Tina “Luvs-Torun” Lam (HF16109 MM15672 DA3665) –Skinny Raven Half Marathon & 10k was yesterday. In Anchorage, we have two races named the Skinny Raven Half. The July race is hosted by Skinny Raven Sports Running store and the August race is hosted by the Anchorage Running Club, but sponsored by Skinny Raven during Anchorage RunFest.
This year, they changed the race route and we headed out on the west section of the Coastal trail. It is a more scenic route, but also more hilly. Rain and clouds prevented us from seeing the mountains, but you do see downtown Anchorage on the way back. 55F, pouring rain, huge puddles, and I had wet feet walking 1 block to the start by the Centennial Rose Garden on the parkstrip.
There is an 8am early start for half marathoners that will take 3 hours or longer. I chose this start because I don’t like to miss the after party, but this time I had to finish and leave to go to work by noon. The main wave starts at 9am, 10k starts at 9:20am.
The half marathon had 360 finishers and 10k had 253 finishers. After running on the Coastal trail, about 2 miles are on the shoulder of the open road near the airport. Planes are flying overhead. After the turnaround, the head wind was strong. I got cold and my feet felt numb by mile 10. I kept moving.
The race ends on a hill and they have hill angels from Raven Run Club that will run along side of you to get up the last hill. I like out and back races because you are able to see more runners around. Lots of aid stations.
Free finish line photos, photobooth, cider garden, race glass to take home, to go lunch box from Beartooth- had chicken bacon ranch wrap, chips, fruit cup, Kaladi’s coffee, etc. My friend was the bike sweeper and they saw a momma moose and calf at mile 10. They also saw a downed tree on the trail and helped a wheelchair racer at mile 8.2.
Challenging race for my half marathon #69! #HF16109 #MM15672 #DA3665 #AlaskaAmbassador
Photo and Post Credit Tina “Luvs-Torun” Lam