Mount Marathon Race
The toughest 5K on the planet
Every Fourth of July in Seward, runners sprint up and back down a 3,022-foot mountain in a brutal, century-old race watched by thousands. It's one of the oldest footraces in America and Seward's biggest day of the year.
Date
July 4, 2026
annual
Where
Seward
Kenai Peninsula
The climb
3,022 ft
up and down
Crowd
Thousands
town fills up
The guide
Mount Marathon Race
What it is
First run in 1915, Mount Marathon sends racers straight up a 3,022-foot peak and back to Seward's streets — over scree, cliffs, and mud. The pros finish in well under an hour; the descent is jaw-dropping.
Plan your visit
Seward is ~2.5 hours south of Anchorage. The Fourth of July is the town's biggest day — lodging books out far ahead, and the streets pack with spectators.
Plan around it
Events near Seward
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Related events
Mount Marathon Race — Seward
The toughest 5K on the planet — 98th running up and down Mount Marathon.
Iditarod Finish — Nome
Teams reach the Burled Arch in Nome
TicketsSeward 4th of July and Mount Marathon
Mount Marathon Race & Seward Fourth of July
Alaska's most famous footrace up Mount Marathon plus parade and waterfront festival.
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Good to know
Mount Marathon Race FAQ
When is the Mount Marathon Race?
Every July 4th in Seward, Alaska. The 2026 race is Saturday, July 4, 2026.
How long is Mount Marathon?
About 3.1 miles round-trip, but it climbs and descends a 3,022-foot mountain — earning it the nickname "the toughest 5K on the planet."
Can you watch Mount Marathon?
Yes — thousands line Seward's streets and the lower mountain to watch. It's free to spectate; arrive early on the Fourth.
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