Alaska Salmon Runs
- Date Sat 18th July 2026
- Time 7:00AM AKDT
- Location Cordova, Alaska
- Price $27.50 - $75.20
- Races 5 races
- Distances Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km, 5km, 1 Mile
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Event summary
Join us for the vibrant Alaska Salmon Runs on Saturday, July 18, 2026, in the stunning location of Cordova, Chugach! This exciting running event features courses that wind through the breathtaking Copper River delta, where majestic mountains, glaciers, and crystal-clear rivers await. Participants can choose from a variety of race distances, including a scenic one-mile run, all set against the backdrop of this remarkable landscape.
Runners will enjoy a smooth experience as they are transported to the start line via shuttle buses, ensuring a hassle-free beginning to their race. The mostly flat courses follow the historic Copper River and Northwestern Railroad route, leading to the iconic Kennicott copper mines. After the race, participants are invited to a delicious post-run Salmon BBQ lunch featuring mouth-watering salmon, sides, and dessert, along with exciting door prizes! This festive occasion is part of the Salmon Jam weekend festival, filled with music, family-friendly activities, and the joy of running. Don’t miss this opportunity for fun, fitness, and community spirit in one of Alaska's most picturesque settings!
Runners will enjoy a smooth experience as they are transported to the start line via shuttle buses, ensuring a hassle-free beginning to their race. The mostly flat courses follow the historic Copper River and Northwestern Railroad route, leading to the iconic Kennicott copper mines. After the race, participants are invited to a delicious post-run Salmon BBQ lunch featuring mouth-watering salmon, sides, and dessert, along with exciting door prizes! This festive occasion is part of the Salmon Jam weekend festival, filled with music, family-friendly activities, and the joy of running. Don’t miss this opportunity for fun, fitness, and community spirit in one of Alaska's most picturesque settings!
Organiser's Description
Our running event courses traverse the world-famous Copper River delta, a land of mountains, glaciers, and blue water rivers and lakes. For each distance event (except the One Mile), runners meet at race HQ and are driven on shuttle buses to the start line for their race. The race courses are mostly flat (we're at sea level), and follow the old Copper River and Northwestern Railroad route which led to the Kennicott copper mines.
We also offer a post-run Salmon BBQ lunch, get your tickets here [https://runsignup.com/Race/Store/AK/Cordova/AlaskaSalmonRuns]! Lunch includes salmon, side dishes, dessert and door prizes. We'll announce race winners and distribute medals for the top three women and men finishers for each event here (at the Pioneer Igloo on First Street). This lunch is open to everyone, bring a dish to share (for 6 - 8 people) and get in free!
The Alaska Salmon Runs are part of our Salmon Jam weekend festival [https://salmonjam.org/], full of music, Small Fry arts and education activities for kids and families, running and salmon. Visit this web site for more details on the AK Salmon Runs, including FAQs, and weekend events.
We also offer a post-run Salmon BBQ lunch, get your tickets here [https://runsignup.com/Race/Store/AK/Cordova/AlaskaSalmonRuns]! Lunch includes salmon, side dishes, dessert and door prizes. We'll announce race winners and distribute medals for the top three women and men finishers for each event here (at the Pioneer Igloo on First Street). This lunch is open to everyone, bring a dish to share (for 6 - 8 people) and get in free!
The Alaska Salmon Runs are part of our Salmon Jam weekend festival [https://salmonjam.org/], full of music, Small Fry arts and education activities for kids and families, running and salmon. Visit this web site for more details on the AK Salmon Runs, including FAQs, and weekend events.
Races
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King Salmon Marathon
Incl. $5.20 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 18th July 2026 (7:00AM AKDT)
$75.20
Marathoners will be driven on a bus out to the race start (it's a point to point course), shuttle departs the hospital parking lot at 6:15 a.m. The marathon starts at the 27-mile bridge on the Copper River Highway, one of the many bridges that span the Copper River. The first half of the course is gravel road with little to no traffic, the second half is paved. June temperatures range from low 50s - 75F. Water stations are located along the course every 4 - 5 miles, starting with mile 5 of the marathon. A porta-potty is located at mile 16 on the marathon course, and USFS outhouse bathrooms are also located at mile 5 and mile 20 on the course. -
Sockeye Half Marathon
Incl. $5.20 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 18th July 2026 (9:30AM AKDT)
$75.20
Half-marathoners will be driven on a shuttle bus to the race start (this is a point-to-point course), bus departs the hospital parking lot at 9:00 a.m. The course is mostly flat, traversing the Copper River delta and its many wetlands and streams. Water stations are located along the course every 4 miles. A porta-potty is located at Mile 4 on the course (USFS kiosk), and a USFS outhouse bathroom is located at Mile 8 on the course (Eyak River boat launch). -
Coho 10K
Incl. $2.50 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 18th July 2026 (10:30AM AKDT)
$27.50
Shuttle van will take runners to the race start, vans depart from the hospital parking lot at 10:00 a.m. -
Humpy 5K
Incl. $2.50 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 18th July 2026 (10:45AM AKDT)
$27.50
Shuttle van will take runners to the race start, vans depart from the hospital parking lot at 10:30 a.m. -
Smolt 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk
Incl. $2.50 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 18th July 2026 (11:15AM AKDT)
$27.50
Race start is at 11:15 a.m. in front of the Cordova Community Medical Center on Chase Ave.
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Location
620 Chase Ave., Cordova, 99574, AK, United States
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Alaska Salmon Runs
