Tour of Anchorage
Save the Date: March 7, 2021
What a fantastic race!!
Thank you to all the amazing volunteers who put this race together and congratulations to all the finishers!
Missed the awards party?
Come into the NSAA Office to pick up your medal!
Thank you to all our photographers!
- Photos by Jen Aist
- Photos by Andy Romang
- Photos by Michael Dinneen password: 2020TOA
The Tour of Anchorage is one of the few point-to-point cross-country ski marathons in North America. There are 4 race events: 25k freestyle, 25k classic, 40k freestyle, and 50k freestyle. In each, participants range from elite ski racers to recreational skiers challenging themselves to finish.
Beginning in 2019, the Tour of Anchorage also became home to the Fat Bike Tour of Anchorage with three events: 50k, 40k and now 25k. The fat bike race is the only marathon in the U.S. that features skiers and bikers on the same course on the same day!
The 40k and 50k races start on the east side of Anchorage and traverse the city along ski and multi-use trails. Tunnels, bridges and greenbelts make it possible to ski from one end of town to the other without crossing a single road. The 25k starts in midtown (APU) and joins the 50k and 40k courses. All races finish next to the Kincaid Park Chalet on the westernmost end of the city near the coastline of Cook Inlet. Transportation back to start locations are provided by shuttle bus.
Come for the race and stay for the party. Enjoy the scenic beer garden at the finish line!
Tour Double
Finish any combination of 1 ski race AND 1 bike race back-to-back and receive a special award — plus a reduced entry fee!
Doublers pay full price for the first race and just $50 for the second. Select the Tour Double option at online registration. If you decide to double after having signed up for just one event, simply email the NSAA at admin@anchoragenordicski.com to add the second event.
Before signing up, Doublers should make sure they are physically capable of finishing both events and have enough time (and their own transportation) to get from Kincaid back to Service HS for their bike start.
NOTE: If you are going to miss your bike start for the double, you may NOT start late (it’s a safety issue for the sweep). However, you may switch your entry to a later bike race (if you miss the 50K, you can switch to the 40K or 25K; if you miss the 40K, you can switch to the 25K).
Fees
| Registration Deadlines | ||
| Adult Pricing: | NSAA Member | Non-Member |
| By 1/12/2020 @11:59 p.m. | $75 | $85 |
| By 3/4/2020 @12 p.m. | $85 | $95 |
|
At Bib Pickup @ APU Thursday, March 5, 2020 from 3-7 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2020 from 3-7 p.m. |
$100 | $110 |
| Student Pricing: 13-18 years old | $50 | $50 |
| Youth Pricing: 0-12 years old | $35 | $35 |
| Tour Double: Ski and Bike | First Race: full price as shown above | Second Race: $50 |
No refunds will be given for any reason, including race cancellation. All of the funds from the race go to NSAA for all of their community work, including trail work, grooming, and a variety of other activities that benefit trail users and skiers. Putting on the race involves many costs, many of which are not recovered if the race is canceled. Refunding entry fees is not done by any other American Ski Marathon race including those in Alaska.
NOTE ABOUT AGE ON APPLICATION: The age groupings for skiing are listed as a skier’s age as of December 31 in that ski season. So, if a skier has a birthday on January 11, 2020 and turns 56, their age for the 2020 race is 55. This is done so skiers are a constant age throughout the ski season. Also, you must be 18 years old by 12/31/19 to race the 50k.
- General Start Wave Info : Registration list, Wave Assignments, Pace Times
- 50k Freestyle
- 40k Freestyle
- 25k Classic
- 25k Freestyle
- 50k Fat Bike
- 40k Fat Bike
- 25k Fat Bike
- Current List of Registrants (complete)– TOA20 entries sort by name
- Wave and Bib Assignments (complete)– TOA20 entries sort class, wave, bib
- Alphabetic list of ALL tabulated PACE times – ALL races PACE times 3-4-20
- Alphabetic list of last 3 years PACE times – 2017-2020 races PACE times 3-4-20
- Rank Order of Freestyle pace times – RANK freestyle PACE times 3-4-20
- Rank Order of Classic pace times – RANK classic PACE times 3-4-20
Our goal is to make the Tour of Anchorage safe and satisfying for as many skiers as possible.
Read the details about seeding racers here: Seeding Racers.
Ski & Fat Bike Overlap
The start times are designed to limit overlap with skiers while giving bikers adequate time to finish before dark. We anticipate minimal overlap between bikers and skiers. In 2018, only 15 skiers, almost all from the 25k freestyle race, remained on course at 3:45 p.m. This is when the first bikers are expected on the final stages of the course.
Start Time: 9:30 – 9:40 a.m.
Start Wave: Waves 1 to 6
Start: Service High School – 5577 Abbott Road
- Parking: There is plenty of parking at the high school.
- Service warmup area, bathrooms: porta-potties and the Little Gym will be available.
- The start will be in the Service field by the Little Gym.
Finish: at Kincaid Park Google Map
- Hot food, refreshments and beverages including a beer garden will be available at the finish chalet.
Start Time: 10:30 – 10:40 a.m.
Start Wave: Waves 7 to 12
Start Location: Service High School – 5577 Abbott Road
- Parking: There is plenty of parking at the high school.
- Service warmup area, bathrooms: porta-potties and the Little Gym will be available.
- The start will be in the Service field by the Little Gym.
Finish: at Kincaid Park Google Map
- Hot food, refreshments and beverages including a beer garden will be available at the finish chalet.
Start Time: 11:00 – 11:06am
Start Wave: Waves 13 to 16
Start Location: at Alaska Pacific University (APU) – 4400 University Drive
- Parking: At the Atwood Building and the Spine Institute.
- APU warmup area, bathrooms: The Moseley Center will be available.
- Walk to APU Start: From the Moseley Center it is a 10-minute walk down the hill to the start area at the northeast end of University Lake. Google Map
Finish: at Kincaid Park Google Map
- Hot food, refreshments and beverages including a beer garden will be available at the finish chalet.
Start Time: 12:00 – 12:14pm
Start Wave: Waves 17 to 24
Start Location: Alaska Pacific University (APU) – 4400 University Drive
- Parking: At the Atwood Building and the Spine Institute.
- APU warmup area, bathrooms: The Moseley Center will be available.
- Walk to APU Start: From the Moseley Center it is a 10-minute walk down the hill to the start area at the northeast end of University Lake. Google Map
Finish: at Kincaid Park Google Map
- Hot food, refreshments and beverages including a beer garden will be available at the finish chalet.
Start Time: The 50K mass start will begin behind Service High School at 2 p.m. It includes the challenging Spencer Loop near the start and part of the Sisson Loop near the finish. Both of these trails, along with short sections of the Hillside Lighted Loop and Mize Trail, are open to fat bike racers only on March 8 during the race and otherwise closed to bikes. The race ends outside the Kincaid Park Chalet.
Start Location: Service High School 5577 Abbott Road
- Parking: There is plenty of parking at the high school.
- Service warmup area, bathrooms: porta-potties and the Little Gym will be available.
- The start will be in the Service field by the Little Gym.
Finish: at Kincaid Park Google Map
- Hot food, refreshments and beverages including a beer garden will be available at the finish chalet.
Start Time: The 40K mass start will begin behind Service High School at 3 p.m. It skips the Spencer Loop but includes part of the Sisson Loop near the finish. The Sisson Loop, along with short sections of the Hillside Lighted Loop and Mize Trail, are open to fat bike racers only on March 8 during the race and otherwise closed to bikes. The race ends outside the Kincaid Park Chalet.
Start Location: Service High School 5577 Abbott Road
- Parking: There is plenty of parking at the high school.
- Service warmup area, bathrooms: Porta-potties and the Little Gym will be available.
- The start will be in the Service field by the Little Gym.
Finish: at Kincaid Park Google Map
- Hot food, refreshments and beverages including a beer garden will be available at the finish chalet.
Start Time: The 25K mass start will begin at Alaska Pacific University near the Moseley Center at 4 p.m. It will follow the ski course until the turnoff at the Sisson Trail, where it will instead continue STRAIGHT on the Coastal Trail multi-use all the way to the finish outside the Kincaid Park Chalet.
Start Location: at Alaska Pacific University (APU) – 4400 University Drive
- Parking: At the Atwood Building and the Spine Institute.
- Warmup area, bathrooms: The Moseley Center will be available.
- Walk to APU Start: From the Moseley Center it is a 10-minute walk down the hill to the start area at the northeast end of University Lake. Google Map
Finish: at Kincaid Park Google Map
- Hot food, refreshments and beverages including a beer garden will be available at the finish chalet.
Race Bib Pick Up
When: Thursday, March 5, 2020, 3-7 p.m. and Friday, March 6, 2020, 3–7 p.m.
Where: APU Moseley Center, 4400 University Dr.
Everyone should pick up their bib (or have someone get it for you) BEFORE race day.
If that is not possible, ski bibs can be picked up on race day beginning at 8 a.m. at Service High School for the 50K/40K, and beginning at 9:30 a.m. at APU Moseley Center for the 25K.
If necessary, bike bibs can be picked up on race day beginning at 12:45 p.m. at Service High School and 2:45 p.m. at APU.
Course Maps
Note: As long as snow depths and conditions allow, classic tracks will be set for the entire 50-kilometer course (except in a few short sections).
Race Officials reserve the right to alter the course due to safety concerns or weather conditions.
25K Start – Alaska Pacific University (APU)
40K & 50K Start – Service High School
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Ski Course Sections – Detailed |
Fat Bike Course Sections – Detailed |
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| Download Tour of Anchorage Overview Ski Map – PDF | Download Tour of Anchorage Overview Fat Bike Map – PDF |
- Helmets are required.
- A minimum tire width of 3.7 inches is required (unless officials notify bikers otherwise due to extenuating circumstances). There is no maximum or minimum tire pressure. Adjust PSI appropriate for the trail conditions.
- A noisemaker such as a bell to alert other trail users of your approach is strongly recommended.
- Pass skiers and other trail users in single file whenever possible.
- Avoid riding in the classic ski tracks.
- The winner is determined by the first front wheel to cross the finish line.
- Be equipped with lights if there is a chance you will finish in the dark.
There is only one division: Open.
Awards will be given for Top 3 overall and age groups: 29&under, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+ years old.
- 50K: Cash Prizes for Top 3 men and women overall ($250/$150/$100) and award for each group winner (Top 3 not eligible for age group awards).
- 40K: Awards for Top 3 (no cash) and award for each group winner (Top 3 not eligible for age group awards).
- 25K: Awards for Top 3 (no cash) and award for each group winner (Top 3 not eligible for age group awards).
- Tour Double: 50K ski/50K bike: $150 award for male and female with fastest combined times; medals for all who complete a ski/bike double regardless of distance.
Need fast skis for the Tour but don’t have the time or energy to wax them yourself?
Don’t fret — the Dimond High School Nordic Ski Team will be waxing skis on Saturday, March 7, in the Kincaid Bunker. They will accept skis for drop-off from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is no set fee. Skiers are asked to contribute a donation with proceeds benefiting the Dimond ski program.
There will be a vehicle at the start of all races to transport a bag with dry clothing to the end of the race at Kincaid Park. We encourage you to bring a backpack or duffle bag with your name on it so it is easier to spot at Kincaid. For the 25K start at APU, the vehicle will be outside the Moseley Sports Center. There will be no way to get your gear back to the van from the start area, so be sure to leave your bag with the van before coming down the hill. Also, shuttle buses will be available at Kincaid Park to transport skiers back to the start of each race (APU Moseley and Service HS). These buses will leave at 30 minute intervals.
Catch a free shuttle bus with Premier Alaska Tours back from Kincaid Chalet to APU Moseley and Service HS.
- Buses will run every 30 minutes starting at 1:00 pm
- Buses to APU will run until 4:30 pm
- Buses to Service will run until 4:30 pm
- The Kincaid Gate will be open at 9:00 am
There will be seven feed stations for the 2020 ski race and three for the fat-bike race:
- Hillside/Double Bubble (11.1K into the 50k race)
- Campbell Airstrip (18.5K)
- Ambassador Drive (22.7K) – Also, Bike Feed #1
- Lake Otis (27.5K)
- Westchester Lagoon (32.4K) – Also, Bike Feed #2
- Postmark Drive (37.3K)
- Clitheroe Center (42.3K) – Also, Bike Feed #3
They will be serving bananas, oranges, gummies, cookies, fig bars, M&Ms and salt snacks, as well as water and a warm sports drink (Skratch Lab Orange and Apple). Feed stations are staffed by high school sports teams, local companies, and community group volunteers. Give them a big thank you as you pass through. Free hot food and drinks will also be in the Kincaid Chalet at the finish!
Thank you to the 2020 feed station hosts and supporters:
- The Boy Scouts- Troop 214
- The Boy Scouts- Troop 190
- Bartlett Ski Team
- Chugiak Ski Team
- Dimond Ski Team
- Eagle River Ski Team
- East Ski Team
- Service Seminar
- Service X-C Running Team
- South Ski Team
- West Ski Team
- Trek Bicycle Store of Anchorage
- Alaska Speedskating Club
Merchandise – New This Year!
We are partnering with Fine Designs for apparel this year! Customize your Tour of Anchorage merchandise with our awesome new logo. Shop now, or find them at bib pickup or on race day!
Awards & Post Race Party
Awards will be handed out during the Post Race Party from
5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday March 9 at Elite Sports Performance, 801 E. 82nd Ave. in Anchorage!
Ski Awards:
50K: 1st Place male and female — $1,000 + round trip ticket with Alaska Airlines
2nd Place male and female — $400
3rd Place male and female — $200
– Award for each age group winner (Top 3 overall not eligible for age group awards)
Note: Cash awards may not be given if the race is shortened
40K: Awards for Top 3 overall (not cash) and award for each age group winner (Top 3 not eligible for age group awards)
25K: Awards for Top 3 overall (not cash) and award for each age group winner (Top 3 not eligible for age group awards)
Bike Awards:
50K: 1st Place male and female — $250
2nd Place male and female — $150
3rd Place male and female — $100
– Award for each age group winner (Top 3 overall not eligible for age group awards)
40K: Awards for Top 3 overall (not cash) and award for each group winner (Top 3 not eligible for age group awards)
25K: Awards for Top 3 overall (not cash) and award for each group winner (Top 3 not eligible for age group awards)
Tour Double:
50K ski/50K bike: $150 award for male and female with fastest combined times
— Medals for all who complete a ski/bike double regardless of distance.
Door Prizes! Must be present to win!
Sponsors
Be a part of the greatest cross country ski/bike marathon in North America! Multiple sponsorship levels are available so you can find the best fit for your business. Email Sara at program@anchoragenordicski.com to discuss opportunities today!
Thank you to our generous 2020 Sponsors!
Thank you to Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol for support on the trail!
Learn more about the Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol at: https://www.anchoragenordic.com.
Contacts
Questions or comments about the Tour of Anchorage?
| Race Director | Matias Saari | tourofanchorage@gmail.com |
| Registration (Pre-Race) | Gail Skurla | admin@anchoragenordicski.com |
| Race & Course | Matias Saari | tourofanchorage@gmail.com |
| Registration Changes | Bob Stehn | bob.stehn@gmail.com |