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In spacious solidarity, we're getting creative with our annual Kasilof-Kenai beach race so we can keep everyone safely distanced. During the month of May, racers will be able to take to the beach for a 10 mile run or fat-bike, or a 3 mile run, post their times to our virtual race director, and receive prizes! Stay tuned for details about this year's virtual race, updated registration, race-wear collection, and more!

Never done a virtual race? Here's how it works:

Step 1. Run or bike anytime in the month of May. Race categories: 3 mile run, 10 mile run, or 10 mile fat-bike. You can submit multiple times in multiple categories for a $5 fee per additional time on top of single registration. Each $5 Additional Entry gets you another ticket into the prize raffle, another chance to best your time, another opportunity to mix it up between biking and running, and another warm fuzzy feeling knowing that the proceeds go to a great cause!

Step 2. Record your time via GPS app (Strava, Garmin, Apple Health, etc.) during your run/bike and submit it as a screenshot via email to wildrunandride@gmail.com within 48 hours of your run/bike. Raven Earth & Glass Works is making beautiful "winners cups" (stemless wine glasses etched with our new Inletkeeper 25th Anniversary artwork), so we encourage friendly competition as you vie amongst other racers for the best times!

A leaderboard will be posted on inletkeeper.org/m2m, updated as times from registered entrants are submitted. Top 3 times in each category receive etched glasses, so there may be some that decide to go out, run/bike again, and post new times to try to reclaim a top 3 spot.

Step 3. Pick up your race swag and prizes starting June 4th at the Cook Inletkeeper Community Action Studio in Soldotna (35911 Kenai Spur Hwy, Unit 13). Please note, racer bandanas/facemasks have not arrived yet due to manufacturing delays. We will let you know as soon as they are in. Feel free to pick up your other race swag starting Thursday, or, wait until the masks come in and pick everything up at once. Registration fees supports Cook Inletkeeper's mission to protect the Cook Inlet watershed and all the life it sustains. Registration includes a goodie bag with M2M facemask or bandana (your choice), one ticket in the prize raffle, a discount for themed racewear by Love From Alaska, a tidebook, stickers, KRB beverage for those 21+, and other fun stuff. If you don't want the swag, no problem! If you do, it will be available for no-contact pickup at the Inletkeeper office starting Thursday, June 4th. Feel free to call ahead to make sure someone is prepared to bring your goodie bag out to you, 252-6525.

Race Routes & Coronavirus Safety: Typically, we run on Memorial day, which is Monday, May 25th this year. In an effort to stay safely socially distanced and still come together in solidarity to celebrate clean water, healthy salmon, and healthy people with a fun beach run, we're changing from a one-day event to a MONTH-long event. After all, May is Bike Month!

Our 10 mile route usually goes from the Kasilof to the Kenai River mouth. Kasilof access point: Kasilof River Special Use Area off Kasilof Beach Stub Rd. Kenai access point: Kenai South Beach parking lot off Cannery Rd. The 3 mile beach run usually goes from Cannery Rd Beach to Kenai River mouth and back. We encourage racers to run these routes, but safety first! If there is another 3 or 10 mile stretch of beach more accessible to you, race there.

Park at either Cannery Road or the Kasilof Beach entrance, if you are in the Kenai/Soldotna area. Run or bike half the distance out, and turn around for the return to finish. If you are living with someone and able to take two cars and leave one to do the full beach, that’s fine. Otherwise: run or bike solo.

For more info, contact: wildrunandride@gmail.com