By Delcenia Cosman

Homer Independent Press

Thirty competitors in the 2026 Kachemak Bay Mountain Classic, held across the bay July 11, were the first to experience a new half-marathon course on recently-cleared Kachemak Bay State Park trails.

Participants could sign up to either run or hike the 13.1-mile course. Out of the 30 who started the race, 26 completed the rugged course, which includes about 2,900 feet of elevation gain.

The course began at the beach trailhead near Humpy Creek and ascended quickly up to Portlock Plateau before turning around and descending back to Humpy Creek. The course then traversed across the flats to cross Grewingk Creek, continuing to Glacier Lake and concluding at the Saddle Trailhead beach.

“Friends of Kachemak Bay State Parks is excited about the debut of this new course and to bring attention to more trails connected to the popular Glacier Hike,” a July 13 press release says.

Andrew Peters, from Anchorage, took first place overall, finishing the course in 2 hours, 12 minutes and 27 seconds. Sarah Freistone, also from Anchorage, took first place in the women’s category and finished fifth overall in 2 hours, 33 minutes and 30 seconds. 

The first hiker to cross the finish line was Lila Johnson at 5 hours, 18 minutes and 27 seconds. Gregory Mills won first in the men’s hiker category at 5 hours, 27 minutes and 54 seconds. 

Friends of the Kachemak Bay State Parks hold the race annually as a fundraiser and a way to raise awareness of park trails, maintenance and funding. 

About 84 miles of trails exist in the park, created using Exxon-Valdez oil spill money, according to the press release, but only about 25 miles of those trails are currently accessible. Many park trails have been “lost to brush” due to a lack of state funding for trail maintenance.

Through hosting the Mountain Classic, the Friends aim to feature different trails every few years as they are “reclaimed from the constantly growing wilderness.” All trails maintained in the race are cleared by FKBSP volunteers.

“The goal is to get more miles of existing trails open and to stay open,” the press release states. 

Support for the race was provided by Kachemak Bay Search and Rescue, Kachemak Bay Running Club and Alaska State Parks.

Learn more about the annual Mountain Classic and find this year’s results on the Friends of Kachemak Bay State Parks website.