4th of July Tradition

The 4th of July just wouldn't be complete without racing in Seward's Mt. Marathon Race...at least that's what I decided two weeks before the race. As a result, I flew up to Alaska the beginning of the week, enjoyed some time with friends and family and drove down to Seward to race the infamous Mt. Marathon on Friday. Now, for those of you who have no idea what Mt. Marathon is, let me summarize it by saying "its the super bowl of mountain racing." Hundreds of people race up and down this 3,022 foot mountain with an average grade of 45 degrees. The race starts on main street and takes you a half mile to the base of the mountain. From there you climb up a rock face, hang on to tree roots and branches for dear life and continue to scramble up scree. Once you make it to the top, only half the battle is complete...the other half is racing down the mountain and making it to the bottom in one piece. This year there was a 400 foot snow field at the top of the mountain, which made for some restful glissading. Here is a video of the race and some pictures to give you an idea of what the excitement is all about!

RESULTS:

Women:
1. Cedar Bourgeios 52:11
2. Holly Brooks 55:29
3. Nicole De Yong 58:40
4. Aubrey Smith 58:57
5. Denali Foldager 1:01

Men:
1. Trond Flagstad 44:03
2. Sam Hill 45:49
3. Matias Saari 46:42
4. Brad Precosky 46:49
5. Jens Beck 47:04

A racer beginning his trek up the mountain

Headed up the rock face

Watch your step!

Me, rounding the flagpole at the top of the mountain

Trond, making his way down the final stretch to take 1st!!!

Big congratulations to Trond Flagstad, my former UAA ski coach, for winning his first Mt. Marathon title after placing 2nd for the past three years! He recorded the third fasted time in the 81 years of Mt. Marathon history. Way to go!!!! Here is a link to a video:
http://community.adn.com/mini_apps/vmix/player.php?ID=1981081&GENRES=00000182&GID=118