Girdwood Marathon 2026

The Girdwood Trails Marathon begins at the Alyeska Resort Daylodge in Girdwood, a mountain community within Anchorage, Alaska, directing runners onto forested trails rather than city streets. The race takes place in October, offering marathon, half marathon, and 5K distances. The longer races are designed for participants comfortable with a challenging trail day. Organizers advise that the half marathon is not recommended for a first-time half marathon, and previous accounts characterize the event as mentally and physically taxing, despite some sections of the terrain being described as fast and flat. The course connects trails throughout the Girdwood Valley, incorporating Winner Creek Trail, California Creek Trail, Bird-to-Gird Trail, the Iditarod Trail, and mountain trails at Alyeska Resort. Participants will run through temperate rainforest, following pink flags placed by volunteers. During periods of low water, marathoners may cross Glacier Creek as part of the course. The marathon and half marathon alternate direction annually, providing a different loop for returning participants each year. The event primarily serves as a fundraiser for the Girdwood Nordic Ski Club, attracting a diverse group of runners from Alaska, other U.S. states, and Canada.