Seward

Seward is 127 miles South of Anchorage and has a population of 3,000 in the winter and 10,000 in the summer. It was named for William H. Seward, the man responsible for the purchase of Alaska. Seward sits at the head of Resurrection Bay and is considered the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park.

Some of the main events held in Seward are the annual 4th of July celebration; which includes the world famous Mt. Marathon foot race. This is a grueling race straight up 3,022 feet to the top of Mt. Marathon and back down. The race began as a bet between two sourdoughs to determine if a person could go to the top and back in under an hour. The men who ran did not make it in that time but today the record time is 43.5 minutes.

Each year, during the silver salmon run in Resurrection Bay, the city of Seward tags several silver salmon. Then in August the silver Salmon Derby is held. The prize money for the tagged fish, if caught, ranges from $500 to $100,000. This derby attracts more than 12,000 people to the weeklong event.

During the winter months Seward holds the Polar Bear Jump Off. This is a weekend event that includes a jump into the icy waters of the Seward small boat harbor to raise money for cancer research.

• Experience the real Alaska at Seward Windsong Lodge-Glacial Valley Getaway!
  
• Cruise Kenai Fjords with Kenai Fjords Tours- Alaska's #1 Wildlife & Glacier cruise!

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