Minto man wins Hatcher Pass Marathon

WASILLA — A Minto man was crowned Hatcher Pass Marathon champion Saturday.

Scott Brucker needed 4 hours, 4 minutes and 54 seconds to conquer 26.2 miles of Willow Fishhook Road to the finish line at the Independence Mine State Historical Park. The 31-year-old finished about eight minutes ahead of the runner-up, Zach Behney of Girdwood.

Stacey Buckelew of Homer won the women’s class, with a time of 4:14:14.

Justine Reese was the first Valley runner to cross the finish line. Reese, of Wasilla, placed second in the women’s class and fifth overall with a time of 4:31:43. Palmer’s Rachel Gernat (13th, 5:01:27) also finished among the top 15 overall runners. A total of 39 runners finished the race.

The day also included 24 teams in the relay event.

Team Over the Hill won the three-person relay. Todd Jackson, Mazzy Jackson and Troy Fritzel combined to post a time of 3:38:27.

Hatcher Pass Marathon

Saturday, Willow

Individual results:

1. S. Brucker, 4:04:54; 2. Z. Behney, 4:12:33; 3. J. Bera, 4:12:33; 4. S. Buckelew, 4:14:14; 5. J. Reese, 4:31:43; 6. T. Buck, 4:39:08; 7. A. Dennis, 4:46:11; 8. T. Burton, 4:47:10; 9. S. Peterson, 4:48:29; 10. P. Svenning, 4:54:00; 11. D. Ridge, 4:58:07; 12. H. Moon, 5:00:44; 13. R. Gernat, 5:01:27; 14. R. Rhodes, 5:02:14; 15. K. Konrath-Bara, 5:08:08; 16. M. Nees, 5:08:09; 17. B. Burns, 5:11:24; 18. C. Bennett, 5:12:04; 19. B. Wood, 5:15:07; 20. R. Hafen, 5:15:07; 21. C. Holley, 5:16:31; 22. H. Spargo, 5:17:02; 23. A. Gardner, 5:21:03; 24. C. Grigg, 5:36:34; 25. M. Fisher, 5:36:34; 26. C. Ritchie, 5:36:40; 27. A. Sebby, 5:37:00; 28. A. Hisamoto, 5:44:11; 29. A. Hambach, 5:57:27; 30. D. Johnston, 5:57:27; 31. K. Hafen, 5:57:27; 32. Y. Leutwyler, 5:57:27; 33. J. Stee, 6:00:13; 34. L. Rossi, 6:06:55; 35. M. Wethington, 6:06:55; 36. N. Bickers, 6:18:15; 37. T. Crocker, 6:39:30; 38. R. Bishton, 7:17:22; 39. C. Della Cioppa, 8:38:25.

Relay results:

1. Over the Hill, 3:38:27; 2. Space Waffles, 3:38:42; 3. Flowers By Irene, 3:42:17; 4. Wolfman Rides Again, 3:44:50; 5. Pure Fear, 3:48:19; 6. Team Graziano 3:49:06; 7. Darwinning Running Club, 3:56:30; 8. Team RWB, 4:17:25; 9. We Beat the Skeets, 4:17:30; 10. It takes 3, 4:31:12; 11. Quads of Fury, 4:34:06; 12. Team ACE 4:34:31; 13. What the Hill 4:40:12; 14. Frosty Hoars, 4:46:06; 15. Frosty Hoars too, 4:46:06; 16. Alpine Sisters, 4:51:44; 17. Will Run for Ice Cream, 5:04:20; 18. The Bouncing Babes, 5:08:48; 19. Three’s Company, 5:09:18; 20. Spider-legged Webbers, 5:18:57; 21. Peak Runners, 5:37:33; 22. Boy is our team high maintenance, 5:51:02; 23. No Drama Llamas, 6:00:35; 24. RHD 6:45:17.