Runners, take your mark.
The third annual Southeast Alaska State Fair Haines Hustle is set for Saturday, July 31.
Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, Chilkoot Indian Association, Alaska Fjordlines, the Haines Borough and the Oakley Apparel sponsor the event.
Entry forms are available on bulletin boards around town, and on the fair’s website, http://www.seakfair.org. The early entry fee is $10 or $12 the day of the race.
Hustle courses include a 5K course for runners, walkers and youth; a 10K running race; and a trail half-marathon that starts and ends at the fairgrounds and summits Mount Riley.
The half-marathon, which may have a slightly different course than last year, starts at 7:30 a.m., and the 5K and 10K events begin at 8 a.m.
There will be one water and aid station along the 10K course. Water will be provided at the Battery Point trailhead and at the bottom of Mount Riley for the half-marathon. Runners are encouraged to carry water.
Prizes will be awarded to the top male and female runners in each race, and all runners receive a T-shirt.
Race organizer and fair director Kelly Hostetler said participation has varied each year, ranging from 40 to 100 people. She hopes for a strong turnout.
“It’s a really fun event. I think everyone should challenge themselves a little bit,” Hostetler said. “The 5K is a great distance for youth. We hope to see some young people out this year.”
Resident Daymond Hoffman tackled the half-marathon last year, and said although the course was tough, he planned to enter again. “It was good, but it was brutal. I hadn’t been running enough.”
“I’d say don’t plan on it being a personal record,” he said. “Just enjoy the hike.”