Mount Marathon, Race Point

Race Point is situated directly above Seward, Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula. The names Mt. Marathon, Marathon Mountain, and Race Point are often used interchangeably to indicate the same mountain. Race Point (as designated on the USGS map) has two trails to the summit, which is really only a point on the ridge leading to the summit of Marathon Mountain (el. 4603 ft). From Race Point, this ridge to the true summit is a technical mountaineering climb. The mountain is probably best known for the annual namesake 4th of July footrace to the summit of Race Point. 

Race Point is probably the most accessible and popular mountain hike on the Kenai Peninsula due to access directly from the city of Seward. This hike is free of snow much earlier than other trails and surrounding mountains. The hike provides spectacular panoramic views of Seward, the surrounding Kenai and Resurrection Mountains, and out Resurrection Bay into the Gulf of Alaska. Two trails head up to Race Point. One is the trail used in the 4th of July race and essentially goes straight up in the most direct route. The other trail starts in Seward. The two trailheads are close enough that a loop hike would be feasible.