Tag: Fundraiser

Join us for an afternoon of bowling, silliness, and fundraising!
We are bowling to Put Hope
Within Reach of those seeking
freedom from addiction. All
proceeds to help the students in
our residential recovery programs in Alaska!
Sign up now! alaskabowl.atcpacwest.com
There are prizes available for all bowlers
who fundraise in support of
Adult & Teen Challenge PacWest!

Valley Charities with turn-A-leaf thrift store presenting our 2nd online auction, Leaves of Change fund raiser supports Valley Charities programs “Connecting those who need help with the help they need”. Proceeds from our online auction are added to our Endowment Fund. These funds will be distributed by way of mini grants made available to those MatSu residents who find them selves with financial difficulty. A one time urgency like a car repair, copay on a prescription or medical bill. These people who fall into the GAP between public service programs and do not have help readily available to them. Online Auction opens at 8am on May 15 and closes at 7pm on May 26th. Auction items will be available for pick up Saturday May 28th at 400 N Yenlo Street, Valley Charities.

Marathon $85 (9a m – 5 pm)
Half-Marathon $70 (10 am – 3 pm)
10K $55 (10:30 am – 2 pm)
5K $40 (11 am – 1 pm)
Kids 1K $0 (11:30 am – 1 pm)

Place
4350 Bodenburg Loop
Palmer, AK US 99645
Description
Come join us as we celebrate the start of running season in Alaska with the Valley Thaw Out Races!

Grab your friends, family, and cohorts and sign up to run some spring miles together! There is a distance for everyone at this family friendly race. Races include a kids Fun Run, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and NEW this year…a Full Marathon. Please see age restrictions for each distance.

The Valley Thaw Out Races are a fundraiser for the MatSu Running Club, a non profit group offering coached running workouts and group runs throughout the spring and summer.

THE COURSE:
All races will start and finish at Pyrah’s Pioneer Peak Farm on Bodenburg Loop. 4350 Bodenburg Loop, Palmer, AK 99645

5K: Course will be an out and back on Bodenburg Loop. (Ages 7+)
10K: Runners will head out on Bodenburg Loop until they reach the Glenn Highway, they will then turn RIGHT onto the bike path and run down to the next Bodenburg Loop Rd where they will turn RIGHT again and follow the road back to Pyrah’s. Full disclosure…this full loop is just a bit longer than a strict 10K. (Ages 7+)
Half Marathon: Runners will head out on Bodenburg Loop until they reach the Glenn Highway, they will then turn LEFT onto the bike path and continue on the bike path until the turnaround by Virginia Ave. From the turnaround they will take the bike path to the SECOND Bodenburg Loop Rd where they will turn RIGHT and follow the road back to Pyrah’s. (Ages 10+)
Marathon: Runners will head out on Bodenburg Loop until they reach the Glenn Highway, they will then turn LEFT onto the bike path and continue on the bike path to Airport Rd where they will turn LEFT. Runners will make their way to the Outer Springer Loop before returning back to the bike path via Airport Rd. Once on the bike path runners will continue on to the SECOND Bodenburg Loop Rd where they will turn RIGHT and follow the road back to Pyrah’s. (Ages 14+)
Kid’s Run: A fun loop around the beautiful farmlands of Pyrah’s Pioneer Peak Farm. (Ages 10 & under. Adult/Older sibling may chaperone runner.)

COURSE RESTRICTIONS:
We will NOT be closing traffic to Bodenburg Loop Road. Runners will run on the shoulder against traffic. The 5K and 10K are open to children 7 and over, the Half is open to children 10 and over, the Marathon is open to children 14 and over. YOU are responsible for ensuring that your child understands the rules of the road. Any child under the age of 10 MUST have an adult running with them for the duration of the race. Race volunteers will assist with any crossings and blind corners. Due to these conditions there will be NO STROLLERS OR DOGS allowed the course. Failure to adhere to these regulations WILL result in a disqualification and/or removal from the race.
RACE CAPS:
In compliance with our permits for this event, the race cap is 350 participants across all divisions (excluding kids run.) We anticipate selling out quickly and once we do will establish a wait list for those hoping to get in.

START TIMES:

Marathon: 9:00AM

Half Marathon: 10:00AM

10K: 10:30AM

5K: 11:00AM

Kids Run: 11:30AM

BIB PICKUP:
Thursday, April 23: 5:00-7:00pm at AKtive Soles Performance Footwear Wasilla, (984 N Meridian Pl, Suite D, Wasilla, AK)

Saturday, April 25: at registration tent at Pyrah’s (4350 Bodenburg Loop, Palmer, AK)

Marathon: 8:00-8:30am
Half Marathon: 9:00-9:30am
10K: 9:30-10:00am
5K: 10:00-10:30am
Yes, you may pick up your friend’s bib. No, you may not exchange your shirt size.

RACE SWAG:
All 5K/10K/Half/Marathon finishers will receive:

– 2026 Race Shirt* (if registered by March 21)

– Finisher’s Medal

– VTOR Sticker

Kid’s finishers will receive:

– Finisher’s Token

– VTOR Sticker

*NOTE: The last day to register and be guaranteed a shirt is Saturday, March 21, 2026.

REGISTRATION POLICY:
Registration will open on November 7, 2025 at 8:00am and close on April 18, 2026 at midnight. Due to the cost of putting on events like this there will be NO refunds or deferments allowed. (Please consider purchasing race insurance at checkout if this is a concern for you.) There is NO day of race registration.

RACE PARTNER:
The Valley Thaw Out Races is a fundraising event for the MatSu Running Club, a non-profit running club in the Matanuska Susitna Valley. A portion of the race proceeds go directly to the club in support of their mission to help new and seasoned runners meet personal goals, create community, and increase the joy and satisfaction of running. For more information you can visit their website: MatSu Running Club

Be part of something BIG this April!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska is raising $75,000 to support
mentoring matches and create new ones for youth across our state, and we need YOU!
Learn about our mission, connect with the community, win door prizes, and join us in an Alaska Airlines Raffle Sale!
Purchase raffle tickets at the event for your chance to win BIG! Apps & taps provided (plus great non-alcohol options!) Every dollar helps start and sustain a life-changing relationship. Help us reach our goal of $75,000 and support youth!