The Anchorage Salmon Run is a fundraiser hosted by the Inlet View Elementary School PTA to help make the school more awesome. It has been held for several years, but this was my first year running.

Registration was easy, you could do it online or in person the day of the race. They also allow school teams to participate, so kids running with school teams could run for a very affordable price.

Bib pickup was easy with no wait, there were two pickups in the week leading up to the event, and bib pickup the morning of the event. The technical shirts had a great design, and they let you try them on so you could make sure you got one that fit.

There were 10k, 5k, and 2k options to run, so there was a distance for every family member. The 10k and 5k started promptly at 10am, with the 2k starting at 10:03. The announcers did a great job of asking those with strollers or dogs to start in the back of the group, which made it to where you didn't get blocked or tripped up by these runners.

The course starts at the elementary school (near downtown) and heads straight to The Coastal Trail for a beautiful out-and-back past the Westchester Lagoon and Bootlegger's Cove.

Signage was great! They had volunteers along the course providing directions, turnaround signs, and encouragement to the runners!

Water stations were located at the 5k turnaround, 10k turnaround, and finish line. A local bank even set up a station just past the 2k mark providing water and energy bars!

It's an uphill climb to the finish line, but as you're approaching the announcer calls out your name and all the specters cheer and it gives you that last bit of motivation you need to push yourself over the finish line!

As you cross the finish line, volunteers are immediately giving out medals to the kids who finish the race, which I think is awesome! Adults love their bling, but I think kids really view it as proof of their accomplishment and I love that the race was so affordable and still could give them souvenirs.

There are also computers set up so you can check your official time after you finish instead of having to wait for the results to be loaded online over the next few days. Instant gratification!

Parking was also a breeze for this, I arrived 35 minutes before the race and was able to get a spot right in front of the school where I could see the finish line. Since this is a neighborhood school and race, I think a lot of families walked to the start line.

Definitely a great event to help out a local school. It was a great way to blend physical fitness with family time with fundraising, and I hope to see it continue year after year.