Running Free Alaska
Running Free Alaska's Mission and Vision
Our mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of Alaskan women who are incarcerated through a structured running program and to provide running-related support after release.
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We believe that the simplicity of running helps people live their best lives. Our vision is to create a supportive environment for women who are incarcerated and stand as a bridge to an interconnected community not defined by labels and stigmas.
About Us
In the spring of 2012, our founder Tim Alderson was interning in the mental health unit at Hiland Mountain Correctional Center while finishing his master's thesis. He had been inspired by a Runner's World article about a running program in a Kansas women's prison to study the effects of running on a prison population. The initial 12-week program started with 25 runners and included two coaches from the community, Ellyn Brown and Lisa Keller. In July 2012, Running Free Alaska incorporated and held its first board meeting. Click the button below to see Tim's thesis and watch the video below to see the impact of Running Free Alaska.

Programs
Our programs are offered inside Hiland Mountain Correctional Center (HMCC) to women who are incarcerated and on the outside once our runners are released.
Running Free on
the inside
Running Free has a year-around presence at Hiland Correctional. Fifteen volunteer coaches hold practices three times a week in a winter session that runs January - May and a summer session that runs June - October. The winter session culminates in a 5K and 10K race and the summer session culminates in a 5K, 10K and half-marathon race. In the shoulder season, November - December, there is a conditioning session.
Running Free on
the Outside
Once our runners are released, we welcome them into the Anchorage running community. We pay for race entry fees for three years, provide a pair of shoes and a jog bra, and outfit them in running gear from our collection of donated gently-used running clothes (also known as Jackie's Closet).
Peak a Week
The idea of a summer "Peak a Week" program for our released runners has been brewing for quite some time. Many of our coaches are avid trail runners and hikers and the enthusiasm for the mountains has been passed down to our runners inside Hiland. Since our program is temporarily on hold due to Covid-19, it seemed the perfect time to introduce our idea to our released runners.
Get Involved
Make a Donation
Want to write a check? Send it to Running Free Alaska, PO Box 231982, Anchorage, AK 99523.
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Want to use a credit card? Donate through a Facebook fundraiser (there are no fees!) or click on the button below.
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Tax ID #45-5452867
Volunteer Your Time
Help us at our races inside Hiland in the spring and fall, at our annual 4 Miler in June, or become a coach or board member.
Partner with Us
Our community partners support our runners in many ways. They hold fundraisers, donate to our race, support our program with in-kind donations, hire our runners, and promote our programs.
Hold a Fundraiser
There are many simple and easy ways to hold a fundraiser for Running Free Alaska. By holding a fundraiser for RFA you show that you care about incarcerated women and support an organization that helps them to live their best life.
Running Free 4 Miler
Virtual Race
June 25, 7 p.m., 2020 to July 5, 12 midnight, 2020

Race Information
Registration


Sponsors
Race Results
Coaches
Board of Directors
Jackie Minge
President
Kirsten Anderson
Vice President
Linda Barnack
Secretary
Keri Clark
Treasurer
John Ferguson
Board Member
Jill Griffin
Board Member
Kelley Jansen
Board Member
Jasmin Martin
Board Member
Nancy Meade-Miller
Board Member
Pamela Meadors
Board Member
Bonnie Moore
Board Member
Detlef Morrison
Board Member
Tlisa Northcutt
Board Member
Tim Alderson
Founder
Ex-Officio Board Member
Contact
Running Free Alaska
PO Box 231982, Anchorage, AK 99523
907-242-9361