TRAILS: Runners will have 4 hours to complete 3 separate loops on the Crevasse Moraine trail system. There will be a 5 mile, 3 mile, and 1 mile loop. At bib pick up, each runner will spin the wheel to determine the order of their loops. At the halfway point of each loop, runners must find a hidden book and tear out the page that matches their bib number (Barkley style) and return their page to the RD at the completion of that loop. The first M/F runners to complete all 3 loops and turn in their 3 pages will be the winner.
NOG: After runners have finished their trail loops they can participate in the valley's first Nog Mile (like a Beer Mile but more festive). Runners will drink their first glass (8oz) of eggnog at the start line pavilion then run a 1/4 mile before returning to the pavilion for their next glass. Fastest M/F runners to complete 4 loops (1 mile) without throwing up will be the winner. Eggnog will be provided but donations are appreciated. Please email us if you plan to bring some to share.
There are three options for registering. Runners can sign up for both the Trails & Nog Mile, Trails ONLY, or Nog Mile ONLY.
TRAILS: The trail race will begin at 10:00am from the pavilion at Crevasse Moraine. Runners must complete all loops by 2:00pm.
NOG: The Nog Mile will begin at 2:00pm from the pavilion at Crevasse Moraine.
TRAILS: 9:00-9:30am at the pavilion
NOG: 1:00-1:30pm at the pavilion
Awards will be given to the top M/F winners of each race.
Every runner will receive a custom First Howl gift upon completion of their race.
Parking is limited at Crevasse Moraine so please think about carpooling and parking in a manner to fit the most cars in the parking lot. Additional parking can be on the street but please use common sense.
With the race being on the first of the year, a 2026 MatSu Borough parking permit will be required. Please plan ahead to order one online or use the kiosk in the parking lot for a day use permit.
Jan 01, 2026
Distance — 5K
Type — Running
-246 days remaining
Jan 01, 2026
Distance — 15K
Type — Running
-246 days remaining
Jan 01, 2026
Distance — 20K
Type — Running
-246 days remaining
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for January in Palmer.
Learn more about the host city, Palmer.
Palmer is a city of 7,500 people (2019) 42 miles northeast of Anchorage on the Glenn Highway in Southcentral Alaska.
Read more launchOfficial finishing times from previous editions of The First Howl: Trails & Nog.
| Place | Name | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Zachary Cheyette | — | |
| 🥈 | Pete Harrison | — | |
| 🥉 | Joshua Taylor | — | |
| 4 | Joe Davis | — | |
| 5 | Kristin Wetzel | — | |
| 6 | Corey O’Meara | — | |
| 7 | Natalie King | — | |
| 8 | Olivia Route | — | |
| 9 | Christopher Quail | — | |
| 10 | Willow Drorbaugh | — | |
| 11 | Rachel Gernat | — | |
| 12 | Blake Visser | — | |
| 13 | Lisa Nguyen | — | |
| 14 | Michael Don | — | |
| 15 | Teri Buck | — | |
| 16 | Carol Halvorson | — | |
| 17 | Melissa Bartlett | — | |
| 18 | Amy Bushatz | — | |
| 19 | Devon Johnson | — | |
| 20 | Robbie Southards | — | |
| 21 | Nicole Dowd | — | |
| 22 | Maxwell Mingo | — | |
| 23 | Coleman Ahrens | — | |
| 24 | Hannah Otten | — | |
| 25 | Mark Snyder | — | |
| 26 | Jefferson Jensen | — | |
| 27 | Wendy Bills | — | |
| 28 | Angie Riley | — | |
| 29 | Keanna Gross | — | |
| 30 | Doreena Schuster | — | |
| 31 | John Combs | — | |
| 32 | Natalie Bickers | — | |
| 33 | Nikki Bull | — | |
| 34 | Kyle Ribeiro | — | |
| 35 | Rick Weaver | — | |
| 36 | Anja Cheyette | — | |
| 37 | Michele Harmeling | — | |
| 38 | Bethany Lafond | — | |
| 39 | Tasha Weaver | — | |
| 40 | Joan Nelson | — | |
| 41 | Krystal Mitchell | — |
Read what other athletes have to say about their experience at the The First Howl: Trails & Nog.
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