Alaska Relay racers run through the rain to Seward

The second annual Alaska Relay concluded Saturday night with all registered teams successfully making it through the finish line, with the group Navigationally Challenged coming in first with a time of 24 hours, 55 minutes, 24 seconds.

The event went by with few issues besides the heavy rain that was coming down on Friday, according Nathan Luke, race coordinator.

Two of the runners on two different teams did have to drop out of their legs of the relay early due to a mild injury involving a branch, and worries about hypothermia because of the cold temperatures. However, all teams finished in Seward on Saturday afternoon.

“Everyone persevered through and it was rough for a while but everyone was pretty happy,” said Luke.

All runners were treated to a breakfast of pancakes, eggs and sausage on Saturday morning, about halfway through the race at Summit Lake Lodge in Moose Pass.

Runners reaching the finish line in Seward were met with a beer garden celebration and tacos on the shores of Resurrection Bay.

Zack Lanphier, owner of Bleeding Heart Brewery and sponsor of the Alaska Relay, ran the race last year and this year.

Lanphier, part of the Bleeding Heart team, enjoyed the race last year just enough to come back and do it again.

“It was as terrible as it sounds, but it was also at the same point a lot of fun. I am not a runner by any means. My sheer force of will outweighs my physical capabilities,” said Lanphier.

Alaska Relay veteran Valerie Rozzi said she believes the race is a great experience for all levels of runners because of the varying difficulty of each leg.

“It’s amazing. I would just recommend it to anybody, honestly. I think for runners it’s a big commitment, but the personal challenge is really nice for all kinds of people,” said Rozzi.

North by Northwest Relays, who put on the Alaska Relay, will also be holding a day-long relay on Sept. 15 called the Mat-Su Relay. The race will host teams of six to run through 50 miles of Alaskan scenery.