Running Free Alaska – 2025 GNT Charity of Choice

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.

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.

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.

Running Free Alaska is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.  Our Tax ID is 45-5452867.