Bearfest Marathon

My g/f and I came up for a trip to SE Alaska. This marathon was fairly well done. It takes place with Bearfest so don't expect a lot. Wrangell is a small town on an island and pretty limited lodging and eating selections. The course is o&b and challenging however has some nice views if clear we had ran 50% of the time. Would run if you love Bears and do the sight seeing in the area. Very small field due to COVID and rain.

This is a fantastic small local race. Don't come expecting a crowd, but there is a great group of strong runners who keep the field competitive. The course is certified for those who are hoping to BQ, but don't forget to factor in the rolling hills (not steep but long) and the high humidity. The course is a simple out and back with some in town street turns. Everything is well marked and staffed. Don't expect a lot of crowd support on the course but there are air stations every 2 miles with everything you need (food and beverages) and cheering race staff. Make the trip to Wrangell for this race. You won't regret it!!

This is a fun little marathon in a very friendly place. Very low-key. No timing chips. No bands. No loudspeakers. Low entry fee. The 2017 edition was run in a near-constant light rain with 10 mph winds. The bibs were plain paper, so they quickly deteriorated and fell off in the rain and wind. No big deal. The volunteers at the aid stations gutted it out and offered encouragement; thanks! The race director tried her best to keep the course markings renewed when the rain washed the paint away. Most of the out-and-back course is on the shoreline road, so even on a rainy day it was pretty. There are rolling hills throughout, but they're not steep and they're generally not long. It might be good to take a look at the course map beforehand so you know where you're going for the in-town stretch of the course, just in case. If you need spectators and an expo and big electric clocks showing you your time, go somewhere else. I recommend this race to anybody looking for a low-key race in a beautiful Alaska town. I also recommend the Squawking Raven B&B. Thanks Wrangell. Thanks, Sylvia.