Equinox Ultra Marathon

The Equinox Ultra Marathon is an annual marathon held in Fairbanks, Alaska near the time of the autumnal equinox. It is one of the most difficult marathon courses in the world and includes 3285 ft. (1001 m) of elevation gain (and loss). The Ultra Marathon was started in 2009.

The ultramarathon event was added in 2009. In 2009 and 2010 the course was 50 km in length, following the marathon course until just past mile 25, then turning north to follow the Skarland Trail in a clockwise direction until connecting with the regular marathon course just past mile 2. From there the course returned to the start by following the marathon course in reverse direction.In 2011 the course was extended to create a true ultra event of approximately 40 miles in length. The course follows the marathon course for the first 20 miles to Henderson Road. It then descends following St. Patrick's Road, regaining the marathon course at the base of Ester Dome at approximately mile 9. The course then follows the marathon course in reverse to approximately mile 3.5, from where it diverges in an out-and-back to the east climbing to the KUAC radio tower and back. The course then resumes following the marathon course in reverse until approximately mile 2, from where the course then follows the Skarland Trail in counter-clockwise direction until it regains the marathon course just past mile 25. It then follows the marathon course to the finish.

There are nine feed stations on the marathon course. 1 - Mile 2.5 - at the intersection of Ballaine Road and Yankovich Road 2 - Mile 5.5 - at the intersection of Yankovich Road, Miller Hill Road and Lawlor Road 3 - Mile 9 - at the intersection of Ester Dome Road and St. Patrick Road (where the climb of Ester Dome starts) 4 - Mile 11.1 - on Ester Dome Road at the north/upper end of Henderson Road 5 - Mile 12.4 - at Ullrhavn Summit, where the "Out-and-Back" section begins 6 - Mile 14.75 - at the Turnaround on the "Out-and-Back" 7 - Mile 17.1 - at Ullrhavn Summit, just before plummeting down the Chute 8 - Mile 19.8 - on Henderson Road at the pullout just below the mine; this feed station was formerly located on the pavement below the 20-mile sign, but has been moved up the hill a fraction of a mile so that it can provide service to the Ultramarathon runners as well as Marathon runners (the Ultra course turns left on St. Patrick Road just past the 20-mile mark) 9 - Mile 22.8 - on the east end of the powerline segment where it joins Gold Hill Road 9 - Finish - Full service support at the finish will continue through 4:00PM; reduced services are available after 6:00PM The first eight feed stations also serve participants in the Ultramarathon. There will be additional feed stations on the portions of the Ultramarathon after it diverges from the Marathon course just past the 20 mile mark.

The first three men and the first three women in the ultramarathon will receive special awards