Calendar

2024 Grand Prix Races

SPRING

March 16, Saturday
Crazy Lazy (Palmer)

May 23, Thursday
Kal’s Knoya Ridge Run
(Anchorage)

JUNE

June 1, Saturday
Government Peak Climb (Hatcher Pass
)

June 16, Sunday
Robert Spurr Memorial Hill Climb (Bird Ridge)

June 23, Sunday
Juneau Ridge Race (Juneau)

JULY

July 4, Thursday
Mount Marathon (Seward)

July 27, Saturday
Cirque Series Alyeska (Girdwood)

AUGUST

August 3, Saturday
Matanuska Peak Challenge (Palmer)

FALL

August 25, Sunday
AMR Awards Ceremony

Other 2024 Alaska Races

SPRING

May-August
Northern Trails Running Series (Fairbanks Area)

March 24 Sunday
Arctic Valley Rally Skimo Race (Arctic Valley)

April 6 Saturday
The KrrBrrr (Palmer)

9 May Thursday
Turnagain Arm Trail Run (Anchorage)

26 May Sunday
Pillar Mountain Run (Kodiak)

JUNE

31 May-1 June Fri-Sat
Alaska Endurance Trail Run (Fairbanks)

1 June Saturday
Arctic Valley Run (Anchorage)

3-7 June Mon-Fri
AKtive Camp 231 (Palmer)

7 June Friday
Tsalteshi Backyard Ultra (Soldotna)

9 June Sunday
Spencer Glacier Dash (Portage Depot/Spencer Glacier)

21 June Friday
Denali 135 Alaska Endurance Race (Paxson)

JULY

4 July Tuesday
Anvil Mountain Run (Nome)

8 July Saturday
Mount Roberts Tram Run (Juneau)

13 July Saturday
AKtive’s Backyard Ultra (Palmer)

7 July Sunday
Reckless Raven 50 Mile Ultra and Relay (Whitehorse, Canada)

20 July Saturday
Alpine Adventure Run (Sitka)

21 July Sunday
Hope and Sunrise Wagon Trail Run (Hope)

20 July Saturday
Crow Pass Crossing
(Girdwood)

21 JulySunday
Gold Discovery Run (Fairbanks)

26-27 JulyFri-Sat
Resurrection Pass 100-mile and 50-mile
(Cooper Landing)

30 July Saturday
Takshanuk Ridge Run (Haines)

AUGUST

3 Aug Saturday
Hatcher Pass Races (Willow)

3 Aug Saturday
Drew’s Angel Creek 50 Mile and 50k (Fairbanks)

4 Aug Sunday
Yukon River Trail Marathon (Whitehorse, Canada)

10 Aug Saturday
Kesugi Ridge Traverse and Half Traverse (Denali State Park)

10 Aug Saturday
Mineshaft Grinder (Hope)

10 Aug Saturday
Nifty Fifty (Juneau)

10 Aug Saturday
Grace Ridge Race (Kachemak Bay)

17 Aug Saturday
Veins of Gold Mountain Run (Palmer)

18 Aug Sunday
Deer Mountain Challenge (Ketchikan)

24 Aug Saturday
Lost Lake Run (Seward)

FALL

1 Sept Sunday
McCarthy Half Marathon and 5-Mile Run (McCarthy)

7 Sept Saturday
Alyeska Climbathon (Girdwood)

8 Sept Sunday
The Lakes Trail Fest (Palmer)

10 Sept – 22 Oct Tuesdays
Bonnie Sosa Tuesday Night Race Series (Anchorage)

21 Sept Saturday
Equinox Marathon (Fairbanks)

5 Oct Saturday
Girdwood Trail Marathon and Half Marathon (Girdwood)

Submit a Race to the Alaska Mountain Running Calendar

2024 AMR Grand Prix Race Details

March 16, Saturday

Crazy Lazy – Palmer

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  • Description: 6-mile mountain LOOP, 3,000’ vertical
  • Race Time: 11 a.m.., Lazy Mountain Trailhead
  • Registration and Info: $40; adult registration at THIS LINK; Youth registration TBA; registration closes March 2
  • Bib pickup: ANCHORAGE: March 9, 3-5pm, Tikathnu Movie theater parking lot
            VALLEY: March 13, 4-6pm, AKtive Soles’ Wasilla
  • Race Day parking: Parking available on lower Clark-Wolverine Rd. Shuttles leave from Lazy Mountain Bible Church on Clark-Wolverine Road. No parking at trailhead.
  • Cutoffs: 45 minutes to the picnic bench and 90 minutes to the summit of Lazy Mountain.
  • Youth Race: Ends at Lazy Mountain picnic table
  • Proceeds: Benefits Mat-Su youth sports; no refunds.
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrazyLazyMountainRace
  • Contact: Race director John Clark, jjclark@gci.net

May 23, Thursday

Kal’s Knoya Ridge Run – Anchorage

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  • Description: Three UPHILL-ONLY races on rolling foothills climb and remote alpine single track.
  • Full Monty: 8.5K and 4,300′ vertical. This is the AMR Grand Prix points race unless canceled due to poor conditions.
  • The Original: 5.6K and 2900′ vertical. AMR  GRAND PRIX POINTS RACE IN 2023.
  • The Happy Trail: 2.5K and 1200′ vertical
  • All races start along the Bulldog trail east of the registration area. All races finish up the ridge. Racers must make their way back to the registration area. Plan to bring water, food and a light coat.
  • Race Time: 6 p.m.
  • Registration: Race day only from 4:30-5:45 p.m. Minors require parent or guardian signature. Make checks payable to the Alaska Ski Education Foundation.
  • Entry: Suggested donation of $30 (proceeds used to support Alaskan student-athletes)
  • Directions: Take Muldoon Rd.to Pioneer Dr., park along Pioneer near Klutina Dr., walk through gate at south end of Klutina and follow trail 300 yards to registration. Be courteous to Chugach Foothills residents when parking.
  • Permit: Except on race day, a JBER recreational access permit is required to access the area. Go to jber.recaccess.com/
  • Information and Entry Form: Bill Spencer, bill.spencer@hdrinc.com, (907) 306-0077

June 1, Saturday

Government Peak Climb – Hatcher Pass

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  • Description:
    UPHILL-ONLY, 2.9 miles, 3,700’ vertical gain
    UP-AND-DOWN, 6.75 miles with descent via Blueberry Knoll; 3700’ vertical gain and descent. Up-and-Down is the AMR Grand Prix points race.
    NOTE: those who select the Up-And-Down race will also receive an uphill-only time and be ranked in those results. However, the uphill only time and ranking will NOT be considered for Grand Prix Points because the Up-and-Down is the Grand Prix points event. The exception is for age categories 17-and-under and 60 and above, where the Uphill Only course will also count for GP points.
  • Race Time: Up-and-Down 10:30 a.m.; Uphill Only, 10:30 a.m.; Government Peak Recreation Area Community Center (GPRA Chalet)
  • Registration and Info: Opens April 15. There is no cap on the number of entrants. Online registration only, including on day of race.
  • Information: Mark Strabel, strabelracingservices@gmail.com  

June 16, Sunday

Robert Spurr Memorial Hill Climb (Bird Ridge) – Indian

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  • Description: UPHILL-ONLY, 3 miles, 3,400′ vertical
  • Race Time: 10 a.m., Bird Ridge Trailhead. No bib pickup after 9:30 a.m.
  • Parking: Use large lot (called “Bird Creek Access” lot). NO parking on Seward Highway.
  • Juniors: 17 & under course goes halfway. Youths 14-17 are allowed to enter the full-course event.
  • Registration: Opens on May 1.
  • Information: Lyon Kopsack, birdridgerace@gmail.com

June 23, Sunday

Juneau Ridge Race – Juneau

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  • Description:  15-mile LOOP course with 5000′ of vertical gain. The course leaves downtown Juneau and follows the Mount Juneau Ridge loop. Terrain is a mix of road, double-track and single-track trail. Includes 3500′ ascent of Mount Juneau and 3-mile ridge traverse.
  • Race Time: 9 a.m. Cope Park, Downtown Juneau
  • Entry: $45
  • Information and Registration: Opens March 1 HERE (limited to 135 entrants)
  • Mandatory gear: Windbreaker, emergency space blanket or bivy, long-sleeved shirt, hat, gloves, water bottle, food.
  • Information: Bryan Hitchcock, bwhitch@gmail.com

July 4, Monday

96th Mount Marathon Race – Seward

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  • Description: The oldest mountain race in the U.S. Starts in downtown Seward, goes UP AND DOWN a steep 3,000-foot mountain and is about 3 miles long. Juniors go halfway. Time cutoff for official result is 2:30 for adults and 1:30 for juniors.
  • Race times: Juniors – 9 a.m.; Men – 11 a.m.; Women – 2 p.m.
  • Entry: $85 adults/$35 juniors
  • Registration and Website: Priority and lottery registration open March 1-31 at www.mountmarathon.com; race capped at 375 men, 375 women and 300 juniors.
  • Information: Matias Saari, director@mountmarathon.com

July 27, Saturday

Cirque Series Alyeska – Girdwood

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  • Description: 6.2-mile LOOP course with 3,900’ vertical gain and equal descent. Course at Alyeska Resort includes singletrack, CAT roads, rocky scrambling up Center Ridge and a steep descent of Max’s Mountain.
  • Race time: 10 a.m., Sitzmark Bar & Grill, Girdwood. Awards party, 1:30 p.m.
  • Bib Pickup: Race day 8-9:30 a.m. Early bib pickup July 28 at Skinny Raven, downtown Anchorage.
  • Entry: $119 (same for Pro, Expert or Sport Division)
  • Registration: Open now HERE (race capped at 700 runners)
  • Information: website http://cirqueseries.com/alyeska; race director Julian Carr, julian@cirqueseries.com

August 3, Saturday

Matanuska Peak Challenge – Palmer

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  • Description: 14-mile OUT-AND-BACK course with 10,000′ vertical gain. Route ascends Lazy Mountain, descends backside of Lazy and climbs Matanuska Peak before returning in reverse. There is a strict cutoff time of 80 minutes at the top of Lazy Mountain. Racers must be 15 years or older to participate. All participants are expected to complete the course no more than 8 hours.
  • Race Time: 9 a.m., Lazy Mountain Trailhead
  • Entry: $30. Registration race-day only.
  • Mandatory gear: Windbreaker top, long underwear top and bottom, hat, gloves, water bottle. There are no aid stations.
  • Information: Braun Kopsack, knikg@gci.net  or Lance Kopsack, kopsack@mtaonline.net

August 25, Sunday

Alaska Mountain Runners Annual Awards Ceremony – Anchorage

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  • Awards: Awards will be given to the Top 10 overall per gender and Top 3 in each age group plus the In-Spurration and Gamut Awards. Food and drink available for purchase. 
  • Location: Peanut Farm

Other 2024 Alaska Races

March 24, Sunday

Arctic Valley Rally Ski Mountaineering Race – Arctic Valley

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  • Description: Up-and-down ski mountaineering event. Long course has 3 climbs and descents and 3,500’ vertical gain. Short course has 2 climbs and descents and 2,000’ vertical gain.
  • Race time: 1 p.m.
  • Cost: Early Bird, $25; Race day, $45
  • Information and registration: https://alaskaavalanche.org/events/avr2024/

April 6, Saturday

The KrrBrrr – Palmer

May 9, Thursday

Turnagain Arm Trail Run – Anchorage

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  • Description: Hilly POINT-TO-POINT trail run. 8-mile goes from Potter to Rainbow Trailhead. 4-mile goes from McHugh to Rainbow Trailhead. The direction reverses every year.
  • Race time: 6:30 p.m.
  • Entry: $45. Proceeds benefit the University of Alaska Anchorage Ski Team.
  • Bib Pickup: Race day only beginning at 5:45 p.m. at your start trailhead — Potter TH for the 8-mile and McHugh TH for the 4-mile.
  • Registration: $45, opens at 9 a.m. April 9 on runsignup.com. Limited to 200 participants per Chugach State Park permit.
  • Website: http://turnagainarmtrailrun.wordpress.com/
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/turnagainarmtrailrun
  • Information: Anna Berecz, seawolfskiing@gmail.com

May-August

Northern Trails Running Series – Fairbanks Area

  1. Toghotthele (formerly Annihilator), Nenana, 6 miles – May 27
  2. Masochism on Moose Mountain, 4 miles – June 4
  3. Wickersham Dome Trail Run, 8 miles – June 9
  4. Ester Dome Ass Kicker, 7 miles – July 6
  5. Chena Hot Springs Run & Soak, 8.5 miles – July 27
  6. Drew’s Angel Creek 50-miler and 50K – August 3
  7. Musk Ox Run, 13 miles – August 17
  8. Granite Tors Trail Run, 15 miles – August 31

May 26, Sunday

Pillar Mountain Run – Kodiak

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  • Description: 9.3-mile LOOP over Pillar Mountain
  • Start time: 12 p.m.
  • Entry fee: $30
  • Registration: Pre-registration in person at the Kodiak Teen Center; race day registration from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at the community pool near the start.
  • Contact: Email parkstaff@city.kodiak.ak.us or visit kodiakcrabfest.com for more information.

May 31-June 1, Friday-Saturday

Alaska Endurance Trail Run – Fairbanks

June 1, Saturday

50th Arctic Valley Run – Anchorage

June 3-7, Mon-Fri

AKtive Camp 231 – Palmer

June 7, Friday

Tsalteshi Backyard Ultra – Soldotna

June 9, Sunday

Spencer Glacier Dash – Portage Train Depot/Spencer Whistle Stop

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  • Description: 5 mile running event that follows the path of Spencer Glacier’s recession. The start of the race is only accessible by riding on the Alaska Railroad. The course begins at the Spencer Whistle Stop of the Alaska Railroad and follows the Spencer Glacier Trail around the lake to the end and back. One wave mass start. 60 min turnaround cutoff time to make it back to the finish at the boat launch of Chugach Adventures base camp by 4pm
  • Registration: Opens April 17.
  • Cost: $103 (early bird registration through end of April), price increase by $10 starting in May; fee includes cost of race and round trip train ticket from the Portage Depot to Spencer Whistle Stop
  • Website Information and emailhttps://kmtacorridor.org/spencer-glacier-dash/ and Rachel Blakeslee, rachelblakeslee@kmtacorridor.org 

June 20-22, Monday-Wednesday

Denali 135 Alaska Endurance Race – Paxson

July 4, Thursday

Anvil Mountain Run – Nome

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  • Description: OUT-AND-BACK 10.5 miles to the top of Anvil Mountain, 1,134ʼ vertical
  • Start time: 8 a.m.; sign up at City Hall at 7:30 a.m.
  • Information: Leo Rasmussen, leaknome@gmail.com

July 6, Saturday

Mount Roberts Tram Run – Juneau

July 13, Saturday

AKtive’s Backyard Ultra – Palmer

July 7, Sunday

Reckless Raven 50 Mile Ultra and Relay – Whitehorse, Canada

July 21, Sunday

Gold Discovery Run – Fairbanks

July 21, Sunday

Hope and Sunrise Wagon Trail Run – Hope

July 20, Saturday

Alpine Adventure Run – Sitka

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  • Description: POINT-TO-POINT 7-mile trail run with 2,500’ vertical including Gavan Hill and the Harbor Mountain Rim Trail.
  • Registration: $50. Opens at 7 a.m. on April 24. Limited to 125 participants. Email race director christinemariehoran@gmail.com requesting entry.
  • Facebook page: HERE

July 20, Saturday

Crow Pass Crossing – Girdwood

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  • Description: 22.5-mile POINT-TO-POINT on extremely technical trail with glacial river crossing from Girdwood to Eagle River Nature Center
  • Race Time: 9 a.m., Crow Pass Trailhead
  • Entry: $80; Limited to 150 entrants; there will be a waitlist if necessary.
  • Registration: Opens at 9 a.m. May 1 until the 150 spots are filled at www.ultrasignup.com. A waitlist will open once filled.
  • Information: Matias Saari, matias@healthyfuturesak.org or website crowpasscrossing.com

July 26-27, Fri-Sat

Resurrection Pass 100-mile and 50-mile – Cooper Landing and Hope

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  • Description: 100- and 50-mile events between Hope and Cooper Landing
  • 100-mile start: 3 p.m. July 26 at the Resurrection Pass Trailhead in Hope
  • 50-mile start: 6 a.m. July 27 at the Resurrection Pass Trailhead in Cooper Landing
  • Information and Registrationwww.rpultras.com
  • Contact: resurrectionruns@gmail.com

July 30, Sunday

Takshanuk Ridge Run – Haines

August 3, Saturday

Hatcher Pass Marathon and Relay – Willow

August 3, Saturday

Drew’s Angel Creek 50 Mile and 50k – Fairbanks

August 4, Sunday

Yukon River Trail Marathon – Whitehorse, Canada

August 10, Saturday

Kesugi Ridge Traverse and Half Traverse – Denali State Park

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  • Description: The Full Traverse is 30-mile hilly POINT-TO-POINT singletrack trail run from Little Coal Creek to Byers Lake Trailhead. The Half Traverse travels 15 miles from Little Coal Creek to just beyond the Ermine Trail Junction.
  • Race time: 9 a.m. mass start for both the Full Traverse and Half Traverse
  • Registration: Registration opens at 9 a.m. June 1 at www.ultrasignup.com. The race is capped at 50 entrants for the Full Traverse and 50 entrants for the Half Traverse. There will be waitlists for each race, if necessary.
  • Website: www.kesugiridgetraverse.com (Consult website for information about mandatory gear, qualifier races, time cut-offs, camping and shuttle).
  • Information: Matias Saari, matiasmountain@gmail.com

August 10, Saturday

Nifty Fifty – Juneau

August 10, Saturday

Mineshaft Grinder – Hope

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  • Description: Gravel bike and running event with three race options:
    -Gold Grinder Gravel Bike Race- An uphill-only gravel bike race for riders to grind up 1900’ over 11+ miles to the end of Palmer Creek Road.
    -Silver Grinder Run Event- An out-and-back 1/2 marathon gravel road race. Runners will race Palmer Creek Road to the Nearhouse Mine and then back to Hope School.
    -Quartz Grinder- An 8.8 mile gravel running race to the top of the switchbacks on Palmer Creek Road and back down to Hope School.
  • Registration: Early bird pricing: Gold Grinder: $50, Silver Grinder: $60, Quartz Grinder: $50
  • Website Information and emailhttps://kmtacorridor.org/mineshaft-grinder/ and Rachel Blakeslee, rachelblakeslee@kmtacorridor.org 

August 10, Saturday

Grace Ridge Race – Kachemak Bay


August 17, Saturday

Veins of Gold Mountain Run – Palmer

August 18, Sunday

Deer Mountain Challenge – Ketchikan

August 24, Saturday

Lost Lake Run – Seward

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  • Description: Challenging 15.5-mile POINT-TO-POINT trail.
  • Registration: Team Registration and individual fundraiser registration begins March 1. Legendary Lost Lakers and Top 3 performances will be contacted to register by March 15. The lottery will open on April 1, 2024 at 8 am and close three days later. Link will be posted on home page. 
  • Informationwww.lostlakerun.com or LostLakeRun@gmail.com

September 1, Sunday

McCarthy Half Marathon and 5-Mile Run – McCarthy

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  • Description: Half Marathon begins on the west side of the Kennecott River, runs up the old wagon road to the Kennicott Mill Building and back down the main road to downtown McCarthy. The 5-miler turns around at the airstrip. Both races start at 12 p.m.
  • Informationwww.wrangells.org/run

September 7, Saturday

16th Alyeska Climbathon – Girdwood

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  • Description: UPHILL ONLY. Climb the North Face Trail (2,000 vertical feet in 2.2 miles) between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Complimentary tram ride down after each lap.
  • Registration: Opens in June; fundraiser to fight against women’s cancers.
  • Information: www.alyeskaclimbathon.com; Email: admin@alyeskaclimbathon.com

September 10, Sunday

The Lakes Trail Fest – Palmer

September 10 – October 22, Tuesdays

Bonnie Sosa Tuesday Night Race Series – Anchorage

September 21, Saturday

61th Equinox Marathon – Fairbanks

October 5, Saturday

Girdwood Trail Marathon & Half Marathon – Girdwood

Photo Credit: Rickey Gates