Humpy's Marathon Relay
Sunday, August 18, 2024 - 8:30 AM
Course Overview
The 26.2 mile course begins in the heart of downtown Anchorage. Runners head west on 6th Avenue, north on H Street, then straight ahead on Christensen Drive to 2nd Avenue where the course turns left to join the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. They run past Westchester Lagoon, Earthquake Park, Postmark Drive and Point Woronzof. Runners turn around at a point formerly known by locals as “the Blue Bridge.” They run back north to Westchester Lagoon where they bear right (east) on the Chester Creek Trail. From the Chester Creek turnaround (the roundabout at the base of the hill beyond, or east of, the bridge to East High School) runners return to the lagoon and head back to the finish line in downtown Anchorage.
Number of Team Members
A Marathon Relay team may be composed of two, three, or four individuals. These legs may be divided and run however you desire. For example, a team of two runners could alternate legs or both run two consecutive legs. Or one runner could run three legs and the other run one. In a team with three runners, two could each run one leg and a third runner complete two legs. You get the idea! The legs must be run in order, switches made at the official exchange zones, but who runs them is up to you.
The team captain will need to register the team. Then each team members will go online to add themselves and sign a waiver.
Team Categories:
- Mixed
- Female
- Male
- Masters
- Company/Nonprofits
Exchange Zones
Marathon relay teams will tag their teammates at two different exchange zones. Relay exchange one and two are both located at Postmark Drive along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Exchange zone three is east of the Goose Lake bridge along the Chester Creek Trail — adjacent to the People Mover bus stop on Northern Lights Boulevard.
- Leg #1: Start to Exchange Zone #1: 4.4 miles
- Leg #2: Exchange Zone #1 to Exchange Zone #2: 7.8 miles
- Leg #3: Exchange Zone #2 to Exchange Zone #3: 6.6 miles
- Leg #4: Exchange Zone #3 to Finish: 7.4 miles
Team members must tag each other within the marked exchange zone. Incoming runners should not leave the exchange zone until their outgoing runner has tagged them. Numbers must be worn on the front of the body and be visible when entering the exchange zone.
Transportation is NOT provided to and from exchange zones. Runners are responsible for their own transportation.
Download the Marathon Relay Exchange Instructions Here
Field Limit
The marathon relay field is limited to the first 150 teams.
Start/Finish
The marathon starts and finishes on 6th Avenue between F and G Street adjacent to Humpy’s Great Alaskan Alehouse in downtown Anchorage.
Time Cut-off
Fourth leg runners must finish by 3:30 PM in order to receive an official time. The fourth leg runner must reach mile 23 (Valley of the Moon aid station) by 2:30 PM, as well as cross the finish line by 3:30 PM for the team to be considered an official finisher.
USATF Certified
Course Map
Registration Goodies
- Long-sleeve technical shirt
- Finisher’s medal (see 2023 medal below)
- Professional timing
- Food and beverage at the finish line
Awards
Awards are given to the first-place team in each division: male, female, coed, masters (Age 50 and over-may be a male, female or coed team). Awards will be distributed in Town Square Park. All awards are based on gun times — the time elapsed from the sound of the start gun to when a runner crosses the timing mat at the finish line.
All awards are based on chip times — the time elapsed from when the first runner crosses the timing mat at start line till when the final runner crosses the timing mat at the finish line.
Our marathon relay is sponsored by Humpy’s Ale House. A Humpy is a type of salmon so years ago our sponsor requested that the event medals for events featuring the Humpy’s name use, “Fishiner” rather than Finisher. Confusing to non-Alaskans but a great story for you
The Anchorage Runfest is one of four Anchorage Running Club yearly events. Successful completion of eligible races in three of these four events can qualify a runner for the unique Sleeping Lady Challenge medal. See more information regarding the Sleeping Lady Challenge.
