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6 • April 2016 • COAST • www.coast-magazine.com ARPIL Anchorage Mayor’s Marathon Kachemak Bay birding Boating season beckons Anchorage Mayor’s Marathon: There; say it. The succinct new name for the city’s most longstanding marathon (once known as the Mayor’s Midnight Sun Marathon) is getting ready for the masses who will be here soon to test their skills in the marathon, half mara- thon, team marathon and 5K race – among others. “We are extremely honored and excited to be able to update the name and brand of the race,” said Dustin Morris, general manager for University of Alaska Anchorage’s Seawolves athletics depart- ment, which organizes the race. “The name change allows us to brand ourselves more succinctly as the city’s marathon. It also eliminates the frequently asked questions of, ‘do you really run at midnight?’ We are focused on embodying the new name and being known as the Anchorage Marathon, and dedicated to continuing our legacy as a global event and destination race of the highest caliber.” This year’s Anchorage Marathon is set for June 18, but there are several days of activity leading up to the races. New last year was the Alaska Health & Fitness Expo, which UAA hosted at the university’s new Alaska Airlines Center. The Expo gave visitors and locals alike a chance to learn about healthy options in food, exercise and recre- ation, and featured Olympic athletes such as Kikkan Randall and Holly Brooks, as well as UAA standouts such as world-class jumper David Registe and UAA’s cross-country running team. “The Expo, presented by Providence Alaska Medical Center, was a success by all accounts,” Morris said. “We hosted roughly 10,000 people over a two-day period with little to no marketing budget. I think our biggest achievement was rallying the community to spread the word and get behind the effort. We had more than 40 exhibits including a farmer’s market and, of course, our free kid run.” Morris said this year’s Expo is expanding to the main arena of the Alaska Airlines Center, and will increase the exhibit space by nearly 50 percent. “We want everyone to feel welcome,” he said. “This is a com- munity event with something to offer anyone looking to improve, enhance, learn and implement healthy living concepts into their lives, no matter what age or fitness level.” It’s not too late to sign up for any one of the Anchorage Marathon events, including a Kids Mile, which is supported by Healthy Futures Alaska and is a perennial hit. “There is an event for everyone,” Morris said. “The Healthy Future Kids Mile is a free fun run for youth. We encourage kids of all ages and every level of experience to come and run. … New this year is the Coastal 5K. In years past we had a four-mile run, but time has proven it was necessary to offer something different. There really is something for everyone.” For more details, go to the new website, www.anchoragemarathon. com. — Melissa DeVaughn COURTESY HARLOW ROBINSON/HEALTHY FUTURES Healthy Hero David Registe hands out medals at the Healthy Futures Kids Mile on June 18, 2015, outside the Alaska Airlines Center. This year’s Kids Mile is scheduled for June 16, at the center. The event is free. Different name, same marathon