2020 >> VIRTUAL << JUNEAU MARATHON AND HALF-MARATHON

FINAL FINAL PRE-RACE UPDATE
Friday, July 24, 2020

Here is some last-minute race info for those of you who have not yet run the event.

Please get your times to Myron (myrond@gmail.com) by Sunday night (11:59 p.m. EDT). As I've mentioned to a few of you, we have another virtual event starting this weekend and would like to get the marathon and half results tabulated as expeditiously as possible so as to reduce wear and tear on him.

You must complete your event by Saturday in order to get a finisher's medal. That said, all registrants will get their t-shirt (though the size you specified may not be available, in which case I'll do the best I can). Any questions - please let me know.

For those of you running the Juneau course, here is some updated information on the paving of Savikko Road. It was planned for today, but has been pushed back until tomorrow - the last day of the event! There is rain in the forecast and if it is too heavy, they won't be able to pave. But you should plan on the paving moving ahead.

It's not a pretty sight down there! Savikko Road will be completely closed on Saturday (and might be today, also). You won't be able to park near the start/finish, so plan on parking on the street near the 3rd Street/Savikko Road intersection and walk to and from the start/finish.

Two stalwart club members ran the half yesterday and posted some photos on their FB page (thanks Linda Kruger and Jeff Gnass):

The top picture shows a start-finish sign, which will hopefully survive through Saturday. You can also see in that picture your alternate Savikko Road path - on the grassy area alongside the construction.

Given the chaos on Savikko, you can choose to run an alternate route on St. Anns Avenue - the extension of 3rd Street past the Savikko Road intersection, as depicted in this crudely-edited excerpt from Google Earth:

Savikko goes down the hill to the left; St. Anns veers off slightly to the right.

In order to make up an equivalent distance to the Savikko Road segment, you can start and finish in front of 513 St. Anns Avenue, a green house approx. 215 ft past Summers Street:

If you choose to do the St. Anns alternate, please don't park on the street - it is very narrow. Suggest parking where you would were you going down to the end of Savikko Road.

That's it - best wishes to those who will be running today and tomorrow, wherever that may be! As always, let me know if you have any questions.

Best regards,

David Epstein
Registration Chair

FINAL PRE-RACE UPDATE
Friday, July 17. 2020

The course has been marked and is ready to be run on!

I just got an update on the Savikko Road construction, as follows:

"All underground utility work is complete, so there shouldn’t be any open excavation or trenches. The road is currently being graded for paving, so it’s somewhat rough and there may be heavy machinery working during the day. The contractor’s tentative plan is to pave the road on Saturday the 25th (weather dependent). On paving day the current plan is to shut down Savikko Road to vehicle traffic, though runners could park in the Harbor parking lot and access the starting area by foot. Since there is no scheduled race time this year, obviously there will likely be runners out here during construction. I will make sure that the contractor knows to watch out for this. Depending on the specific day and location that the contractor is working, runners may be able to run down the sidewalk or road, but at a minimum they should be able to skirt around the construction through the Harbor parking lot or the Savikko Park (as most of the runners in the area have been doing this summer). Since paving day will be the most disruptive, I’ll give you an update if that date changes.

"Also, please note that this is specifically for the construction on Savikko RD. I know that there is another project in progress on Douglas Hwy, but I am not familiar with their schedule or race accommodations."

The above mentioned waterline project is still in progress. The part being worked on is closer to Douglas than it is the roundabout.

There continues to be utility right-of-way brush management on North Douglas Highway.

Please be on the lookout for all these activities and exercise caution. Have a great run!

*** COVID-19 UPDATE AS OF JULY 6, 2020 ***

Here is updated information as we approach race week.

The course is on Douglas and North Douglas Highways - on Douglas Island across the channel from Juneau - and will be marked before July 19. As this is a virtual event, you may run your registered distance anywhere you so choose - even in your hometown.

For those traveling in from out of town, the course might be your best choice because it’s been measured and certified – so you can be assured that you are running the advertised distance. Here is a copy of the course map from the certification document (as of a few years ago, the event name changed to Juneau Marathon and Half-Marathon. The course did not change):

Both the marathon and half are out-and-back courses run on pavement, starting/finishing at Savikko Park in Douglas. Here is an edited cutout from Google Maps regarding the start/finish line and early portions of the course:

The red circle in the above map represents the approx. start/finish location at the end of Savikko Road.

The two blue lines represent road construction that will be taking place during the week of the event.

Savikko Road is undergoing reconstruction and the segment between the start/finish and intersection with 3^rd Street may not be accessible for running. In fact, it may be in the paving phase during race week. If that happens, runners will need to run on the grass or sidewalk adjacent to Savikko Road.

Further into the course, the blue line on Douglas Highway represents the approx. location of a waterline repair project. Construction is taking up a full lane and sidewalk, so it may be necessary for you to cross the highway at that point. If you need to do so, please use caution.

These are the only known construction work zones on the course that will be active during event week. You may encounter utility company tree branch removal on North Douglas Highway; be alert for that.

The start/finish line will be marked. In the following photo, its location is depicted by the blue line.

As the event is taking place over multiple days, there will not be traffic control. Please exercise caution, esp. at the intersection of 3^rd Street and Savikko Road. Also, there will not be aid stations so please be sure to carry or stash your liquids and snacks, and carry out or properly dispose of any refuse.

The certified course is on the upland side of Douglas and North Douglas Highways for its entire length. At the roundabout (approx. Mile 2.5), stay on the left (upland) side and follow a short segment on Sitka Street, then enter the shoulder of North Douglas Highway. The shoulder serves as a dedicated bike lane - please be on watch for cyclists.

Turnaround points are as shown on the course map, and (again) will be clearly marked.

When you have finished your event, please report your time to Myron Davis at myrond@gmail.com. That will be my clue to get the wheels a-rollin’ on mailing you your t-shirt/finisher medal (or taking them to Nugget Alaskan Outfitter (NAO) for you to pick up). NAO is located in the Mendenhall Mall, which is approx. 9 miles from downtown Juneau:

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me at dave1013@gmail.com or (907) 209-7995. Best wishes for a good run!

David Epstein
Registration Chair

The Marathon and Half Marathon are USATF-certified (USATF cert. no. AK14008FW), out and back courses. The events are run at sea level on the lightly traveled, two-lane Douglas Highway/North Douglas Highway in Juneau, Alaska. By virtue of its certification, the marathon can be used as a time qualifier for the Boston Marathon. The moderately hilly course has been compared in difficulty to the Boston Marathon. The scenic course offers views of mountains, glaciers, forests, and the ocean. The start/finish is near the picnic shelter at Sandy Beach, in Douglas.

Delta Air Lines is offering discounts for air travel to and from the event. Use Meeting Event Code NMU56 when making your reservations!