First Hill image - Image by Nurit KatzRace Info

Here you’ll find all the details you need to know about running the Equinox Marathon and Relay.

  • Marathon Course: maps and a course description, as well as a mile-marker map to help you get oriented to the course
  • Relay Info: what you need to know about registering a team and running the relay legs
  • Schedule: from the start of registration through the post-race awards banquet
  • Strategy: some tips and suggestions for nailing your run
  • Rules: some of the unique rules that make this unique race work
  • FAQs: to make sure all of your questions are answered
  • Visitors: if you’re coming from out of town, get information about where to stay

In 2018, we added an official Hiker class, so you can register as either a Hiker or a Marathoner. The minimum time to qualify as a hiker for the marathon course is 7 hours. If you are faster than that, you will be put into the marathon results. Either way, the cut-off time is still 10 hours to receive a patch and be in the results. The cost for hikers is the same as a marathoner (see the Entry Fees page for registration costs).

Bib Pickup

Bib pickup will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday September 17 and Friday September 18 at Beaver Sports, 3480 College Rd. Bibs and t-shirts will be distributed, and relay changes can be made. Bib pickup is not possible for relay teams on race day but is possible for marathoners from 7:00-7:45 a.m. at the UAF Student Recreation Center.

Registration is also possible for an additional fee at bib pickup September 17-18. There is no registration on race day, no exceptions.

Start Time

The Equinox marathon begins at 8:00 a.m, with a single mass start.

Finish Line Cutoff Time

The finish line for all Equinox events closes down at 6:00 p.m., 10 hours after the marathon start. Every person who finishes by 6:00 p.m. will receive a finish time. Those who finish after 6:00 p.m. will not be timed or receive any of the finish recognition items that those who finish before 6:00 p.m. receive. We understand that it is a major achievement for some people to finish in any amount of time. However, the Equinox events have a policy of enforcing a firm cutoff time.

At the Finish

  • Food will be provided for racers free of charge, with burgers highlighting the menu for 2026. Food will be served from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • There will be a brief awards presentation around 1 p.m. for the top 5 podium finishers for men and women. A full awards ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m. on race night at the UAF Student Recreation Center with refreshments and a wide variety of awards for the marathon and relay.

Awards Ceremony

Awards will be given for the following at the Awards Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at the UAF Student Recreation Center. All are welcome to attend, regardless of whether they’ll receive an award. More details can be found on our awards page. Doors open for socializing and dining (pizza, dessert and beverages) at 5:30 p.m.  The awards presentation will begin at 6:15 p.m.

  • Marathon – Top 5 men’s and women’s podium (and non-binary if that division has entrants)
  • Marathon – Top 5 in the following age groups: 29 & under, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-89 (if applicable); there are no special age groups for marathoners under age 18.
  • Relay – Fastest Men’s Team/Fastest Women’s Team/Fastest Coed Team/Fastest Masters Team/Best Costumes/Best Team Name/Fastest men & women for legs 1,2 and 3.
  • The Marathon Hike is considered non-competitive and therefore has no awards.
  • Spirit of the Equinox Award

Junior Entrants

While junior racers under age 18 are welcome to enter the marathon run, most youth that age are encouraged to run recreationally or with their parents, and therefore no special age groups or awards exist for juniors; they will appear in the results in the 29 & under age group.
Historically, more juniors sign up for the relay than the marathon while some hike the marathon with friends or family. Juniors in the marathon receive $25 off their entry fee while junior relay teams – if all three members are under age 18 – receive $75 off their fee.

All junior marathoners must be accompanied by a parent/guardian to the start and met by them at the finish. Junior relay runners must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at the start and finish of each leg; parents/guardians of Leg 2 or 3 runners are therefore permitted to take the shuttle to the top of Ester Dome to accompany and meet their junior runner(s).