Many of Fairbanks’ favorite 5Ks and marathons - including Equinox - return in-person this summer

Updated: May. 10, 2021 at 5:29 PM AKDT
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FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - Many of the summer events that bring the community together were absent last year during the early stages of the pandemic, including running events. This summer, many of the fan-favorites re returning in-person led by Running Club North (RCN) and other local running organizations.

”Our events look a little slimmer than in years past and a lot of that has to do with some events are still being conducted virtually just as locations and race directors feel comfortable with hosting the event in-person,” said Tamara Hall, calendar and media liaison for Running Club North. “We are here to promote running in the community and so we are super excited to be able to get out and do what our mission is.”

The Usibelli Race Series, the Drew Harrington Trail Series and the Equinox Marathon are some of the staples returning this summer. In effort for these events to take place, some adjustments needed to be made.

“We are going to discourage spectators for most races and are crying for everyone to sign up online, at least 24 hours in advance,” said Kuba Grzeda, Vice President of Running Club North. “Some of the courses might look a little bit different, though we are hopeful that things can mostly stay kind of steady. We are encouraging people to wear masks, especially when they’re not running. There are a couple of small changes, but we are just really excited that there is a possibility of in-person events this year.”

Notable events include the Independence Day Run, the Mosquito Meander, the Golden Heart Trail Run and the North Pole and Sourdough Triathlons. The Midnight Sun Run will be held virtually again, while the Gold Discovery Run has been canceled. The full list of summer running events can be found at the bottom of this article.

Equinox Marathon

For just the second time in its rich history, the Equinox Marathon had to cancel in 2020. The good news for those brave enough to face one of the toughest marathons in the world is that the grueling 26.2 mile race will be returning September 18, 2021 for the 58th edition.

“It is very important,” said Stacy Fisk, the Equinox Marathon race coordinator of the event’s return. “I think people are hungry for it this year and it kind of winds out the rest of the season. It is the known race up here in the Interior, and in Alaska general, and is one of the hardest in the nation.”

Similar to the other running events this year, there are some changes to this year’s Equinox.

“We are going to have the full Equinox, so if you really want to do the marathon, know that Ester Dome is going to be your friend still as it always has been,” said RCN President Arthur Hussey. “But, because of COVID, we are not going to have the relay this year because involves a lot of bus travel. Instead, it will be a half marathon.”

The last time the Equinox was held in September of 2019, Anchorage’s Aaron Fletcher broke a 35-year old course record with a time of 2 hours, 38 minutes and 14 seconds.

DateEventLocationDetails
5/22 - 11amToghotthele Trail RunNenana, AK~10k, Nenana HS XC fundraiser
5/29 - 10amTwo-Way Torture TestPump House Restaurant
6/4-6/5 - 8amAlaska Endurance Trail RunUAF West Ridge6, 12, 24 hour options
6/5 - 10amLace Up For LeukemiaPioneer Park5k, benefits Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
6/8 - 6:30pmMasochism on Moose Mt.Moose Mt. Base Lodge4.53mi, 1,300ft. ascension
6/13 - 11amWickersham Dome Trail Run28 mile Elliott Hwy7.75 mile trail run
6/18-6/21Midnight Sun Run*virtual**virtual* 10K, benefits Fairbanks Resource Agency
6/20 - 12:47amDusk to Dawn Part 1UAF Ski HutRun as far as you can from 12:47 am to 2:58 am
6/26 - 9amNorth Pole TriathlonChena Lakes1,500M swim, 40K Bike, 10K Run
6/26 - 10amSpruce Tree ClassicUAF Ski HutFree, ~7mile trail run
7/2-7/11Ester Dome Ass KickerGolden Eagle Saloon*virtual* 6.75 miles
7/4 - 10amIndependence Day RunEast Pioneer Park5K along Chena River
7/10 - 5amDrew’s Angel Creek 50Chena River Rec Area50K or 50 mile trail run
7/17 - 9:50amRun For GoldAurora Energy Power Plant1mi, leads Golden Days Parade
7/18 - 9amRun for the RefugeUAF Trails5/10k, benefits Northern AK Environmental Center
7/22 - 6:30pmJim Loftus MileWest Valley HS Track1mi, 800m for kids 9 and under
7/24 - 10amSourdough Triathlon33.5mi Steese Hwy1.2m swim, 56mi bike, 13.1mi run
7/24 - 10amMosquito MeanderTBDResource Center For Parents Fundraiser
7/24 - 11amChena Hot Springs Run ‘n SoakAngel Rocks/49mi CHSR8.5mi
8/7 - 10amGranite Tors Trail Run40mi CHSR15mi Trail Run
8/7 - 10amRun LuLu RunLuLu’s Bread and Bagels5/10k, benefits Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
8/8 - 9am-3pmAK Senior Games T+FLathrop TrackSponsored by Alaska International Senior Games
8/9 - 6:30pmAK Senior Games 5KChena Lakes Rec AreaSponsored by Alaska International Senior Games
8/11 - 6:30pmAK Senior Games 10KChena Lakes Rec AreaSponsored by Alaska International Senior Games
8/14 - 9amSanta Claus Half MarathonChena Lakes Rec Area13.1mi, 26th annual
8/15 - 10amAK Senior Games TriathlonUAF Patty Center400yd swim, 13.1mi bike, 5K run
8/21 - 10amGolden Heart Trail RunBirch Hill Rec Area1K 7u, 2.5K 8-14, 5K 15+, 12th annual
8/22 - 10amMusk Ox Trail RunUAF LARS~13.1mi trail run
8/25 - 6pmOld Murphy Dome Ridge RunOrange Leaf Drive~9.6 trail race, Eldorado East Creek Ridge Trail
8/28 - 10amBlue and Gold 5K Run FestUAF Ski Hut5K race, 1K race for 9u
9/6 - 11amLabor Day Run4.3mi Chena Ridge Rd5-6mi Trail Run
9/11 - 12pmRun for Troth Yeddha’Troth Yeddha’ ParkRun for Troth Yeddha’ Park & Indigenous Studies Center
9/18 - 8amEquinox MarathonUAF Patty Center26.2mi, 13.1mi half, 59th annual
9/25 - 10amWatershed 5K4975 Decathlon5K, fundraiser for Watershed PTSA
10/1 - 6pmAlaskan Guys Beer and Brats 5KBirch Hill Rec Area5K Run
10/2 - 10amIt Ain’t Easy Hill RunDog Mushers Hall11mi Trail or flat 5mi run
10/5 - 5:45pmFull Moon RunUAF Patty Center4mi, run by the light of the moon
10/9 - 10amHooDoo Half MarathonHooDoo Brewing Company13.1mi from Trax to HooDoo
10/30 - 10amHalloween Family RunUAF Patty/Miller Hill Bike Tr.2mi or 10K, costumed runners get head start
10/31 - 5:45pmFull Moon RunUAF Patty Center4mi, run by the light of the moon
11/6 - 10amCache Creek Warm-UpCache Creek Road6.8mi unpaved
11/20 - 10amTurkey TrotUAF Patty Center Bus Shelter6K
11/30 - 5:45pmFull Moon RunUAF Patty Center4mi, run by the light of the moon
12/4 - 12pmHeart of Darkness Snow Shoe Race1058 Pika Road3K and 6K snow shoe race
12/11 - 11amGeorge Bloom Memorial RunUAF Patty Center6.3mi
12/18 - 10:58amDawn to Dusk Part 2UAF Fine Arts Complexrun as far as you can from dawn to dusk
12/29 - 5:45pmFull Moon RunUAF Patty Center4mi, run by the light of the moon
12/31 - 11:30pmNew Year’s Eve Run‘The Diner’ on Illinois St.3mi, run into the New Year

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