2017 31st Annual Alaska Salmon Runs

Entry fee includes one adult or youth t-shirt and race bib with a timing chip. Race headquarters is at Cordova Community Medical Center parking lot. Runners will be driven by bus to race start locations for marathon, half-marathon, 10K and 5K Smolt One Mile Fun Run/walk race starts in front of hospital.

AK Salmon Runs salmon barbecue potluck and awards at Mt. Eyak Ski Hill on Saturday evening, July 15, 2017, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

The Alaska Salmon Runs are part of the Copper River WILD! Salmon Festival -- a wild weekend of running, music and singing out salmon! See www.copperriverwild.org for a weekend schedule of events, including the Taste of Cordova, Alaska Salmon Run road races, Salmon Jam Music Festival, Small Fry arts and education activities.

Cordova is surrounded by extraordinary ecosystems that combine to form one of the world’s most spectacular natural environments and host to a thriving wild salmon migration. The race course traverses the Copper River delta where runners are treated to soaring views of mountains being carved by glaciers, wildflowers, and blue water rivers and lakes. The race course is mostly flat (we’re at sea level), and follows the old Copper River railroad route which led to the Kennicott Copper mines. The marathon starts at 27 mile bridge – one of the many bridges that span the Copper River. The first half of the course is gravel road – with little to no traffic. Because the area is still wild, moose and bear are occasionally encountered. For safety and water support, marathoners will be followed by a vehicle. Runners pass the “Mudhole Smith” airport at mile 13. Paved road then spans the Copper River delta, lined with beautiful wildflowers, including lupine, nagoonberry, fireweed, and Alaska’s State flower, the forget-me-not. The last 10km are run along the blue waters of Eyak Lake. July temperatures range from low 50s – 75 F.

We now host participants from all over the world, and in one of Alaska’s most beautiful and friendliest communities. We have welcomed runners from Japan, Australia, Brazil, Norway, and several states in the continental U.S.A such as New York and Florida – plus many more. Some people come back year after year, and we hope that you will do the same. Our salmon runs are dedicated to the five species of salmon native to our area.

Click HERE for Alaska Salmon Run FAQ's