Duff's Skagway Marathon
Join Duff's Skagway Marathon
The annual Duff’s Skagway Marathon, Half Marathon, and Walking Half Marathon is in June. Known far and wide as one of the hardest – and most rewarding – marathons in North America, the Skagway Marathon has quite the reputation.The Skagway Full Marathon is difficult course that covers a variety of terrain, elevation gains and drop, and takes you from small historical town setting to tranquil wilderness. Although considered a road marathon this out and back race crosses over into trail territory with most of the rugged roads midway into the race.
This course is very hilly so keep this in mind for your training.The runners who’ve crossed the finish line the past few years at the Skagway Marathon know why this race advertises itself with the tagline, “5% tough, 95% brutal.” With a course that unfolds hills, mountains, portions of glaciers, and through forests and past streams, this race isn’t the one to choose if you’re looking to PR.Instead, it’s one you’ll choose when you’re looking for an adventure, one that will take you along the Main Street of this small southeastern Alaska city and into the mountainous wilderness that overlooks its city streets, neighborhoods and the waters of Smugglers Cove below.Nestled along the Alaskan panhandle, Skagway was inhabited by the Tlingit people in prehistoric times, and later experienced a boom during the Gold Rush years, which left behind a railroad called the White Pass and Yukon Route that still operates during the summer months, mainly for tourists now.
Course highlights
Aid Station 1 (Mile 0 at Starting Line) to aid station 2 (Mile2.4 Dyea Cutoff):The start takes place in the car line lot of the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry Terminal. This section of the course will mostly be in the commercial and residential areas of Skagway and is mostly flat and paved. Please watch for traffic as you run on the streets. A Short distance after starting you will take a left turn at 1st Ave. and then 2 blocks later take a right on Main street. When you reach the Skagway River bridge you will turn left and cross over the pedestrian bridge. Continue on the paved road.
Aid Station 2 (Mile 2.4 at Dyea Cutoff) to Aid Station 3(Mile 4.2 Old Rifle Range Road):At aid station 2 runners will turn left onto Dyea road. Most of this section is gradual hills and inclines and is all paved.
Aid station 3 (Mile 4.2 Old Rifle Range Road) to Aid Station 4 (Mile 6.6 Nahku Road):Half Marathon and Walking Half Marathon Turn Around Point is Aid Station 4Immediately leaving aid station 3 the road will turn into gravel/dirt. It will be flat for a bit before winding alongside the mountain. You will descend slightly and flatten out and dip down to Long Bay. From there the road will incline more until flattening off upon reaching Nahku Road. Half Marathon runners and walkers turn around at aid station 4 and follow the same course back to the start/finish line.
Aid Station 4 (mile 6.6 Nahku Road) to Aid Station 5 (Mile 8.9 Dyea Outpost):Half Marathon and Walking Half Marathon Turn Around Point is Aid Station 4Full marathons will be the only runners continuing from this point. The road will be a series of gentle inclines and declines and continues to wind alongside the mountain with the Dyea Bay on the left. Right before Aid Station 5 the road will turn to pavement and flatten out.
Aid Station 5 (Mile 8.9 Dyea Outpost) to Aid Station 6 (Mile:10.8 Base of West Creek Hill):Not long after leaving Aid Station 5 the road will turn back to dirt/gravel. The road will be mostly flat in this section. You will cross 2 bridges. After the 2nd bridge you will turn LEFT. Continue on the road winding through the forest. When you approach a fork in the road stay RIGHT. When you come to an opening with a blue foot bridge DO NOT CROSS THE BLUE BRIDGE, continue on the road to stay on course. This area is frequented by bears-please be bear aware.
Aid Station 6 (10.8) to Aid Station 7 (Mile 13.1 : Top of West Creek Road-turn around spot for full marathon runners): This tough section is uphill and the road is fairly rough and rutted. Watch your footing. This area is frequented by bears-please be bear aware. The turnaround is at the top of the hill at aid station 7. This section also has its own mobile aid station. Turn around at aid station 7 and follow the course back to the start/finish line.
Route map
directions_runStart address: Skagway,us
flagFinish address: Skagway,us
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The race information has been found on the official website of the event or through publicly available sources. Always refer to the official website the latest race information. Please let us know if any data is wrong or missing, by emailing us.
