Mustang Bear Paw 5K 2026 — Eagle River, AK

The Mustang Bear Paw 5k is an event for the whole family. This is a race for all ages and abilities. The race takes place as a prelude to the Bear Paw Festival parade. You will run the route of the parade through downtown Eagle River, past cheering crowds, in front of the reviewing stand, onto the paced bike trail, completing a loop back to the finish line. New to the Mustang Bear Paw this year! This year, the Mustang Bear Paw is sanctioned by, and sponsored in part by USATF, the national governing body for all disciplines of running in the United States. This year’s event is a USATF Alaska Association 5K Road Race Championship, and USATF will be awarding cash prizes for the top finishers who also are USATF members. USATF certifies all championship courses to ensure the accuracy, and legitimacy, of the route to qualify further in the race circuit. USATF membership is not required to run the Mustang Bear Paw, but if you want to compete for the cash prizes – as well as two bonus cash prizes for USATF members drawn at random – join USATF before submitting your registration. Go to Alaska.usatf.org and click on “membership.” Your year-long membership not only helps support our sport locally but also provides you with secondary insurance while traveling to and from, and competing in a USATF-sanctioned event. For membership questions, contact president@alaska.usatf.org Event Location The event starts on the road outside the Auto Zone parking lot in Downtown Eagle River, 12250 Old Glann Hwy, Eagle River, AK, 99577. The event finishes on the sidewalk outside the Eagle River Presbyterian Church in Downtown Eagle River, 12836 Old Glenn Hwy, Eagle River, AK, 99577. Bib Pickup Thursday, July 9th: 4:30 - 6:30 PM at the Downtown Skinny Raven, 800 H Street, Anchorage, AK OR Event Day from 8:45 - 10:00 AM at the Auto Zone in Downtown Eagle River Awards Awards will be available for pickup at the results tent with computer lookup at the finish area. Top 3 Overall Age Classes:1-8, 9-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+ Double dipping is allowed, win overall and you also win your age class. Safety Policies For participant safety, and to comply with our insurance we do not allow the following to participate in the race: Dogs or any other pets Bicycles Rollerblades Skateboards Participants with baby joggers or strollers are asked to start in the back of the field and to be courteous to your fellow participants.