’re not only embracing a healthy and energizing activity—you’re helping provide essential resources, strengthen local communities, and support meaningful, on-the-ground projects that make a las

THE HOURGLASS: VALLEYBig mountains. Shrinking clock. — June 27, 2026 (Palmer/Mat-su)   The Hourglass blends fun, challenge, and community in a way most races don’t. You’ll laugh, you’ll struggle, you’ll meet new friends — and you’ll quickly understand why this event represents the heart of Toughest Alive: stay in the fight. It’s a simple you vs. you format that creates big moments and even bigger memories. It is a last-person-standing style run/ruck/hybrid/carry event that will leave you inspired. The Summer Edition Hourglass is at the Crevasse–Moraine Trailhead in Palmer, AK. Start with a 30:00 round, complete your loop and restart the next with 1:00 minute less every reset — keep beating the clock to earn your next start. Choose your category, bring your grit, and come suffer (and smile) with the community.   DATE / TIME / LOCATIONDate: June 27, 2026Location: Crevasse–Moraine Trailhead, Palmer, AK ScheduleCheck-in: 9:15 AMRace brief: 9:45 AMStart time: 10:00 AM THE HOURGLASS FORMATYo

Starting at Government Peak Recreation Area parking lot runners will make their way up Government Peak via the race trail. Once to the top of Government Peak participants will continue to follow the ridge line over to April Bowl and down to the Summit Lake Parking lot. Once at the parking lot runners will continue down the road to Independence Mine! The race itself is about 8 miles with around 5,000ft vertical gain. This race is challenging and covers a variety of terrain including steep uphill trail, loose rock, shale, tundra, dirt road and a tiny portion of paved road at the very end.  Weather and conditions can change the terrain very quickly making it more difficult/dangerous. It is ultimately the responsibility of the participant to be aware of their surroundings.   Registration Dates for 2026:  Registration will open on January 1 at 6am and closes on August 8th at 11:59pm *See pricing by dates at the very bottom of this page* Registrations completed after July 25th are not guaran

Join us at Matanuska Lakes State Rec Area for an exciting day of trail running! Whether you are a seasoned trail runner or a beginner taking your first steps into the world of trail running, this event is designed to embrace all ages and abilities, with varying distances to suit your preference. This is an opportunity to challenge yourself, push your limits, and discover the power within you. We encourage you to bring your family, friends, and colleagues to join in the fun!   Registration Dates for 2026: Early Bird Registration opens on Thursday, Jan 1, 2026 at 6:00am  Price increase on May 1, 2026 Registration closes on Sunday, September 19, 2026 at 11:59pm. Register by Saturday, September 5 to be guaranteed shirt and size! Race Date: Saturday, September 26th, 2026 (NOTE: We've moved the race to a Saturday instead of the usual Sunday date.)   Race Start Times: 50K: 8:00AM25K: 8:30AM10K: 9:00AM5K: 9:30AM1.5 Mile: 10:00AM  Bib Pick Up: All bibs will be picked up race day at the star

Don't be scared, it's only a mile (ish).   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 CircleMile 10.6 Palmer-Fishhook Rd.Palmer, AK 99645   WHEN: Saturday, October 11, 2025   TIMES: 12 Hour - 8:00AM 8 Hour (NEW) - 12:00PM 6 Hour - 8:00AM  4 Hour - 8:00AM OR 12:00PM   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 counter clockwise. After completing one full loop, runners will head back down Altitude and check in at the