Equinox Marathon and Relay

The Equinox Marathon and Relay begins and ends at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, typically held in the third week of September around the autumnal equinox. This trail-intensive marathon in Interior Alaska features a marathon run, a marathon hike, and a three-person relay, all utilizing the same 26.2-mile course. Expect significant elevation changes, with participants gaining approximately 3,300 feet. Race-day conditions in this region can vary widely, from dry, mild trails to encounters with wind, snow, and mud. The course ascends and descends Ester Dome twice before heading toward Henderson Road. It then utilizes Henderson and Gold Hill Roads to return to campus. The majority of the route consists of trails and dirt roads, interspersed with some paved sections. Recently, new single-track trails were incorporated to minimize road running. The event originated within the University of Alaska Fairbanks community in the 1960s. Its inaugural race saw 143 entrants and 69 finishers, and by the late 1960s, it had briefly become the world's largest marathon. The relay divides the 26.2 miles among three teammates, with each leg covering approximately 8 to 9 miles and exchanges occurring around mile 8.4 and mile 17. The event attracts local runners, hikers, volunteers, spectators, and teams who view the relay as a social component of a demanding course.