Matanuska Peak Challenge: Wet doesn't deter runners

Aug. 5, 2007

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

PALMER - Thick clouds and a steady field of fog circled Lazy Mountain. Winds blew hard over Matanuska Peak. Rains were constant, ranging from mist to downpour.

To a layman, these don't seem like the most favorable conditions for a mountain race that covers 9,100 feet of vertical gain and 14 miles of trail through harsh terrain.

But on Saturday, as runners trickled across the finish line at the Lazy Mountain Trailhead outside of Palmer, there were few complaints about the wet weather and muddy trails of the 2007 Matanuska Peak Challenge.

&#8220For me, it's better,” said Rachel James, the first female runner to cross the finish line. &#8220I enjoy the cooler weather and the challenging conditions.”

Jones, 26, finished first in the women's division for the second time in four years. The Palmer High School graduate finished in 3 hours, 47 minutes and 22 seconds, beating her personal record by more than six minutes.

James finished fourth among the women in 2006, first in 2005 and second in 2004.

James said both times she won the race have been on days like Saturday, where the temperatures were cool and the trails were wet and muddy.

Although the muddy terrain can make for terrible traction, James said there is actually a positive to having the wet surface to race on.

&#8220It's actually easier because you can slide down most of Lazy Mountain,” James said. &#8220Rather than having to run down it, it's easier to slide. Sit down, and let the mud take you down.”

Harlow Robinson, winner of his fourth straight Matanuska Peak Challenge, said the rain makes the race challenging, but he much prefers the cooler weather.

&#8220As far as the temperature, it's ideal,” Robinson said.

The sentiments of James and Robinson could be seen in the participation. Fifty-eight - 42 men and 16 women - signed up for the race. That's up from 54 in 2006 and 50 in 2005.

Runners in the Matanuska Peak Challenge have to conquer not one, but two summits. First there is Lazy Mountain, with a summit at 3,720 feet. Then after traveling down the backside of Lazy Mountain and into McRoberts Creek Valley, participants head up Matanuska Peak until they hit that summit at 6,119 feet. Once there, runners turn around and head back to the finish at the Lazy Mountain Trailhead.

While the muddiest terrain was certainly on the front side of Lazy Mountain, there were several other spots along the trail that proved far from easy.

&#8220Probably the biggest challenge of the race was up on Matanuska Peak with the higher elevations,” Robinson said. &#8220It was blowing hard.”

Robinson guessed it was only about 45 degrees at and near the top of Matanuska Peak.

&#8220But with the combination of wind and rain,” Robinson said. &#8220My hands and legs were both numb. I was definitely getting some hypothermia. When I got to the top, I was like, I need to get the hell of the top of this mountain.”

James said she enjoys the technical terrain of the higher elevation, but agreed the cold temperatures at the high elevations posed problems.

&#8220It got pretty cold and windy. I thought it might start snowing,” Jones said with a laugh.

The Matanuska Peak Challenge is part of the five-race Alaska Mountain Running Grand Prix. The Grand Prix includes races such as Mount Marathon, Crow Pass Crossing and the Government Peak Race.

While each race - the Mount Marathon and Crow Pass Crossing especially - have their own sort of notoriety, but competitors feel there is something that separates the Challenge from the pack.

&#8220They all have their unique challenges, but this one, it's up there on the pain meter,” Robinson said. &#8220It's a series of emotional and physical ups and downs.”

2007 Matanuska Peak Challenge

Saturday, Lazy Mountain Trailhead

Women

1. Rachel James 3 hours, 47 minutes, 22 seconds; 2. Gyongyver Schilling 4:11:17, 3. Jane Senaga 4:15:44, 4. Greta Lewanski 4:32:59, 5. Suzanne Driner 4:33:14, 6. Ellyn Brown 4:36:28, 7. Christine Cannard 4:40:38, 8. Alisa Kincaid 4:40:40, 9. Wendy Sailors 4:55:08, 10. Gina Johnson 4:56:01, 11. Jennifer Campbell 5:20:54, 12. Angelica Pollock 6:10:00, 13. Robin Walters 7:20:44, 14. Wendy Langtin 7:44:50, 15. Kari Moss dnf, 16. Lisa Stockton dnf

Men

1. Harlow Robinson 3:16:54, 2. Matias Saari 3:26:41, 3. Hugh Gren 3:27:20, 4. Brad Precosky 3:29:35, 5. Lance Kopsack 3:29:35, 6. Ben Ward 3:35:31, 7. Brian Gregg 3:38:17, 8. Jonathon Jackson 3:45:33, 9. Darin Markwart 3:45:38, 10. Brandon Rinner 3:52:18, 11. Braun Kopsack 3:54:44, 12. Matt Kenny 4:03:05, 13. Fred Thomas 4:06:15, 14. Paul Pletnikoff 4:10:30, 15. Mike Vanderlugt 4:14:44, 16. Tom Ferrell 4:17:05, 18. Karl Romig 4:22:25, 19. Jason Hlasny 4:35:21, 20. David Rebischke 4:37:20, 21. Josh Niva 4:42:34, 22. Matt West 4:46:26, 23. Steve Gilles 4:53:31, 24. Kevin Vig 4:58:58, 25. Allen McLeod 5:08:40, 26. Mike Robinson 5:13:41, 27. Steve Parrish 5:32:59, 28. Evan Steinhouser 5:39:11, 29. Duke Ruzicka 5:46:23, 30. Timothy Nice 6:10:00, 31. Doug Widener 6:25:34, 32. Larry Lynn 6:41:59, 33. Ken Walters 6:47:03, 34. Andrew Pfeifler 7:07:34, 35. Charles Vontagen 7:07:34, 36. David Longtin 7:07:34, 37. Abe Smyth 7:26:08, 38. Ron Nichall 7:38:07, 39. Keeter Brown 7:53:02, 40. D.J. Wardwell 7:53:06, 41. Greg Latieille 8:44:07.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.