Cirque Series - Alyeska, AK

Cirque Series Alyeska : July 25, 2026

The event is a mountain trail race in Alyeska, AK. It is a single-course race of 6.1 miles with 3,912 feet of vertical gain that begins near sea level at the DayLodge area and returns there at the finish. The route moves onto the Tanaka Cat Service Road, through the lower bowl to the Silvertip single track mountain bike trail, then up a steep scramble on Center Ridge to Teacup Bowl and across to the Headwall near 3,800 feet. The Headwall ridge section includes short up and down bursts and a gradual downgrade to about 3,300 feet at the weather station.

The descent follows loose rock and mountain heather into Max’s Mountain trail, dropping through hemlock and spruce with moss covered fallen trees and loamy soil. The Max’s down-climb is steep and runners are expected to use surrounding trees for support. The course is the most direct route to the high alpine and may be adjusted as necessary.

Safety and logistics notes include clearly marked flagging, course marshal directions, and instructions for rock hazards including audible warnings. Every competitor must inspect Center Ridge prior to race day and a strict cut-off of 50 minutes applies at the beginning of Center Ridge. The race is capped at 600 runners. Typical registration mix is approximately 58% Sport, 36% Expert, and 6% Pro. Each competitor receives a branded hat, bib, medal, giveaway ticket, sponsor swag bag, and free professional photos. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.