The Homer Spit Run has been an annual summer event in Homer for several decades. The event will be held this year on June 24.
The headline from a Homer News article from June 26, 1980, states “Spit Run 1980 officially organized” but it may have started a few years earlier, unofficially, according to Jennifer Waltenbaugh, a resident of Homer who has had relatives competing in the event since it started
The half marathon begins at Land’s End and weaves around various road ways on the Spit to the Deep Water dock, the Spit trail, to FAA road, Lakeshore Drive and back out to the Spit. A map of the course is available on the Kachemak Bay Running Club Facebook page and there will be lots of signs on race day directing runners where to go.
The 10k begins at Homer High School, goes down Ben Walters and continues out the Homer Spit to finish at Land’s End.
Sponsors for the race include South Peninsula Hospital, Summit Physical Therapy, Inc., Homer Saw and Cycle and the Homer News. The race, originally sponsored by the Homer News, is now coordinated by the Kachemak Bay Running Club.
“This is the biggest run that the Running Club organizes and 75 percent of the proceeds go to the youth running fund, which primarily gets paid out to the Homer High School cross-country and track and field teams,” race coordinator Melissa Elerick said.
This race takes a lot of logistical and volunteer support.
“We have to get flaggers and people to help at the water stations. South Peninsula Hospital is a huge help. They run registration, put up all the tents and tables is provided by the hospital. They are a star in the race and also provide quite a bit of financial support,” Elerick said.
Kachemak Drive is one of the most challenging places in the race to coordinate traffic.
“We’re trying to get the Homer Police at Kachemak Drive this year. It is a bottleneck spot. It is the one place in the race that’s really difficult,” Elerick said.
The police will close the road at the high school while runners cross at the beginning of the 10k.
There will be snacks available and awards at the park at Land’s End Resort at the end of the race.
Single or family registration is available online now at https://my.raceresult.com/245223/registration. Registration in person will also be available and walkers interested in participation will need to register on the day of the race.
