Running

Signup deadlines approach for Saturday's Mayor's Marathon, half-marathon, 5K

A couple of chances remain to enter the 44th annual Anchorage Mayor's Marathon and its shorter races.

Online registration continues through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday at goseawolves.com.

After that, the last chance to enter any of Saturday's races — the marathon, half-marathon or 5K — is Thursday or Friday at the Alaska Health and Fitness Expo at the Alaska Airlines Center.

Runners must pick up their bibs at the expo, which runs from 3-8 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. Athletic-themed booths will line the arena's interior.

Thursday will also feature the free Healthy Futures Kids' Mile, for kids in 6th grade and under, at 7 p.m. at the Alaska Airlines Center parking lot. Parents need to register their kids at least 30 minutes before race time.

Race director Michael Friess said he's a big fan of the kids' event.

"It's hard not to appreciate the enthusiasm and joy in all the children's faces when they are participating," he said. "It really is a pretty cool thing. They get out there, they love to run, love to be in the fresh air and they get their finisher medal."

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This is the 17th year Friess, who coaches cross country and track at UAA, has been the race director for the Mayor's Marathon. In 1987, he won the race in  2 hours, 24 minutes, 44 seconds — a record that stood until 2009.

"It was really one of the first big runs in the city," he said. "If you were any runner and you're talking the '70s and '80s … if you considered yourself a runner, you ran Mayor's."

About 3,200 people have signed up for Saturday's timed events, including about 1,800 from Alaska. Entries include runners from 48 states and five continents.

Last year's timed events — the marathon, half-marathon and 5K — drew more than 3,600 people, with runners coming from all 50 states.

Thursday at Alaska Airlines Center

3-8 p.m. — Alaska Health and Fitness Expo and bib pick-up
7 p.m. — Healthy Futures Kid's Mile

Friday at Alaska Airlines Center

10 a.m.-6 p.m. — Alaska Health and Fitness Expo and bib pick-up

Saturday race times

7:30 a.m. — Anchorage Mayor's Marathon & Marathon Relay at Bartlett High School
9 a.m. — Alaska Half-Marathon & Buddy Half-Marathon at Delaney Park Strip
9:15 a.m. — Coastal 5K at Delaney Park Strip

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