The Alaska Salmon Runs are truly the most unique. Because Cordova, Alaska is a remote town that can only be accessed by plane or ferry, the races are fairly small but considered by runners from around the world to be worth the trip. There is no expo, but the races take place during the Copper River Salmon Jam music & arts festival, so there is plenty of fun to be had all weekend.. The course is flat and fast. As there is only one road leading out of town (and it just kind of ends... Cordova’s claim to fame is “No Road”), they bus you out to the start of each race that morning, and you run back to town. There is nothing but beautiful scenery in the 13 ish miles between town and the tiny airport (near the half start), and then more beautiful scenery beyond that. I ran the 5k, the half, and the 10k in the 3 years we were stationed there, and the half was by far my favorite. I have parking/access five stars because the town is so small that everyone walks to the buses/finish area from their home or lodging.