With activities for Alaska Bearfest 2017 already underway, running enthusiasts are gearing up for its finale on Sunday.
This year’s Bearfest Marathon-1/2-5K will be featuring three separate but concurrently run events, with participants taking on either the five-kilometer (3.1 miles), 13.1-mile or 26.2-mile runs. The start time is at 8 a.m., outside the Nolan Center, but day-of registration opens up at 7 a.m.
Becca Rice has been organizing this year’s event, which has been a component of Wrangell’s bear-related celebration for its past eight years. Though she has never run in it herself, as an Alaska Vistas employee, Rice has helped with the festival on and off over the past decade.
The 5K segment will head down Ishiyama Road, with runners making the loop and returning to the Nolan Center. The half and full marathons will both head south via Zimovia Highway. Half-marathon runners will be able to turn around at the 6 Mile point, while those going for the full marathon will continue to the bus turnaround at 13 Mile.
“We’ll have different stations along the way,” Rice said.
Dispensing water, Gatorade and various energy-boosting snacks, seven aid stations are being set up at intervals of two or three miles along the different courses. Wrangell Medical Center, City Market, Alaska Airlines, Alaska Vistas, Swim Club, Community Market and the Garnet Grit Betties roller derby team each will occupy a station.
This year’s organizers would like to improve how they mark out the at times winding courses as they wend through town. “We’re going to place people at corners, because signs only go so far,” Rice explained. Marathon organizers are still looking for volunteers willing to help direct runners in this fashion, but also anyone who might want to cheer participants on from the sidelines. “People being excited for runners give them that extra push.”
Wrangell’s running community is still growing, with groups and clubs like the Southeast Beasts adding annual events to its schedule over the past several years. A slightly lengthier tradition, Bearfest’s run is also the town’s only proper marathon, finally earning its certification as a qualifier for other races in 2015.
“It’s a Boston qualifier,” Rice noted. This means that finishing times in Sunday’s marathon can be used to qualify for the annual Boston Marathon, a prestigious run which serves as a benchmark for many others worldwide.
One group expected this year will be four septuagenarians, with Wrangell’s marathon to be one of many around the country they have run together over the years. “They do it because they love running,” Rice said.
Signing up for the day’s races will include registration fees, which drop for those who do so early. For instance, participation in the 5K costs $15 the morning of, but is free for those who pre-register. Similarly, the half-marathon is $25 and marathon $50 for early signers, but is respectively $35 and $65 for those registering on Sunday.
“Everything goes back to Bearfest,” Rice explained, with entry fees not just paying for marathon-related events, but also defraying costs for the festival’s speakers, daily movies, music and other activities.
There are several ways to sign up. One is to attend the evening lasagna feed at the Nolan Center Saturday at 6 p.m., which will also serve as a question and answer period about the different races’ details. People can register online at https://raceroster.com/events/2017/11900/2017-bearfest-marathon-12-5k, or can stop into the Alaska Vistas office beforehand to sign up in person. Those wishing to volunteer can call the office at 874-3006, or can email Rice at beccamarierice@gmail.com.
Following this year’s marathon, after its first finisher, a raffle drawing is planned to be held outside the Nolan Center. Up to be won will be a pair of round-trip tickets provided by Alaska Airlines.
In addition to this year’s Ray Troll-designed Alaska Bearfest shirts, Rice mentioned that shirts have been specially designed for participants of this year’s marathon and the other runs. Designed by local artist Charity Hommel, the red tees sport a distinctive bear pawprint logo with the profile of a runner in it.
For more information on Bearfest, its marathon and an updated schedule of events and speakers, check out its home page at http://www.alaskabearfest.org
Reader Comments(0)