Girdwood Marathon route map
raceindex.org has a GPS course file for Girdwood Marathon, so runners can inspect the route line on the map. Elevation charts and ascent figures appear only when that file includes usable elevation data.
Girdwood Marathon
This race edition
- Race date
- Date not confirmed for this distance
- Race timezone
- Timezone not confirmed
- Edition status
- Status not confirmed
Entry options
2026 edition
Entry options are not yet confirmed for this edition. Check the organiser before making plans.
Modelled energy-cost change 6.8% versus flat · net elevation 4 m
View verified GPS mapOfficial event website & entry ↗Plan my trainingPlan my paceData current as of Source last verified
Decision summary
Girdwood Marathon at a glance
- Route ascent
- 1,076 m
- Typical conditions
- 72/100
- Evidence depth
- 38 verified facts
Lower than 17% of comparable mapped races
Historical race-date favourability, not a forecast
Stored GPS route
Quick answers
What runners ask first
How hilly is the Girdwood Marathon?
The Girdwood Marathon route has 1,076 m of ascent, 1,073 m of descent and an estimated 6.8% grade-adjusted pace penalty versus a flat route.
Where does the Girdwood Marathon route go?
The Girdwood Marathon route starts at Alyeska Day Lodge, Girdwood, Alaska and finishes at Alyeska Day Lodge, Girdwood, Alaska. Underfoot, expect soft mountain trails, often wet in October. It passes Winner Creek Trail, Iditarod Trails, Nordic 5K Loop, Glacier Creek and Crow Creek Road. The race is a fundraiser for the Girdwood Nordic Ski Club, supporting trail maintenance and snow-machine grooming.
What should runners know on race day for the Girdwood Marathon?
Headphones and AirPods are discouraged so runners stay alert to wildlife on the trails. 5.
Race character
Scenery
- Forest
- Waterfront
- Mountain
- Riverside
- Lakeside
- Coastal
Atmosphere
- Wilderness
- Community
- Destination
Terrain
- Trail
- Elevation character
- Hilly
- Technicality
- Technical
Entry, logistics and records
Records and field
- Field size
- 83
- Field cap
- 83
Entry requirements
- Entry status
- Open entry: The held registration model is open entry and this edition is not marked sold out.
- Minimum age
- 16+
- Qualification status
- This trail marathon is not a Boston Marathon qualifier; it is run on soft mountain trails for the experience rather than for qualifying times.
Race day logistics
- Aid stations
- 5
- Headphones allowed
- No
- On-course music
- Headphones and AirPods are discouraged so runners stay alert to wildlife on the trails.
Access and course status
- Start
- Alyeska Day Lodge, Girdwood, Alaska
- Finish
- Alyeska Day Lodge, Girdwood, Alaska
Course facts
- Course type
- Laps
- Surface
- Soft mountain trails, often wet in October
- Landmarks
- Winner Creek Trail, Iditarod Trails, Nordic 5K Loop, Glacier Creek, Crow Creek Road, Alyeska Resort trails
- Notable features
- Runners are required to carry their own bear spray and hydration
- dogs are prohibited for both racers and spectators
- The race is a fundraiser for the Girdwood Nordic Ski Club, supporting trail maintenance and snow-machine grooming
- Five aid stations along the course stocked with water, snacks, and gummy bears
- The route weaves through more than 30 meandering trails in the Girdwood valley's temperate rainforest, including crossings of glacial creeks
How hilly is the Girdwood Marathon?
- Steep descent 17%
- Descent 15%
- Flat 33%
- Climb 17%
- Steep climb 17%
- Total ascent
- 1,076 m
- Net elevation
- +4 m
- GAP factor
- 6.8%
- Longest climb
- 1,500 m at 12.1%
What are typical race-day conditions?
- 6°CTypical temperature
- 11 kphTypical wind
- 9 mmTypical rainfall
- 72Favourability /100
More race details
Is the Girdwood Marathon flat?
Its normalised GAP factor is 6.8% slower than a flat course, with about 1076 m of total ascent.