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Mayors Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: Anchorage, AK, USA
- Race Date: 06/19/2027
- Race Distances: Full Marathon, Half Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Boston: Yes
World Marathon Majors: Yes
Mayors Marathon Description
The Mayor’s Marathon is a Boston qualifying race showcasing Anchorage, Alaska’s natural beauty each June around the summer solstice. Starting at Kincaid Soccer Stadium, the point-to-point course blends paved trails, gravel roads, and single-track paths along Cook Inlet, through the Chester Creek Trail, past Goose Lake, and by the University of Alaska Anchorage campus. Moderate rolling terrain and long daylight hours make this a bucket-list race for runners seeking a true Alaskan adventure. A half marathon and relay run the same course, drawing thousands of runners each summer.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Mayors Marathon Additional Details:
Five different races start together on the Mayor’s Marathon course, from the marathon itself down to the quirky 4.7-mile Solstice Classic, giving Anchorage a genuine citywide running festival rather than a single event. Aid stations arrive every two miles with water and Gatorade, straightforward support for a race where the real challenge is pacing yourself through nearly round-the-clock daylight rather than the terrain. Finishers take home a notably large, well-designed medal handed out right at the line, one reviewers consistently call one of the best-looking in the sport. Now in its sixth decade, this solstice tradition draws runners from around the world who want to say they’ve raced under a sun that never really sets.
Course Information
Profile: Hilly
Type: Point to Point
Surface: Road/Pavement
Pace Groups: No
Time Limit: 7 hr 30 min
# of Finishers
Half Marathon: 1,000+
Marathon: 700+
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 842 ft (257 m)
Elevation Loss: Unknown
Average Temperature
- Low: 51°F
- High: 59°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Beginner, intermediate, and advanced plans to get you to the start line ready.
Your bridge into marathons, with a plan built for stepping up the distance.
Structured plans for every experience level, first finish to chasing a new PR.
Things to Do in Anchorage, AK, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Museums & History
Anchorage Museum
Alaska’s largest museum pairs art and history galleries that make an ideal, air-conditioned primer on the state — a low-impact way to spend a rest day indoors.
Arts & Culture
Alaska Native Heritage Center
Explore Alaska Native culture through traditional dwellings, dance performances, and artisan demonstrations at this Anchorage cultural center — an easy, mostly-seated way to spend a taper afternoon.
Shopping
Anchorage Market
Browse 260-plus local vendors selling Alaska-made art, crafts, and fresh produce at this weekend outdoor market — an easy, flat stroll for a post-race souvenir hunt.
Sports & Entertainment
Alaska Center for the Performing Arts
Catch a show at Anchorage’s downtown performing arts hub, home to three theaters hosting concerts, dance, and theater year-round — a relaxed, seated evening option after race day.
Zoos, Aquariums & Gardens
Alaska Zoo
See bears, wolves, musk ox, and reindeer up close at this easygoing Anchorage wildlife park — a flat, self-paced walk that’s easy on recovering legs after race weekend.
Food & Drink
Ship Creek Brewing Company
Toast the finish line with a handcrafted local beer and Neapolitan-style pizza at this midtown brewery — a relaxed, low-key spot to refuel after race weekend.
Landmark
Fourth Avenue Mushing Arch
Anchorage’s newest downtown landmark, a steel arch over Fourth Avenue, honors the city’s dog-mushing heritage — a quick, flat photo stop right in the heart of downtown.
Outdoors & Trails
Flattop Mountain
Alaska’s most-hiked trail suits all ability levels and rewards with sweeping views of the city and Chugach Range — a manageable option for legs that need an easy day after race weekend.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
This flat, 11-mile shoreline trail overlooks Cook Inlet, where beluga whales occasionally surface — an easy, paved stretch that’s gentle on tired legs after race day.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Mayors Marathon
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Boston Qualifier: Yes