Two races.
one amazing team.
Challenging Racers in Alaska's Winter Wilderness
Alaska Winter Wilderness Races puts on safe, well run races built to:
Challenge prepared winter athletes
Encourage responsible backcountry travel
Respect Alaska's trails, land, and conditions
Strengthen the winter racing community
Two Races.
One Alaska Tradition.
The Susitna 100 challenges cyclists, runners, and skiers to cover 100 miles of remote winter terrain over 48 hours. The Little Su 50K runs the same weekend on a shorter course, with the same emphasis on preparation, endurance, and self-reliance.
The Little Su has its own origin: it started in 2002 so friends and family had something to do while waiting for the 100-mile racers to finish. Forty-four people ran it that first year, and organizers genuinely weren't sure it would catch on. It did. These days it sells out in hours — turns out registering can be more competitive than the race.
Honoring Dedicated Racers
The 1049 Mile Award recognizes athletes who've finished the Susitna 100 ten times or more.
The Little Su 500 Award celebrates repeat finishers of the Little Su 50K.
Powered by the Race Community
These races don't happen without volunteers. They mark and monitor the courses, staff remote checkpoints, support racers, and keep race weekend running from start to finish.
The organization also runs a donation-funded Military Scholarship that helps eligible active-duty military members stationed in Alaska race the Susitna 100.
A volunteer working board organizes both races. No board member takes any profit — entry fees cover race operations and the advance costs of putting on the next year's events. The organization keeps things lean on purpose, so the races stay sustainable and entry fees stay reasonable.
The Land We Race On
We gratefully acknowledge that these races take place on the traditional lands of the Dena'ina and Ahtna Dene people.
Portions of the course cross land managed by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, used with permission through required land-use permits. Revenue from those permits supports programs serving Trust beneficiaries throughout Alaska.
We're grateful to the property owners, local businesses, and community members whose cooperation makes these races possible — from the folks who host checkpoints on their land to the shops that support racers getting ready.
