Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon
- July 31, 2007
- Rated 2 of 5 by
dmckone from Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Although I wouldn't run this one again, it has nothing to do with the course. Midnight Sun is a Team in Training event, which means there's little consideration for the individual runner. I ran the half marathon and my husband ran the marathon.
The race is run in June, around the time of the summer solstice, when the sun really does stay out until midnight.
The pre-race expo was pretty standard, race packets and a couple clothing vendors. There was a pasta dinner for Team in Training runners only; the website had made it sound as though there was a dinner for other runners, and some volunteers sent us to the nearby museum, but it was closed up tight. Because we weren't with Team in Training, no one could recommend an alternative.
The course is largely run along the scenic Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, an asphalt path that follows the shore; the full marathon also goes through the air force base, where large gravel was a concern for some runners. At the half marathon turnaround at the airport I saw a moose browsing among some trees, and it was thrilling to be under jets as they took off and landed.
I noticed that the Team in Training coaches would only call encouragement to Team in Training runners. After six or eight miles, I found that offensive. I was fortunate I carried my own water because they didn't seem to be holding out cups to independent runners.
I was happy with my finishing time, however, thanks largely to the cool temperature and light rain that morning. Post-race refreshments were a little hard to figure out, and the volunteers neglected to give me a finisher's medal, but the massage felt wonderful afterward.
If you're looking for an Alaskan marathon, I'd only recommend this one if you can't make it for Humpy's Marathon in August.
From journal Doggone Alaska
The Midnight Sun Marathon
- November 16, 2000
- Rated 4 of 5 by
Ems from Mt Vernon, Ohio
The marathon was a challenge, considering that it was on both trails and road with many "altitude adjustments". The beauty of the course, however, is unparalleled! The scenery definitely takes one's mind off the race!
From journal The Midnight Sun Marathon in Anchorage, AK