2026 Turnagain Arm Trail Run

About the Event

Trail update: The conditions in the washed out section between McHugh and Rainbow are still not ideal. We will evaluate the conditions closer to the race date and either run the race through the problematic section, if it is safe, or run it similar to last year (out and back between Potter and McHugh). We look forward to seeing everyone again in May!

Annual 8 and 4 mile trail-running races on one of the most scenic trails in Southcentral Alaska. It is a point-to-point race between Potter TH and Rainbow TH. We alternate the direction every year between Northbound and Southbound.

Even Years: Start at Rainbow TH/McHugh TH - Finish at Potter TH
Odd Years: Start at Potter TH/McHugh TH - Finish at Rainbow TH

The 8-mile course starts at the either end of the trail (Potter Trail Head in odd years and Rainbow TH in even years) and ends at the opposite end Trail Head. We will run through the parking lot at McHugh to get intermediate times. The 4-mile course is the same as the last 4 miles of the 8-mile course (starting at McHugh in the lower parking lot), with the same finish as the 8 mile run.

All participants are responsible for the $5.00 vehicle parking fee or annual State Parks parking permit. Let’s keep this wonderful trail nice and clean, so if you pack it in please pack it out! There is no shuttle service, so please use the buddy system/carpool.

Bib pick-up will begin 45 minutes before the start at the starting point of your race, i.e. Potter TH for the 8-milers and McHugh for the 4-milers. There will also be bib pick-up available the afternoon before the race day, May 6th between 4 and 6 pm at the Alaska Airlines Center – coaches suite.

This event is a fundraiser for the UAA Ski Team. Thank you for taking part in this fun race and for your continued support!

Races Offered

4 Mile Run

May 07, 2026

straighten

Distance — 4 Miles

terrain

Type — Running

timer

18:30

sell

$45.00

8 Mile Run

May 07, 2026

straighten

Distance — 8 Miles

terrain

Type — Running

timer

18:30

sell

$45.00

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in Anchorage.

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

thermostat 3.8° / 13.0°

wb_sunny 1.1° / 10.1°

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

air 6.8 /

water_drop 72.5%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat 3.8° / 13.0°

wb_sunny 1.1° / 10.1°

air 6.8 km/h

water_drop 72.5%

About Anchorage

Learn more about the host city, Anchorage.

Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska, in the Southcentral region. Anchorage is a cosmopolitan port city with a population of 291 247 (2020). It is a consolidated city-borough referred to as a municipality. The urbanized city is defined by Muldoon Road to the east, Rabbit Creek Road to the south, and Cook Inlet to the north and west. Several small suburbs are within the Municipality of Anchorage while physically outside what most Anchorageites would call the "Anchorage" proper area. These include Eagle River and Chugiak to the north and Girdwood to the south.