The sun capped mountains, the cackle of bald eagles and the sun glistening on the Devil’s Club along the trail…

These are the sights that helped me endure my 40th State Marathon in Juneau, Alaska this week.

After spending the week vacationing with my husband Jeff in Juneau, Alaska, I joined up with Mainly Marathons and ran in their inaugural Alaska Series on Day 2.

Mainly Marathons hosts Marathons in all 50 United States to help runners like me fulfill their dreams of running in each State.

This race started at Savikko Park (better known as Sandy Beach by locals) on Douglas Island, across the Gastineau Channel from Juneau.

The Full Marathon course was comprised of 14 loops of the wooded, historic Treadwell Trail. This wooded trail winds along portions of the Treadwell Mine, once the largest producing good mine in Alaska ($70 million in gold was produced here, prior to its collapse in 1917).

It was a mild, sunny, 70 degree day, but the glittering yellow warblers, the black as coal ravens and the occasional bald eagle sighting helped to pass the day. Mount Roberts and the glacier could be seen across the Gastineau Channel.

My husband Jeff was there to support me and complete several loops of the trail with me. After the race was over, I waded around in the chilly water of Sandy Beach to rest my weary feet.

The Alaska Series medals are beautiful. The medal is in the shape of a moose.

Check out more of our Alaska Adventures in my Top 7 Sights To See in Juneau, Alaska post.