2022 Juneau Marathon and Half-Marathon

UPDATE July 22, 2022: It's been raining for two weeks but there is hope (and sun) on the horizon. The latest forecast predicts the skies will part next Thursday. Let us send up a collective prayer that this condition will persist through at least Saturday!!

A reminder that online registration will shut down next Thursday at midnight. So if you plan to run, please register here before then and avoid late fees on race day!

If you register Friday at NAO or on race day - be advised WE DO NOT ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS. Please bring cash or your checkbook to pay the registration fee.

UPDATE July 17, 2022: T-minus 13 days and counting! I hope everyone is ready to get with the program!! The listing of names and bib numbers has been updated as of today.

UPDATE June 22, 2022: I went out to the rockslide site early yesterday to take some photos depicting the current state of affairs.

The site is approx. 0.1 miles past Mile Marker 10 on North Douglas Highway.

Jersey barrier has been installed to contain fallen rock and keep it out of the shoulder and travel lanes.

Looking up the hill to the top of the slide.

And the bottom

Guardrail slide damage.

This idyllic vista of Mendenhall Glacier awaits marathoners as they return to the start/finish area.

I expect things will remain status quo through race day. If so, please either run single-file past the Jersey barrier or, if uncomfortable doing that, run outside the white line on the water side of the highway - but exercise caution in crossing the highway. The measured course is on the upland side but you can run on the water side if you like.

Again, I will be posting an update if things change.

ADDITION TO MAY 30 UPDATE: Yesterday, I failed to mention that 6 am walker start marathoners are not eligible for age group awards. They will, of course, get a time and a finisher medal.

UPDATE May 30, 2022: Greetings and Happy Memorial Day to our 107 registrants (49 in the full, 58 in the half)!! As today is also the T-minus 2-month milestone, I thought it appropriate to offer up some current, pertinent information.

The geologic event that happened last month on North Douglas Highway has been stabilized to the extent possible without a major construction project. The road is open to all modes of traffic and there have been no further rockfall occurrences. While this issue will stay on the stovetop, it's moving to the back burner. There are more pressing matters to deal with in the next two months. That said, if the rocks should start falling again, some changes may have to be made. Rockfall or not, both events are going to happen - in a safe manner.

There will be construction on Douglas Highway near the bridge, please be aware of your safety while transiting the work zone.

This year, there will be two registration and packet pickup sessions. The first will be on Friday, July 29, from 4 pm to 6 pm at Nugget Alaskan Outfitter (NAO). NAO is located in the Mendenhall Mall, which is approx. 10 miles northwest of downtown.

The second will be on race day at Savikko Park.

Plan on providing your own transportation to Savikko Park, i.e., rental car, Uber/Lyft/taxicab, etc. I will be there no later than 5 am, and you can come register or pickup at that time. So if you are one of the participants flying in Friday night - fear not, we got your six!!

Online registration will close at 11:59 p.m. AKDT on Thursday, July 28. After that point, you will only be able to register in person, and higher registration fees will go into effect. Cash or checks only, please.

Ours is a small event that is timed by hand. Please help our finish line volunteers by wearing your bib on the front, or have your tag ready to give to people in the chute. There have been instances where runners didn't know they needed to wear their bib, or wore it on their backs. Though it's a small event, some busy times are expected so please help us with finish time accuracy by supporting the efficiency of our operation.

Start times have been adjusted this year so that more participants finish together.

A review of previous important points:

Three start times this year:

6 am early marathon walker start
7 am marathon start
9 am half-marathon start

The finish line will stay open until the last participant crosses. The course is conducted on the shoulders of state highways, therefore, it never closes.

There will be four aid stations on the course, spaced such that participants in both events will hit each one twice. We will have water and Gatorade, and NEW THIS YEAR: Gu!! If you take Gu, please do not litter. There will be trash cans on the course for disposal of empty Gu packets, or spent items that you bring with you.

That's about it for now. As always, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me at dave1013@gmail.com or (907) 209-7995 mobile/text. See you soon!!

UPDATE April 17, 2022: As I have notified those who already registered for the marathon, there have been some rockslides on North Douglas Highway approx. 2 miles before the marathon turnaround. These were significant geologic events that I hope will be stabilized before race day. Either they will, or we will alternatively have to conduct dual loops of the half for the full marathon. The half-marathon is not affected by the rockslide. Safety will be our first consideration and I will keep you apprised of the latest developments!

UPDATE Feb 22, 2020: I have been getting several questions about marathon time limits, so let me address that now. Technically, the course does not shut down. Both events are conducted on the shoulder of state highways and the roads are of course open round the clock. Normally, the aid stations will close once the last runner has passed by. The finish line will remain open until the last runner/walker is in.

If you plan on taking 6+ hours to complete the marathon, you have the option of starting at 6 am. Some of the early aid stations may not yet be open when you get to them, and you will not qualify for an award, but you will still get a finisher's medal.

Finally, this year's marathon has been designated RRCA's state championship event for that distance! Gatorade is the official beverage of the 2022 Juneau Marathon!

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The Juneau Marathon and Half-Marathon will take place on Saturday, July 30, 2022, starting and finishing at Savikko Park. The park is on Douglas Island, across the Gastineau Channel from Juneau. Both courses are USATF-certified and conducted on Douglas Highway and North Douglas Highway. If you have not yet run a marathon (or half-marathon) in Alaska, make Juneau your choice and enjoy our relatively small and intimate event. Typical registrations are less than 100 in the marathon and under 200 in the half.

If you have any questions, please contact the race director, David Epstein, at dave1013@gmail.com or (907) 209-7995.