SNOWFLAKE THE WINTER HOURGLASS CHALLENGE
_Run Ruck Ski Loaded Carry_
_ Soldotna Creek Park | Soldotna, Alaska_
_ Sat, February 21, 2026_

This is a Toughest Alive event.

Hosted by Alaskan family Andrew & Brooke, with help from Dossie & Sophia fully staffed with an aid station, hot drinks, and a warm-up area.


WHAT THIS IS
This isnt a normal race.

The Winter Hourglass is a community-first endurance challenge with plenty of swag, lots of encouragement, and a format that starts friendly then slowly turns into an unforgettable winter test of pacing, grit, and one more round.

Each round, you restart together hype, support, and high-fives until you decide youre done, or the hourglass finally wins.


HOW IT WORKS CHOOSE YOUR DIVISION
male sign RUN 2-MILE LOOP
Complete the 2-mile loop within the time allowed for each round.


RUCK 1-MILE LOOP
A ruck is simply a backpack with weight.
This division is beginner-friendly, and participation without weight is welcome for those new to rucking or managing injuries.

Standard ruck weights (optional):

Men: 35 lb
Women: 20 lb

SNOWFLAKE SKI LOOP COURSE
Cross-country ski option (weather and trail conditions permitting).
Loop distance and format will align with the Hourglass timing structure.


LOADED CARRY
A functional endurance option that blends strength, teamwork, and strategy into the Hourglass format.

Implements and loads provided
Carries clearly explained before the event
Focus on safe movement, grit, and consistency not max strength
Spectator-friendly and wildly fun to watch

HYBRID
A dynamite option for hybrid athletes:

Run the 2-mile loop
Complete 10 burpees before your round is complete


THE HOURGLASS FORMAT
Every athlete starts with 30 minutes to complete their loop.

After each successful round, the hourglass drops:
stopwatch Each new round gives you 1 minute less to finish the same task.

Round 1: 30 minutes
Round 2: 29 minutes
Round 3: 28 minutes
and so on
You continue until you time out or choose not to restart.

Maximum event length: under 6 hours.

check mark button Your score = total completed laps.
The event continues until only one athlete remains in each division or until time runs out on everyone.


WHO THIS IS FOR
All ages and skill levels
Anyone needing a real cabin-fever cure
Runners who want winter fun and a pacing test
Ruckers who want a tough-but-welcoming challenge
Skiers who want something different
Hybrid athletes testing endurance and resolve
First-timers welcome the early rounds are generous
You dont need to be elite.
You just need to be willing to keep restarting.


SAFETY & SUPPORT
On-site staff
Warm-up area
Hot drinks + friendly aid station cheering you on every loop
This event is outdoors expect winter conditions and dress accordingly

SCORING & RESULTS
Final standings are based on:
check mark Total loops completed
check mark Last athlete standing (if applicable)
check mark Separate results/podiums by division
(Run / Ruck / Ski / Loaded Carry / Hybrid / Kids)

QUALIFICATION INVITE
Top finishers in each division at the Winter Hourglass will receive a special invitation to compete in the Ultimate Hourglass, hosted by Toughest Alive in Anchorage in September. This invitation-only event brings together the strongest, toughest, and most consistent athletes from Hourglass events across Alaska and the lower 48, for a higher-level challenge. Qualification is earned through performance, consistency, and grit not luck. If you want a reason to dig deeper when the clock gets tight, this is it.

ARE YOU READY TO BEAT THE HOURGLASS?
Come get outside.
Get uncomfortable in the best way.
Leave with a story.

Register today and test yourself against winter, the clock, and your own limits.


SWAG BAGS
Listen swag matters.

Every participant receives a swag bag, highlighted by an official Hourglass event T-shirt.



warning Sign-ups after Thursday, February 26th are not guaranteed an event T-shirt.