Seward’s Mount Marathon Race

“Mount Marathon Is the Toughest 5K on the Planet” – Outside Magazine

How The Race Started

According to folklore, the tradition of the Mount Marathon Race began when two sourdoughs argued about the possibility of climbing and descending the mountain in less than an hour. “Impossible” one said. To settle the argument, and the resulting wager, a race was held, with the loser to furnish drinks for the crowd. At the same time, enterprising merchants put up a suit of clothes and other attractions for the winner and proposed the race take place on a holiday – why not the 4th of July? The optimistic sourdough lost his bet. The winning racer took one hour and two minutes.

Official records disclose that the Mount Marathon Race® actually began as an organized run in 1915 and has since become a regular part of the Independence Day celebration in Seward. Over the years, this home town historic event has drawn increased participation and resulted in new milestones. 54 women finished the first-ever women’s race in 1985, juniors began logging their age-group records in 1994, and 2005 heralded the beginning of the “staggered start” for the adult races. The popular Mini Marathon race starts them out young – toddling just a few feet to victory!

Race day is always July 4. The Mount Marathon Race® application process takes place beginning March 1st each year and closes at midnight, Alaska time, on March 31st. The foot race is a climb and descent on Mount Marathon – a mile and a half up and a mile and a half down, complete with cliffs, scree fields, waterfalls, and a spectacular view.

All first-time racers must complete the entire race course prior to race day and attend the safety meeting.

The race course includes areas of extreme difficulty, with steep inclines and slippery loose rock and shale.

There is no guarantee any aid stations will be available on the mountain. Water and aid materials may be delivered by helicopter if weather permits.

Racers Must:

–have previous mountain running experience
–be physically fit enough to easily pass by the Cut-off Checkpoint before the time expires.
–be prepared to get themselves down the mountain, even if injured. Assistance is not guaranteed once you leave the race start.
–Runners may limit their risk of bodily injury to some degree by running the entire race course several times before race day and wearing protective gear such as helmets, gloves, goggles, knee and elbow pads are recommended.

Carry your own water if you will need it during the race.

Water and medical services will be provided at the Finish Line.

Slope Steepness Averages 34 Degrees

Mount Marathon is not quite as steep as has been previously reported. The true steepness — from the base of the mountain to the lip of the mountain just before the turnaround rock — averages 34 degrees. That figure was calculated using GPS data from several racers. Excluding the road approach, the vertical gain is about 2,675 feet in 0.9 miles.

Elevation Gain
3,022 feet

Race Distance
3.1 – 3.5 miles, depending on route

First Winner
James Walters, 1915 | 1:02:02

Youngest Winner
Ephriam Kalmakoff, 1928 | Age 16 | 52:35

Oldest Winner
Todd Boonstra, 2003 | Age 41 | 47:32

Longest Record Holders
Bill Spencer, 43 years | Set junior record 1973 – Current
Bill Spencer, 39 years | Set men’s record 1974, Broke his own record in 1981 – 2013
Nancy Pease, 25 years | set women’s record 1990 – 2014

Most Race Wins
Nina Kemppel, 9 wins | 1994, 1996 – 2003

Most Junior Race Wins
Allison Ostrander, 6 wins | 2009 – 2014

Most Wins by Local Residents
Cedar Bourgeois, 7 wins | 2004 – 2010
Ralph Hatch, 6 wins | 1946 – 50, 1953

Most Consecutive Race Finishes
Fred Moore, 47 finishes | 1970 – Current
Ellyn Brown, 28 finishes | 1989 – Current

Oldest Finishers
Corky Corthell, age 82 | 2011 | 1:56:45
Millie Spezialy, age 77 | 2015 | 2:18:37