Frank Maier Marathon & Douglas Island Half Marathon
July 28th, 2012
This USATF-certified, out and back marathon and half marathon is run at sea level on the lightly traveled, two-lane Douglas Highway in Juneau, Alaska. We also can be used as a time qualifier for the Boston Marathon. This moderately hilly course has been compared in difficulty to the Boston Marathon. The scenic course offers views of mountains, glaciers, forests, and the ocean. The start/finish is near the picnic shelter at Sandy Beach, in Douglas.
Custom etched-glass awards to the top two or three places in men and women finishers in open (up to 39) and masters (40-49), seniors (50-59) and grandmasters (60+) age divisions!* Finisher medal and T-shirt, complete results, and, if you are lucky, an on-course photo for all marathoners. We do try to photograph all the runners as they cross the finish line.
This year we are adding ‘deci runs’ as well (1.31 and 2.62 miles) to our list of races. The wheeled division also makes a return to the line as well this year.
(*) Early starters do not compete for top awards.
Questions? Contact Kimberly Vaughan or Brian Bezenek for more information.
Custom etched-glass awards to the top two or three places in men and women finishers in open (up to 39) and masters (40-49), seniors (50-59) and grandmasters (60+) age divisions!* Finisher medal and T-shirt, complete results, and, if you are lucky, an on-course photo for all marathoners. We do try to photograph all the runners as they cross the finish line.
This year we are adding ‘deci runs’ as well (1.31 and 2.62 miles) to our list of races. The wheeled division also makes a return to the line as well this year.
(*) Early starters do not compete for top awards.
Questions? Contact Kimberly Vaughan or Brian Bezenek for more information.
All of the runs, marathon and half marathon as well the deci routes are located on Douglas Island, immediately west of Juneau. A short bridge accesses Douglas just north (about 0.5 mile) of downtown Juneau. Each mile is marked and there are aid stations at (roughly) every 2.25 miles. GU energy gels will be available at aid stations along with water and sports drinks. The marathon and half marathon course is open, and supporting runners, until 12:00pm on race day. Event timing normally continues until all runners are off the course.
A free BBQ is held at the Savikko Park shelter immediately following the races. The menu includes vegetarian and meat dishes (often fresh sockeye salmon), salads, sides, and drinks. The shelter is adjacent to the start and finish area, and is also used for registration and packet pick up. Awards will occur at the BBQ, roughly 11:30 AM. A no-host pizza social will take place at 6pm after the race at the downtown Bullwinkle's Pizza Parlor (318 Willoughby Ave). This provides a more relaxed opportunity for runners to meet and talk about travels, the race, running and other experiences. Registration and Packet Pick-up
To Register on-line, visit Active.com. Downloadable forms to mail in will be available shortly. Entry fee for the Marathon is $40. Entry fee for the Half Marathon is $20 before July 27th or $25 on race day. Register before April 30th, and have the option for getting a wicking t-shirt, in place of the regular t-shirt, for an extra $15. Deci race entry fees are $17. A ‘green’ fee of $5 is being adding for entries that are submitted by paper copies.
Race day registration is available under the picnic shelter at Sandy Beach, near the start of the race, beginning at 5am up to a half hour before the race start. Packet pick-up: Folks registered by Wednesday, July 25 may pick up race packets at the Nugget Mall near Nugget Alaskan Outfitter between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Thursday, July 26 and at the Goldbelt Hotel (51 Main St.) between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Friday, July 28. Otherwise, packets will be available on race day at the registration table. Race day activities, including race day registration, packet pick-up, the finish line and the post race BBQ and award ceremony all occur at Savikko Park. Parking, restrooms, a covered shelter and staging area for each race occur near the picnic shelter and finish line. The start line for each race is located 0.2 miles Northwest of the shelter and finish line. Before each race, runners generally congregate near the picnic shelter prior to their race, and begin walking to the start line about 15 minutes before their race starts. Two start times are available for each race. Runners are strongly encouraged to select a start time that enables them to finish before noon (when the course closes and aid stations are abandoned). Frank Maier Marathon start times are 6am and 7am. Half Marathon start times are 8am and 9am. Runners who select the early start MUST be present at the starting line at least 5 minutes prior to the race start and show their race bib to the race official for identification. Deci start times will be at 9:15 am. |  Marathon Records
Women's Open: Garrette McIntire, 26, Juneau, AK, 3:12:23 (2009) Women's Masters: Mary Hanna, 48, Maple Valley, WA, 3:25:04 (2010) Women's Wheelchair: Holly Koester, 48, Cleveland, OH, 3:27:17 (2008) Men's Open: Shawn Miller, 23, Juneau, AK, 2:31:30 (2003) Men's Masters: Jim Douglas, 44, Juneau, AK, 2:45:56 (1993) Men's Wheelchair: Seth McBride, 24, Juneau, AK, 2:27:21 (2007) Half Marathon Records Women's Open: Merry Ellefson, 39, Juneau, AK, 1:25:19 (2001) Women's Masters: Merry Ellefson, 45, Juneau, AK, 1:27:26 (2007) Men's Open: Shawn Miller, 25, Juneau, AK, 1:09:33 (2005) Men's Masters: Guy Thibodeau, 42, Juneau, AK, 1:14:16 (1993) Men's Wheelchair: Seth McBride, 23, Juneau, AK, 1:37:19 (2006)  |
Course Map and Rough Elevation Profile
(All values are approximate)
Marathon First Mile: Gently Uphill (gain 75 feet) ~Mile 4: Short Hill (gain 75', lose 75') ~Mile 9: Gentle Hills (gain 75', lose 75') ~Mile 12.5: Steeper Hill (gain 150') Turnaround ~Mile 13: Steeper Hill (gain 150') ~Mile 17: Gentle Hills (gain75', lose 75') ~Mile 22: Short Hill (gain75', lose 75') Miles 25.2-26: Gentle Downhill (lose 75') Half Marathon Mile 0-.8: Gentle Uphill (gain 75') ~Mile 4 - Short Hill (gain 75', lose 75') Turnaround Point ~Mile 9 - Short Hill (gain75', lose 75') Miles 1.2-13 - Gentle Downhill (lose 75')  Ariel view of Marathon and Half Marathon finish area. |  |
History of the Juneau Marathon
The Juneau Parks and Recreation department sponsored marathons in Juneau from 1971 through 1988. One constant between 1980 and 1988 (the last marathon for several years) was the participation of Juneau architect and marathon enthusiast Frank Maier. The current version of the Juneau Marathon began in 1992, about a year and half after a fishing accident claimed Frank Maier. As a tribute to Frank, the Southeast Road Runner Club has run "The Frank Maier Marathon". Click Here to access a brief history of Juneau marathons.
| Visitor Information
If you are interested in coming to Juneau for the marathon or 1/2 marathon, the following links might help you with information on air travel, accomodations, maps, and weather:
City & Borough Juneau (CBJ) - Information for Visitors to Juneau City & Borough Juneau (CBJ) - Maps of Juneau and area Juneau Convention and Visitors Bureau (JCVB) Juneau Convention and Visitors Bureau - Accomodations in Juneau |
