Alaska

I'll lead with the spoilers, another marathon finish, so another state done.

The race is point to point, with the race providing transportation to the starting line.  I arrived early enough to board the first bus to the starting line (several hours before the start time). A transportation volunteer denied me access to the school bus because she believed I was a safety issue for the AB (Able Bodied) runners.  Then she apologized that I would not be able to do the race.  I answered that I would have a longer warm up than I usually do before the race, and set out for the starting line.

Did fairly well on my navigating to the start line.  Did take at least one wrong turn, and eventually emerged from tall grass in front of a Air Force Police guard house.  Had an interesting conversation with some heavily armed individuals who were disappointed the only ID I had with me was a bib for the marathon.

Arrived 5 minutes before the start.

Another race with 4 flats.  Only had 3 spares tubes with me.  For the fourth flat took the tube out of the rear tire and put it on the front wheel, dragging the flat behind me.

Bear sighting around mile 14, according to the notices at the aid stations.  Hoping I would not have to fix a flat around mile 14.  People were asking me if I was worried about the bear.  I replied with the classic answer I don't have to be faster than a bear, just have to be faster than the other runners.  Except for sitting on the ground fixing a flat, I am almost always faster than the runners.