The annual Spit Run 10K and Cosmic Hamlet Half Marathon will take place June 27.

Staff report

Homer’s oldest long-distance race returns next weekend. The 50th annual Homer Spit Run will be held on Saturday, June 27. 

Online registration for the timed races is now open. In-person registration will also be held on race day starting at 8 a.m. at Homer High School. No advanced registration is required for the fun run.

The Spit Run was created by the late Gary Williams, who died in 2021. Williams was an avid runner and previously served as Homer mayor and editor of the Homer News, according to a June 12 press release from organizer Kachemak Bay Running Club.

New this year, KBRC held an inaugural design contest for the Spit Run T-shirts. Homer artist Abigail Kokai won the contest, receiving a $100 reward for and retaining all rights to her design.

The first 250 Homer Spit Run registrants will receive this year’s shirt with Kokai’s design.

The Spit Run event consists of the 10K to the Bay, the Cosmic Hamlet Half Marathon and the 1 Mile Youth (Kids and Family) Fun Run. 

The 10K and half marathon are both timed races; the 1-mile fun run is untimed.

The 10K to the Bay is a point-to-point course, certified by USA Track & Field, that starts at Homer High School and finishes at the end of the Spit. Runners start at 10 a.m. Walkers may start anytime after 9 a.m. in the untimed walkers division of the race.

Registration for the 10K for both runners and walkers is $35 in advance. Race day registration is $40.

The Cosmic Hamlet Half Marathon is an out-and-back course that starts and finishes at Land’s End Resort. The race will start at 9 a.m. 

Registration for the half marathon is $45 in advance and $50 on race day. 

Half marathon and 10K runners can pick up their bibs in advance at Grace Ridge Brewing on Friday, June 26, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Participants in the half marathon can also pick up their bibs on race day at Homer High School.

The 1 mile youth run, now in its second year, is free to kids and their family members. Runners will start and end at Land’s End right after the conclusion of the 10K race. 

Proceeds from the Homer Spit Run will benefit local youth running programs. 

Learn more and register through the KBRC website.