Running

At Alaska Run for Women, thousands will be moving to the music

The Alaska Run for Women always comes with a soundtrack, and this year thousands of runners and walkers will be moving to all kinds of music.

Seven musical acts will be situated along the five-mile course, said Lupe Marroquin, who serves as ambience director for the all-women's event.

From jazz to folk to bagpipes, there will be sounds to suit nearly all tastes.

The intent, Marroquin said, "is to make people smile and feel lighter on their feet."

"The music pulls people forward," she said. "I think when they hear the music playing, they know JazzMom's going to be at the top of that really ugly first hill at 15th and E."

JazzMom is Melisssa Fischer, the first musical act runners will hear after leaving the start line near Sullivan Arena.

By the time people return to the finish line at Anchorage Football Stadium, they'll have heard music from seven groups, duos or soloists.

ADVERTISEMENT

"It makes five miles go a little faster because the music is pulling them forward," Marroquin said. "They forget about the labor involved."

Here's the on-course lineup:

15th Ave. and E Street — Melissa Fischer, jazz singer.

4th Ave. and E Street – The SpeNerds, surfer rock band.

2nd Ave., shortly before the Coastal Trail — Rick Salinski and Mark Manners, jazz duo.

Coastal Trail near the Oscar Anderson House — Anchorage Scottish pipes and drums.

Tunnel before Westchester Lagoon – Carole Ann Wolfe, Jim Wolfe, Jim Kerr, folk music.

Westerchester Lagoon lawn — Tomodachi Daiko drummers.

Valley of the Moon Park — Anchorage Marimba Ensemble.

The music will continue at the football stadium, where a DJ will provide music until 11 a.m. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the band N.E.D. — short for No Evidence of Disease – will perform. The group consists of six gynecologic oncology surgeons from across the country — including Anchorage's Joanie Hope, an oncologist at the Alaska Women's Cancer Care and the director of GynOncology at the Providence Alaska Cancer Center.

Saturday race schedule

8:30 a.m. — 1-mile start

8:45 a.m. — Timed 5-mile start

9:05 a.m. — Untimed 5-mile start

9:20 a.m. Untimed 5-mile party wave and baby strollers

Beth Bragg

Beth Bragg wrote about sports and other topics for the ADN for more than 35 years, much of it as sports editor. She retired in October 2021. She's contributing coverage of Alaskans involved in the 2022 Winter Olympics.

ADVERTISEMENT