Frequently Asked Questions

I am coming to Alaska to do the Susitna 100/Little Su 50K. Where do I fly in to?

Fly into Anchorage. Most people stay in Anchorage until Friday, the day before the race. The pre-race meeting is in Anchorage on Thursday evening. This meeting is required for Susitna 100 racers, but Little Su racers are invited and encouraged to attend. Many racers drive out to Wasilla on Friday and stay at a motel closer to the Start/finish. See the "Travel/Merchants/Etc" page for accommodations in Wasilla.

How do I get to Wasilla?

There is no public transportation to Wasilla, and the Start area is still quite some distance out. Most people rent a car. Sometimes racers share transportation with someone else from outside Alaska. The Susitna 100 finisher awards are given out in Anchorage on Monday evening at the post race party. If you plan to attend the festivities you will need to return to Anchorage. But, rest first!

I have friends and family who are interested in my progress during the race. How can they know what is happening?

During the Susitna 100 we make every effort to update the website with racers' progress, as reported from the remote checkpoints. Sometimes this is made difficult, or impossible, due to weather or loss of internet/cellular connection.

If it is of overwhelming interest to them to know where you are at any time, either you, or they, should get a SPOT geotracker. Get one now and you and your racer can become familiar with its operation before race day. Chances are, your racer spends quite a bit of time in the wilderness and can use this device year-round.

Little Su 50K results are posted on the website as soon as possible after the completion of the race based on internet availability.

My friends and family want to follow me around the course. Can they go into checkpoints to warm up?

With the exception of Eagle Quest Lodge, the checkpoints are private, and very small, therefore, not available to friends, family, or spectators. They are staffed with race volunteers and our priority is to provide for the racers.

Are the trails open to the public during the race?

Yes, the trails are open and there will be general snowmobile and dog sled traffic. Please be aware that every snowmobile that goes over the trail "fluffs up" the snow. While you may think it would be great to see throngs of adoring fans, "fluffed up" snow is not what any racer really wants. We have a crew of dedicated snowmobile patrollers during the race to help monitor racer progress and safety. This provides some necessary traffic.

How does the race know where I am?

We don't. We only know your location when you are at a checkpoint. Our roving snowmobile patrol does not record bib numbers. If you are not on the course they will not be able to assist you. But, if you are on the course, you are not lost. When they go by you on the trail, they can assist you.

How will I know where the trail is?

The trail is marked with about 1000 pieces of surveyor's lath. These three foot tall pieces of wood are painted with the distinctive Susitna color and each is hand lettered with "SU 100" on both sides. In addition, a piece of reflective tape is applied to both sides for night travel. A sample will be available at the pre-race meeting. Pay attention only to SU 100 markers! If you travel 15 minutes without seeing a Su 100 marker, you should turn around and return to the last one you passed. We don't say you can't get lost. Someone does every year.


All race expenses are paid out of entry fees. We choose to not have sponsors. We maintain a modest balance to fund advance expenses for the next race year. It is our intent to ensure the sustainability of the Susitna Races and maintain entry fees at a reasonable level. The Susitna 100 and Little Su 50K are organized by a very small working Board of volunteers. No Board member profits financially in any way from the races. Beginning with the 2009 Race, we initiated a fund to offset the entry fees for a limited number of Alaska based Military 100 mile racers. This is funded through generous donations from other racers and interested parties.