Death By a Mile
Sat, Oct 10, 2026, 4:00 AM AKDT
- Type
- Trail race
Finish signup on the organizer site (check fees and dates there).
Race feel
Embrace the challenge of timed hill loops on a scenic trail, where pushing your limits meets community spirit and supports a local recreational area.
- Fun
- Scenic
- Competitive
- Quirky
- For a Cause
Fun
Scenic
Competitive
Quirky
For a CauseDeath By a Mile is a unique timed-loop challenge at Skeetawk Ski Area in Palmer, AK. Runners aim to complete as many one-mile hill loops as possible within their chosen time limit (4, 6, 8, or 12 hours). This Black Wolf Endurance event offers a social atmosphere for making new running friends while pushing your limits on the beautiful Meadow Loop trail. A portion of your registration supports the growth of the Skeetawk recreational area, making your effort meaningful.
Past race snapshot
What the field usually feels like
A plain-English read from past public results. It is helpful context, not a prediction.
Crowd
Small field
20 other finishers in 2025. A quieter race where the pack may spread out more quickly.
Typical finish
7:31:35
Think middle-of-the-pack, using gun time when available.
Competitive feel
Lively front
The faster end moves well, but the race still has room for everyday runners. Front-group read: 5:14:24.
People mix
More women
About 70% women and 30% men among finishers who listed gender.
Quick read
For the other in 2025, this looks like a small field: 20 finishers are represented here. A middle-of-the-pack finish was around 7:31:35. The quicker front of the field averaged about 5:14:24. Use it as a feel check, not a promise about race day.
Award clues
Historic placement clues only. Race-day awards can use different rules.
Overall observed placement
Top 3 (from finish order in our sample)
Show the year-by-year numbers
| Distance | Year | Finishers | Typical | Average | Front 10% | Fastest M / W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| other | 2025 | 20 | 7:31:35 | 7:06:49 | 5:14:24 | 5:20:35 / 5:08:13 |
Last summary update: May 2, 2026
From the organizer
Don't be scared, it's only a mile (ish).
Join us for the third year of this challenging Black Wolf Endurance race and our 2026 season finale at Skeetawk Ski Area where the only goal is to run as many one mile hill loops as you can in a given amount of time. Choose from 12, 8, 6, or 4 hours of racing the beautiful new Meadow Loop trail atop Skeetawk in Hatcher Pass.
WHERE:
13500 N. Skeetawk Circle Mile 10.6 Palmer-Fishhook Rd. Palmer, AK 99645
WHEN:
Saturday, October 11, 2025
TIMES:
12 Hour - 8:00AM
8 Hour (NEW) - 12:00PM
6 Hour - 8:00AM
4 Hour - 8:00AM OR 12:00PM
COURSE:
Runners will begin at the start tent in the Skeetawk parking lot and make their way up the Altitude gravel path (.39 miles) before veering left to the entrance of the Meadow Loop trail (.54 miles). Here runners may choose to run the Meadow Loop in the direction of their choice, clockwise or counter clockwise. After completing one full loop, runners will head back down Altitude and check in at the start tent before heading back up on their next loop.
AID:
Bring whatever food/nutrition you think you might need for the duration of the race along with anything else that comes to mind... (chairs, coolers, towels, blankets, etc.)
We'll provide Water and Electrolytes and a variety of aid station snacks. The Skeetawk Yurt will be open for warmth and coffee for purchase (and maybe even a mid race beer.)
RACE DAY:
All runners who are starting at 8am will check in and pick up bibs from 7-7:30am at the Yurt. A brief pre race meeting will begin at 7:45am at the Stage.
All runners who are starting after 8am will check in at the Black Wolf Endurance start tent 30 minutes prior to their race start.
RULES:
Be honest. You must complete a full loop before coming back to the start tent to get your bib punched.
Awards