EARLY START INFORMATION

FOR MARATHON runners & RELAY TEAMS

GET A HEAD START

Marathon runners and relay teams who estimate that they will not be able to complete the course in 5.5 hours can sign up for the early start.

If you are starting early, be at Rotary Peace Park by 6:50am. The race will start at 7:00am sharp.

  • The course is marked with orange pin flags and flagging tape.

  • Aid stations will not be open this early. We suggest that you run as a group for leg 1 if possible, or at least run as a group to the float planes where you will leave the paved portion of the course and get on to the trail.

  • Be self-supported and carry a water bottle.

  • There will be no marshals on the course at this time, so you must be aware of: 

  1. the turn onto the Millenium Trail

  2. the right turn onto the Rotary Centennial Bridge “the blue bridge” (sandwich board)

  3. the left turn into the Robert Service Campground (sandwich board)

  4. the left turn to Robert Service Way (flagged)

  5. the slight left onto Miles Canyon Rd (flagged)

  6. the right turn by the float planes to the trail

  7. after you come off the trail overlooking Schwatka Lake (the escarpment), you run downhill on Miles Canyon Rd for approx. 100 meters and take a sharp left onto a slightly overgrown trail that seems to go in the opposite direction (sandwich board). Take care, this section is narrow and has steep drop-offs!

  8. after crossing a narrow footbridge and reaching Miles Canyon Rd once again, take a left turn onto the ‘shoot’ that brings you to the Kwanlin / Miles Canyon Bridge. 

  • Once you are over Miles Canyon Bridge, marathoners turn right to begin leg 2 and leg 1 relay runners hand off to leg 2 runners.

  • The rest of the course will be flagged and the aid stations will open, but attention is always required.  

If you are a visitor to the Yukon, or are unfamiliar with the course, we strongly suggest that you walk the first leg to the float plane dock, or drive to the portions of leg 1 that are accessible by car to make yourself familiar with the course. 

At the very least, go over the race map so that you know what to expect.

25 YEARS AND RUNNING STRONG