Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Alaskan wilderness at the Denali50K, set for June 21, 2026, in Cantwell, AK. This challenging 50K (31-mile) ultra takes runners along the historic Denali Highway, a gravel road celebrated by National Geographic as one of North America's top ten most scenic routes. Starting at Maclaren Summit, the third highest road pass in the Alaska highway system, the course descends northwestward, offering breathtaking panoramic vistas of the 20,310-foot Denali and the surrounding Alaska Range mountains and glaciers. Runners will navigate a course rich with geological wonders like Thermokarst, Eskers, and Kettle lakes, remnants of ancient Ice Age glaciers, experiencing approximately 1,500 feet of moderate elevation gain.

The Denali50K promises a truly unique "big, wild, and wide open" Alaskan adventure. As a newer addition to the esteemed Denali Ultras series, this race limits participation to just 50 runners, ensuring an intimate and immersive experience under nearly 20 hours of arctic daylight on the summer solstice. Runners require a qualifying background of at least three marathons, including one trail marathon, in the preceding two years to tackle this remote course. Typical race day conditions in late June bring comfortable highs around 66°F and lows around 43°F, with only a 13% chance of precipitation, creating ideal running weather for this grand expedition.

The course features a single aid station at Mile 18, located at Clearwater Creek Wayside, where runners can utilize drop bags or rely on pre-arranged crew support, as cell service is limited along much of the highway. Finishers are welcomed at the Alpine Creek Lodge with a well-deserved burger and beer, and will receive a one-of-a-kind handmade Alaskan finishers medal and shirt. Esteemed ultrarunner Pete Kostelnick lauded the Denali Highway's "unbeatable beauty" and described the race as "a unique and beautiful adventure…..Perhaps one of the last untouched jems out there.” A portion of each registration fee contributes to the Denali Education Center, further connecting participants to the preservation of this incredible landscape.