2026 Anchorage Mayor's Marathon & Half Marathon
Anchorage's Mayor's Marathon offers a unique summer solstice run with stunning Alaskan scenery.
Race Date
Jun 18, 2026
Location
Anchorage, AK
Quick facts
- Date
- Thursday, June 18, 2026
- Location
- Anchorage, Alaska
- Distance
- Half marathon (13.1 mi) + 26.2 Miles, 4.7 Miles
- Course
- Loop Course
- Terrain
- Mixed
- USATF certified
- Yes
- Finishers on record
- 29,427
Highlights
Good For
Atmosphere
Course
The Experience
Each summer solstice, Anchorage hosts a unique marathon and half-marathon, drawing participants from across the globe and nearly every U.S. state. The event, co-hosted by the University of Alaska Anchorage and the Municipality of Anchorage Parks and Recreation, takes advantage of Alaska's extended daylight, with nearly 19 hours of sun. Runners can expect a course that winds through wooded areas and along coastal trails, offering glimpses of wildlife like moose and whales, alongside views of the water and surrounding mountains.
With 23 editions on record, the race has seen median fields of around 2,000 finishers, indicating a well-established event. While the course is certified by USA Track and Field and noted as a Boston Marathon qualifier, runner reviews suggest it's not entirely flat, with some hills and a potentially narrow trail in the early miles. The atmosphere is described as local-community focused, with a growing field trend and a modest repeat-runner loyalty of about 11%.
Race-provided description
2026 ANCHORAGE MAYOR'S MARATHON & MORE Each Summer Solstice the Anchorage Mayor's Marathon, Half-Marathon, Solstice Classic, Kids Mile and Relay bring hundreds of people together from nearly every state in the union, countries around the globe and from our very own community. There is something about nineteen hours (actually a bit more) of daylight that draws many to this unique and beautiful event. Anchorage and Alaska has a lot to offer, so make sure you plan ahead and allow yourself enough time to see the sights. The Visit Anchorage web site can help you plan your adventures from lodging to sightseeing to exploring. Find out where to climb a glacier, see a moose, and catch a salmon. You can also find the best places to eat, sleep and dance the night away. The Anchorage Mayor's Marathon is co-hosted by the University of Alaska Anchorage Athletic Department and the Municipality of Anchorage Parks and Recreation Department.
The Marathon course is certified by USA Track and Field as a Boston Marathon qualifier.
Logistics
Race Day
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Start Time
8:30 AM
Giveaway
T-Shirt
Start Location
Delaney Park Strip, Anchorage, AK, 99501
Course Info
USATF CertifiedCourse Type
Loop Course
Terrain
mixed
Scenery
Forest, Lake River
Surface
Dirt Trail, Paved
Difficulty
Rolling Hills
Net Drop/km
-0.03 m
Separation
0.9%
Also Offers
USATF Certified Course
AK21003FW · Mayor's Midnight Sun Half Marathon 2021
Relatively flat with minimal net elevation change. Loop course — start and finish are close together.
Course Map
View Course Map
Open on RaceJoy
2 other maps for this race
Quality Score
Runner Favorite8323 years running
~2,018 finishers a year
growing or steady
11% returning runners
USATF certified · 5 timing sources
runners from 51 states
winner 1:11:53
typical high 67°F
Race Day Weather
5-year historical avgStart (Low)
50°
Afternoon (High)
67°
Pleasant conditions — light layers at start, comfortable by finish
0.0"
Precipitation
7 mph
Wind
66%
Humidity
Historical Finish Times
How 29,427 finishers actually crossed the line across 23 years.
Most recent
2025
Total finishers
29,427
Median time
2:24:01
Latest turnout
1,160
States
51
Turnout by year
2017–2025
Hover the histogram to inspect specific finish times.
Race Photos
Frequently asked
When is the 2026 Anchorage Mayor's Marathon & Half Marathon?
The 2026 Anchorage Mayor's Marathon & Half Marathon is held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, starting at 8:30 AM.
Where does the 2026 Anchorage Mayor's Marathon & Half Marathon take place?
It takes place in Anchorage, Alaska.
What distances does the 2026 Anchorage Mayor's Marathon & Half Marathon offer?
The half marathon (13.1 miles), plus 26.2 Miles, 4.7 Miles.
Is the 2026 Anchorage Mayor's Marathon & Half Marathon course flat and good for a PR?
The 2026 Anchorage Mayor's Marathon & Half Marathon is a rolling hills, loop course course. The course is USATF-certified, so finish times can be used for qualifying.
How many people run the 2026 Anchorage Mayor's Marathon & Half Marathon?
HalfRuns has finish records for 29,427 runners who have completed the 2026 Anchorage Mayor's Marathon & Half Marathon.
HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.
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