RunFest brings two days of racing to downtown Anchorage

It’s Anchorage RunFest week, a three-day weekend that culminates Sunday with four races ranging in distance from 5 kilometers to 49 kilometers.

A health and fitness expo will be held Friday and Saturday at the Dena’ina Center, where runners can register for races or pick up their bibs. Races are set for Saturday and Sunday near Town Square.

This year’s guests include Marko Cheseto, Jeff Galloway and Bart Yasso. All three will speak at Saturday afternoon’s pasta feed at the Dena’ina Center and will appear at other events as well.

Cheseto is the former UAA All-America runner who became one of the world’s top double-amputee runners after he lost both feet to frostbite; Galloway is a 1972 Olympian and a well-known author and coach; Yasso is an author best known for his work with Runner’s World.

Cheseto, who lives in Florida, recorded the world’s fastest marathon time by a double amputee last spring in Boston, but he isn’t racing Sunday — he has to leave Saturday night. But he’ll be at the Health and Fitness Expo on Friday and Saturday at the Dena’ina Center.

Galloway, who lives in Atlanta, is back for his 10th straight RunFest and will conduct a clinic Saturday afternoon. On Friday and Saturday mornings, everyone is welcome to join him and Yasso for a run/walk beginning at 7:30 each day; the group will meet at the Hotel Captain Cook lobby.

Races begin Saturday with the Anchorage Mile and a 2K race for kids. On Sunday, there’s a 49K, a marathon, a half marathon and a 5K. Last year, records were set in both marathons and in the men’s ultra marathon.

All races begin and end downtown near Town Square. Registration and bib pickup is Friday and Saturday at the Dena’ina Center; there is no race-day registration or bib pickup.

RunFest schedule

Friday

Run/walk with Jeff Galloway and Bart Yasso — 7:30 a.m., Hotel Captain Cook lobby

Health and Fitness Expo and bib pickup — Dena’ina Center, 3-7 p.m.

Saturday

Run/walk with Jeff Galloway and Bart Yasso — 7:30 a.m., Hotel Captain Cook lobby

Health and Fitness Expo and bib pickup — Dena’ina Center, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Children’s Hospital at Providence Kid’s 2K Run — 10 a.m., Delaney Park Strip (near 9th Avenue and G Street)

Family Health & Safety Day — 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Delaney Park Strip

The Anchorage Mile — 11 a.m., Delaney Park Strip (10th and H)

The Military Mile — 11:40 a.m., Delaney Park Strip (10th and H)

Pasta feed — 12:30-2:30 p.m., Dena’ina Center ($12 at the door)

Jeff Galloway Running School — 2-5 p.m., Dena’Ina Center ($99 registration fee)

Sunday

United Physical Therapy 49K Ultra — 8 a.m. start

Humpy’s Marathon Walk — 8 a.m. start

Humpy’s Marathon — 8:30 a.m. start

Skinny Raven Half Marathon — 8:45 a.m. start

Spenard Roadhouse 5K — 9:15 a.m. start