Girdwood Marathon
A soggy October trail marathon through Girdwood's rain forest, linking Winner Creek, the Iditarod trails, and Alyeska singletrack south of Anchorage.
Quick facts
- Rugged trail marathon that finishers compare to an ultra.
- Course links Winner Creek, the Iditarod trails, and Alyeska mountain singletrack.
- Expect mud, roots, and rain; road marathon fitness alone is not enough.
- Volunteering one year guarantees a race entry the next.
About the Girdwood Marathon
Girdwood's community trail marathon strings together more than a dozen named trails in a temperate rain forest valley south of Anchorage. The organizers are blunt that it should not be anyone's first marathon, and volunteers who sweep the course or staff an aid station are guaranteed an entry the following year.
Course
The route links Winner Creek, the Upper, Middle, and Lower Iditarod Trails, the Bird-to-Gird path, and Alyeska resort singletrack, with roots, mud, and short steep grades throughout. Finishers compare the effort to an ultra, so pacing by effort beats chasing road splits.
Race-day weather
Early October in Girdwood is cool and wet, with temperatures around 40 and rain more likely than not in one of Alaska's wettest valleys. Mud and standing water are part of the race most years, and daylight is already short.
Past Girdwood Marathon dates and results
| Year | Date | Status | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, October 3, 2026 | Results available | Open results |
Your race experience
Ran the 2026 Girdwood Marathon?
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Girdwood Marathon FAQ
When is the Girdwood Marathon?
We're waiting for the finalized date for the 2027 Girdwood Marathon. The most recent running was on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
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