2022 RESULTS
Spencer Glacier 5 Mile Dash
Come celebrate the beauty of the Spencer Glacier Area and the history of the Alaska Railroad History by racing the Spencer Glacier Overlook Trail which retraces the glacier recession over the last 100 years.
LOCATION
Take the Alaska Railroad to the starting line of the race! The cost of your ticket is included in your race registration fee.
All participants must depart from the Portage Train Depot (Mile 80.3 of the Seward Highway – Look for the small red-roofed building adjacent to the Seward Highway with a large parking lot; the railroad tracks are visible on the opposite, north side of the parking lot.)
Departure Options:
Saturday, June 4th – Train departs the Portage Railroad Depot at 1:25 PM. Be at the train station at 1:15 PM. Participants that choose to go the day before will receive their tickets at the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop the day of the race.
Sunday, June 5th – Train departs the Portage Railroad Depot at 1:25 PM. Be at the train station by 12:45 PM to receive your ticket and bib from a race greeter.
Return Options
Sunday, June 5th – Train departs from the Spencer Whistle Stop at 4:45 PM. Be at the train stop by 4:30 PM
All train tickets and travel will be coordinated by KMTA. Questions can be directed to Karen Lewis at karenlewis@kmtacorridor.org. Do not contact the Alaska Railroad.
Family Members
If you would like to have family members accompany you please let us know in the registration form and we will contact you to arrange tickets and payment. All family member tickets will be at the full price of $82 for adults and $41 for youth under 12.
BIB/TRAIN TICKET PICK UP
All Participants will park at the Portage Train Depot, Arriving at 12:45 PM to get Bibs.
Bib Pick-Up will take place at the Portage Depot on June 4th (If participants are overnighting at Spencer Glacier ) or June 5th.
If leaving on the June 4th train please go to the Portage Depot to see a Chugach Adventures/KMTA representative for your bib packet. If departing on June 5th a Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm NHA representative will give you your bib packet.
COST
$101 ($41 discounted train ticket plus $60 race registration fee)
The race is capped at a maximum of 75 participants.
No refunds will be given.
COURSE
The start of the race is only accessible by riding on the Alaska Railroad. The course will begin at the Spencer Whistle Stop of the Alaska Railroad and follow the Spencer Glacier Trail to Spencer Lake. From Spencer Lake participants will run the Spencer Glacier Overlook to the end of the trail and then turn around and race back to the Chugach Adventures Base Camp located at the boat launch for a total of 5 Miles.
There is a 3:45 PM cutoff for the turnaround at the end of the trail (which is 1.5 Miles from the boat launch). All participants must be to the boat launch by 4 PM.
To return to the Whistle Spot participants may walk back to the Whistle Stop or wait for a shuttle provided by Chugach Adventures.
Race Participants run by a view of Spencer Glacier
RACE FORMAT
All Participants will arrive at the Spencer Whistle Stop courtesy of the Alaska Railroad’s Glacier Discovery Train between 1:50 PM to 2 PM.
- 2:25 PM – One WAVE (ALL 60 Participants) NOTE: Wave start time will be determined by the arrival time of the Glacier Discovery Train to the Spencer Whistle Train Stop. Race will commence approximately 25 minutes after arrival of the train to allow all Ranger led hikers, public hikers/campers to clear the area.
AGE LIMITS
The Spencer 5M Dash is open to all participants over the age of 16. If you have a youth that would also like to participate please contact us.
PARKING
Parking will be available at the Portage Depot at Mile 80.3 of the Seward Highway.
KEEPING US SAFE
The race is being held in bear country so carrying bear spray is recommended!
Before the Race:
– All Participants will follow AK Railroad Policies upon boarding the Glacier Discovery Train at 1:25 PM.
During the Race:
– Public Hikers will be provided the “Right of Way” and 6 Feet of Separation between all Public will be required.
– Announce passing (“on your left”, “on your right”) and take a wide berth if feasible.
– No aid will be provided; participants must bring all their own food and drink.
– Volunteers at the turnaround checkpoint will track runners.
– Basic First Aid kits available at turnaround checkpoint and from sweepers for each race.
GET A T-SHIRT!
Spencer Glacier Dash T-shirts are available here.
QUESTIONS
Please contact Rachel Blakeslee at rachelblakeslee@kmtacorridor.org or Karen Lewis at karenlewis@kmtacorridor.org
This event is being held with a permit from the Chugach National Forest.
RACE SPONSORS
