Get ready for one of the year’s most fun, yet scariest races in Juneau – The Halloween Half and 5K. Take to the streets of Juneau on October 26 starting at 10 a.m. for an out-and-back course offering stunning views of Juneau’s glacier and Fritz Cove.
Although the course has some hills, that’s not the scary part. Run the course in your favorite scary costume and enjoy the sights of others in their best Halloween apparel as you run for candy and some healthy snacks.
The event will feature a 5K for those not interested in the spook of a half marathon.
The half marathon course will take you through some incredible Juneau areas. It starts just steps away from Juneau Hotel, meaning if you stay at Juneau Hotel, you can enjoy a leisurely wake-up and convenient start for the race.
You’ll run by Harris Harbor where you can see the unique watercraft in Juneau. The half marathon makes its way up past some neat landmarks all the way to Auke Bay. You’ll run past the airport and catch some unique glimpses of Mendenhall Valley.
It’s a great way to see Juneau while competing. You’ll be competing against your peers with two race categories: 19 and up and 18 and under in both the half marathon and 5K.
Juneau Trail & Road Runners, formerly the Southeast Road Runners, organizes the event along with other major races in the area. The group is made up of runners hoping to share their passion with others in the community. They aim to capture the spirit of running for both those who are serious athletes and those who run recreationally. Even if you aren’t in town for the Halloween Half and 5K, consider joining in a group run if you’re an avid athlete looking to log some miles while you’re in town. The group would enjoy having you and work to find a good pace group to place you in for the best results.
As is the case with most things in Juneau, the Halloween Half and 5K takes place rain, snow or shine. The 5-year average for the event puts the expected race temperature between 57 and 75 degrees. The humidity will likely be high as the average is 74%. Expect some precipitation but likely not a downpour given that the average rainfall is .16 inches. You’ll unlikely run in sunshine, but bring your sunglasses and sunscreen just in case.
With races all over the country, you might be wondering why you would want to visit a small town in Alaska for a running event. You’ll never find a more stunning backdrop for a run than the unique vistas available in Juneau.
The Halloween Half Marathon is a great chance to experience a variety of what Juneau has to offer. After the race, you can spend a few days taking your time exploring each area. Here’s what you should be looking at as you compete in one of the most scenic half-marathons in the United States.
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Since the race starts in downtown Juneau, you’ll get an up-close look at many unique sites. The race takes place in the morning so the hustle and bustle will still be light. But if you run on your own later in the day, the streets will be humming with activity as locals and visitors make their way around this unique city.
If you’re racing, you won’t want to slow down and take it all in. But you can look around and be in awe of this amazing city and its locals.
Look at the unique shops, landmarks and architecture. You won’t find another city like Juneau even inside of Alaska. That’s why you come to Juneau to run, hike, eat and explore.
Have you ever run alongside a glacier before? If not, this is your chance. The valley is vast and will show you just how beautiful wide open spaces can be. The valley is also the largest populated place in the corporate limits of the City and Borough of Juneau.
As you run through the area, keep in mind that the glacier formed the valley over the course of 3,000 years. While the valley is 10 miles long, you likely won’t see it all during a run.
The backdrop for your run will be Mendenhall Glacier, a 13.6-mile-long glacier that sits among 5,815 acres of a federally designated part of Tongass National Forest.
Experts believe that this incredible natural landmark won’t be around forever. It has retreated 1.75 miles since 1929, creating Mendenhall Lake. As time passes, the glacier will continue its retreat given the increasing average yearly temperatures. Now is the time to see this incredible giant before it is too late.
Be sure to come back after your run to hike at Mendenhall. You’ll find hiking trails of various lengths and difficulty levels to make the experience enjoyable no matter your skill level.
There’s no better place for wildlife viewing in Juneau than Auke Bay. Watch for harbor seals and bald eagles. If you aren’t racing and make Auke Bay your running destination, sit and stay for a while in the harbor. You might see whales surface or harbor porpoises playing.
The Sitka black-tailed deer run along the road. You can plan to spend at least an hour at Auke Bay. But if you want to take it all in, consider staying up to 4 hours. Boat owners and fishermen will come and go, giving you a taste of what daily life in Juneau is like. During the summer months, Auke Bay has one of the busiest ports in all of southeast Alaska.
The best times to visit are during tourist season of May through September. But if you do visit in October for the half marathon, you won’t regret it.
After your run, return with a picnic to sit and take in all the beautiful nature that culminates there.
You won’t see all of Juneau during the half marathon, but you will get a neat glimpse into life in the area. As you plan your visit, consider adding these fun sightseeing experiences.
Choose your stay wisely. A downtown Juneau hotel will allow you to get to the start line with ease on race morning. And it will put you in the area with the best dining options as you explore Juneau. Juneau Hotel offers a comfortable environment just like home. Enjoy a full kitchen in every suite as well as a washer and dryer so you don’t have to haul your stinky race clothes home with you. Book your stay now to ensure you get a room right at the start line for the Halloween Half Marathon and 5K.
Further reading:
Considering running through Juneau to see its wild beauty? Here’s a listing of the Juneau marathons, half marathons and fun runs for the year.
Enjoy exploring Alaska while supporting its untouched wilderness. These eco-friendly stays in Alaska allow you to preserve the area.
If you’ll be visiting Juneau by sea as part of an Alaskan cruise, don’t miss these sightseeing activities and harbor highlights.
