Welcome

Welcome to the Alaska Run for Women, a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
Tax ID #92-014312

Our Mission
"To raise money for and awareness of breast cancer and women’s health, and to showcase the talents of Alaska’s women athletes." This is accomplished through: an annual women's run/walk event that serves as a vehicle for fundraising, participation, awareness and competition, and grant making to organizations concerned with breast cancer research, education, outreach, prevention and early detection.

Race History
The first Alaska Run for Women event was held in 1993 and drew 700 participants. Now one of the most visible running events in the state, 5,487 runners and walkers (including 310 breast cancer survivors) participated in 2009. The breast cancer survivors are easily spotted by the special hats they wear -- a small symbol to honor them for what they have been through.

Organized by a strong group of volunteers – a board of directors and a race committee – the Run generates a unique sense of camaraderie and sisterhood. Competitors include runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, many sporting cards honoring a loved one who has survived breast cancer or in memory of those who have not.

In 17 years, more than $2.5 million in cash and donated mammograms has been generated by the event -- all of which has been distributed to organizations associated with breast cancer. The donated mammograms are given to low-income women through a program administered by a local non-profit. To learn more about our grants program or to review a list of previous grant recipients, go to grants.

2009 Recap
With a record field of 5,487 participants, approximately $170,000 was generated for the grants program. Of that, a minimum of 70% went to Alaska organizations concerned with breast cancer outreach, education and early detection. Approximately 30% went to breast cancer research projects.

We are proud to be the largest all-women running event in the state (and one of the largest in the country) and to showcase the talents of Alaska's women athletes in their own competitive event.

 

Annual Race Design
A new design is selected each year and is used on promotional materials and official AKRFW merchandise. Local artists interested in donating a design, may submit proposals at any time. For more information, contact Kathy Wisthoff

The 2010 design entitled, "Shoeprints." was created by graphic artist, Lynda Purvis, of Eagle River. She said when thinking about a design for the Alaska Run for Women, she was inspired by all of the shoes, and the spirit of each woman who has left her shoeprints on the course. The heart on the heel is dedicated to every breast cancer survivor, and to the memory of those who lost their battle with the disease. For Lynda, "The heart represents my high school waterskiing buddy, Patti Carter DeBiase, who lost her fight to breast cancer in 2005."

Thank you Lynda, for sharing your inspiration and art with the Alaska Run for Women!

Past Race Designs

Thank you to the following artists who have generously contributed their inspirational designs.

Terri Pauls (93); Kim Olmsted (94, 95, 96, 97, 00, 07); Deb Essex (98, 03, 08); Suzanne Bach (99); Karen Daugherty (01, 04, 05, 06); Douglas Girard & Kathy Wisthoff (02); Vonnie Gaither (09).