2008 Healthy Futures Events

The following events are geared towards kids, and empowering them to stay active and full of life, together with their families. Remember, iIt’s about participation rather than winning, about having fun by keeping active and learning that life experiences through athletics are meaningful and lasting. 

As added incentive, kids who participate in three or more Healthy Futures events by May 31, 2008, become eligible to win one of two sporting equipment packages of their choice – a value of up to $300. A new program begins June 1, 2008. 

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AUGUST 2008

2    Alaska 10K Classic Youth Relay, Alaska Pacific University

A two-person youth relay (5K each), which coincides with the 10K Classic Road Race – a benefit for Special Olympics.  Meet 9:30 a.m., race 10 a.m. Entry fee TBD. www.10kclassic.com

17  Run for Your Life Kids Run, 610 W 6th Ave. (Town Square)

Anchorage Running Club's premier event of the year, formerly known as Humpy’s Marathon, includes a fun untimed 2K run for ages 12 and under. Money raised from this annual event allows the Club to accomplish its mission of promoting healthy lifestyles through running and walking. All participants receive medals and hats.  Meet 7:30 a.m., race 8:10 a.m.  Entry fee $10. Bib pickup and last-chance registration is 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008 at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts.  No race day registration.  www.humpysmarathon.com

SEPTEMBER 2008

2 -30   Tuesday Night Race Series, locations vary

A fall family tradition for both competitive and non-competitive runners.  Three separate courses set each week at unique locations are kept secret until just prior to the start.  Entry fee $2 kids, $5 adults, $10 family.  Pick up a $30 series pass for adults, $60 for the whole family. Schedule and locations will be available online at www.muni.org/parks/tuesday.cfm. Register in advanced at www.active.com or 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. race day.  Anchorage Parks and Recreation 343-4217.

13   Titan Trail Run, Teeland Middle School, Wasilla   

100 yards for ages 4 and under, 1.2 miles for K-6 and a 2.4-mile or 5-mile rugged, single trail track for all.  Meet 10 a.m.  Register on site. Entry fee: $15/$10.  kristi.shea@matsuk12.us.

20-26     Healthy Futures Youth Jamborees, various dates and locations

Cross country running events held at various locations across Anchorage provide a safe and nurturing experience aimed at increasing the confidence and desire of elementary students to experience running again and again.  Pick the closest school, or attend them all!  There is no entry fee.  Register on site.

Saturday, Sept. 20: South Anchorage Cross Country Jamboree

Service High School

Meet 9 a.m., staggered race starts begin at 10 a.m.

rowe_jay@asdk12.org

Thursday, Sept. 25: Beach Lake Cross Country Jamboree

Birchwood Elementary, Chugiak

Meet 4:30 p.m., staggered race starts begin at 5 p.m. 

armstrong_wayne@asdk12.org

Friday, Sept. 26: North Anchorage Cross Country Jamboree

Bartlett High School

Meet 4:30 p.m., staggered race starts begin at 5:30 p.m. 

huling-plzak_deb@asdk12.org

4-25   Fairbanks Running Series, various dates and locations

Thursday, Sept.  4:  Kindergarten - eighth grades, Birch Hill Elementary

Thursday, Sept. 11: Kindergarten - eighth grades, Salcha Elementary

Thursday, Sept. 18: Kindergarten - eighth grades, Birch Hill Elementary

Thursday, Sept. 25: Sixth - eighth grades, Eielson AFB

27   West Homer Orca Invitational Cross Country Meet, West Homer Elementary

School Staggered starts and distances for first through sixth grade students vary by age, Meet at 11 a.m. No entry fee. thoeft@KPBSD.k12.ak.us

27   Huffman Community Family Fun Run, Huffman Elementary School

A fun 3K run/walk on rolling terrain. The first half mile of the race course was

built by hand by a group of Huffman teachers, parents and kids.  Register on site, 9:30 a.m., race 10 a.m. Entry fee $5 or $15 per family. rowe_jay@asdk12.org

OCTOBER 2008

1 -28   Tuesday Night Race Series, locations vary

A fall family tradition for both competitive and non-competitive runners.  Three separate courses set each week at unique locations are kept secret until just prior to the start.  Entry fee $2 kids, $5 adults, $10 family.  Pick up a $30 series pass for adults, $60 for the whole family. Schedule and locations will be available online at www.muni.org/parks/tuesday.cfm. Register in advanced at www.active.com or 5:30 - 6:15 p.m. race day.  Anchorage Parks and Recreation 343-4217.

DECEMBER 2008

21      Candy Cane Ski Race, Fairbanks

2009 Healthy Futures Events

JANUARY 2009

Native Youth Olympics, Riverbend Elementary, Juneau

Buckets O’ Fun: a Festival on Ice

Entertaining and ice skating-related activities include the Munchkin Bucket Challenge and Fire on Ice Finale. Other activities include the free skating, broom ball, figure skating, bikes on ice race, pond hockey puck handling skills relays and live music in the Paddleboat Café. 12:30-3:30 p.m. 343-4260. Free and open to all.

FEBRUARY 2009

Winter Trails Day, Campbell Creek Science Center

REI and the Bureau of Land Management host this free event for families and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. Try snowshoes, classical and skate skis and take part in guided ski clinics and snowshoe outings. View championship sled dog races, take a trip through snow shelter “parade of homes” and a tackle the geocache challenge. There are educational talks on winter wildlife, avalanche awareness, winter camping, and the Iditarod, as well as skijoring and ski waxing demonstrations. 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.  Free and open to the public. 272-4565

Snowball Biathlon, Moose Meadows, Girdwood

A 1K cross-country ski race between three snowball targets designed for kids and adults of all ages. 1-3 p.m. No entry fee, although donations are accepted. B.Y.O.S (Bring your own skis). 783-2544 

Frostbite Footrace & Costumed Fun Run, Downtown Anchorage

Races include the 2.5K Costumed Fun Run and 5K competitive run. Courses run through downtown from the Fifth Avenue Skywalk (between the Egan Center and the Performing Arts Center) to Sixth Avenue and H Streets. Meet 9 a.m., race 9:30 a.m. Entry fee: $25/adults and $10/children. Pre-register at the Imaginarium, 5 - 7:30 p.m., Feb. 21 or 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. day of race (additional $5 per person).  274-1177

Fur Rondy Indoor Track and Field Meet, Dome at Changepoint

Youth of all ages can participate in a variety of track and field events including the 4x100 meter team relay, high jump, 100 and 110 meter
hurdles, shot put, 100, 400 meter and 5000 meter races. Sponsored
by USA Track & Field, AK and UAA, this is a USATF sanctioned event. 
Meet 6 - 9 p.m. Entry fee: $5 for event and each practice. 

oleruns@hotmail.com.

MARCH 2009

Ski 4 Kids, Kincaid Park

A winter festival jam-packed with sports activities to encourage youth to get outside, enjoy winter and stay fit. Meet at 10 a.m. Events kick off at 10:30 a.m. with a timed 3K ski race, followed by an obstacle course, snowshoe and skijoring clinics, a slingshot biathlon and orienteering ski course. The entry fee is a donation. Proceeds go to fund skiing equipment and gear for the Anchorage Parks & Recreation Ski Outreach Program. Register in advance at REI (1200 W. Northern Lights Blvd.) 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2007, or 4 - 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008. Bib pickup and late day registration is available 9 - 10 a.m. the day of the event, although same day registrants may not be timed.    www.anchoragenordicski.com

Galena Spring Carnival, Galena

Toddlers, young children, youth and teens participate in many events including the snowshoe race, ski race, dog race, egg toss, money scramble, ice picking contest, and the snow-machine race.  Date and details are tentative.

APRIL 2008

Glacier 10K & Mile Run, Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center, Juneau

A 1-mile or 10K flat and fast run. Entry fee is $15/adults and $5/18 and under ($18/$8 race day). Meet 9 a.m.; race time 10 a.m. for mile run and 10:30 a.m. for 10K. 790-4544

Beat Beethoven 5K, UAF Paddy Center, Fairbanks

The joyous strains of Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, recorded by the Arctic Chamber Orchestra, will be heard as 500 runners vie to beat Beethoven, a.k.a Steve Bainbridge, in a 5K race to finish before the final note is played. Anyone who succeeds earns a free ticket to a Fairbanks Symphony Association or Arctic Chamber Orchestra concert of their choice. Entry fee of $20 includes a t-shirt. Late registration is $25; day of registration $35. www.fairbankssymphony.org.  474-5407
Registration Form

Heart Run, University of Alaska Anchorage Arts Building
Athlete’s young and old, of all abilities, take stride during 5K competitive and non-competitive runs and the 3K Heart Lite event. As the largest foot race in Alaska, the Heart Run remains a fun family day uniting serious runners and casual walkers in the fight against heart disease and stroke. Anchorage School District students, faculty and staff, parents and relatives are encouraged to join their Heart Run school team. Meet at 9 a.m. Competitive race begins at 9:30 a.m. Non-competitive and un-timed runs begin at 10 a.m. Entry fees: 3 and 5K entry fee: $20 adults, $10 ages 14 and under. $45 for immediate family. $5 chip fee per person. www.heartrun.com. 

MAY 2009

Alaska Zoo Kids Fun Run, Alaska Zoo

Kids age three to 10 sprint past tigers, elephants and bears on an easy course that weaves through the Alaska Zoo’s 25 wooded acres, varying in length from the 100-yard Fox Trot to the 1K Caribou Cruise. Sponsored by Alaska McDonalds, the Alaska Zoo is staging this fun, healthy, family event to encourage young children to get out and get active. Meet at 9 a.m., race 10 a.m. $10 entry fee includes free admission for participants and family between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Register online at www.alaskazoo.org. 346-2133. 

Salmon Run, Inlet View Elementary

A 2K, 5K and 10K fun run/walk down N Street, out and back on the Coastal Trail, geared for families and individuals of all ages and running abilities. Meet 9:30 a.m., race 10 a.m. Entry fee $15. 317-8811

Skinny Raven KidzMile, Wendler Middle School
Run as Fast as You Can at Kidzmile, a 1-mile timed track run for ages 18 and under. Kids can stop by any time between 3:30 – 7 p.m., and run, hop, skip or jump as often and as fast as they can in timed heats that go every 15-20 minutes. Entry fee: $5. crusher@gci.net

Bear Valley 5K Challenge, Bear Valley Elementary

Bring the entire family out for a 5K run set on a unique course, which begins on a soccer field, follows a steep road in the mountains above Anchorage, down through a neighborhood, on dirt roads, through the woods, over a creek and back to the finish line in the school hockey rink.  It's a more challenging course, but because of its uniqueness families and kids love it! Meet at 8:30 a.m., race time 10 a.m. Entry fee: $9 adults, $6 youth through high school. Bear Valley Community Association 345-0434. 

Gold Nugget Triathlon, Bartlett High School

Mothers, aunts, big sisters, friends and other female athletic role models enjoy the thrill and accomplishment of completing a triathlon. Designed for both the beginner and the experienced athlete, the triathlon consists of a 500-yard swim, 10-mile bike ride and 4.1-mile run. A special Mother/Daughter division introduces young woman to the healthy benefits of moderate exercise, regardless of age or ability. See first hand why this triathlon is so beautiful. Meet 8 a.m., first wave starts at 9 a.m. Entry fee: $52. Register online at www.goldnuggettriathlon.com beginning in April. 

JUNE 2009

Eagle River Triathlon, Chugiak High School

The adult race consists of 500-yard swim in Chugiak pool, a 12.2-mile bike ride and a 3.1-mile run.  The youth race begins when the last adult has exited the pool, and is not timed.  This is a great event for first-time participants in two age categories – ages six to nine and ages 10 to 12. The 10 to 12 year olds will swim 100 yards, bike four miles and run one mile.  Ages six to nine will swim 50 yards, bike four miles and run .5 miles.  Kids may accept assistance from parents and other helpers to ensure they have a good time.  Adults check in at 7 a.m.; youth check in at 12:30 p.m. Register Thursday, June 5 at Skinny Raven Sports (5-7 p.m.)  or  the Chugiak High School parking lot on Saturday, June 7 (3-5 p.m.) www.eaglerivertri.com. 

13   Alaska Run for Women

This unique and special 8K event, which raises funds for and awareness of breast cancer research and education, is designed for runners and walkers of all ages.  100 percent of entry fee donations go towards research & education, which have accumulated to more than $2.2 million since the event’s inception.  Meet 8 a.m., race 9 a.m.  Register online at www.akrfw.org or in person at University Center Mall, 4 - 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 10 or Thursday, June 12, 2008.  No race day registration.  

20   Mayor’s Midnight Sun Youth Cup, West High School

Children age seven to 14 years compete in Alaska’s largest marathon.  The 1.7-mile course loops around Westchester Lagoon and finishes with the other events at West High School during summer solstice.  Race 9:05 a.m.  Entry fee: $10 before June 18; $15 after.  Register online at www.mayorsmarathon.com by June 18, or in person at the Sheraton Hotel, 6 - 9 p.m., Thursday, June 19 or 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Friday, June 20, 2008.   www.mayorsmarathon.com

JULY 2009

Arctic Valley Trail Munchkin Run, Alpenglow Ski Area, mile 7 Arctic Valley Road

Alaska youth will be hot on the heals of elite and novice mountain runners during this 6th annual event. Four races include a fun Munchkin trail run, designed to encourage kids to sample the thrilling sport of mountain running, and a 3K junior race for 16 and under. Pack a lunch and enjoy a family picnic after the race. Arctic valley is beautiful this time of year. 264-7427.