Mountain runners get first test of year

PALMER — Call it a tune-up for the summer mountain racing season.

The Government Peak Hill Climb, the first of a half-dozen events on the Alaska Mountain Races calendar, is slated to begin Saturday at 11 a.m. near Mountain Streams Bed and Breakfast in the Hatcher Pass area.

“The race sets the tone for the summer for some people,” race organizer Mark Strabel said of the event which brings competitors about 3.5 miles and 4,500 feet of elevation up the south side of Government Peak.

The race, in which 122 men and women finished last year, could attract upward of 175 participants this year, Strabel said. Saturday will mark the third official run up Government Peak, and the field has grown anywhere from 10 to 15 percent each year, he said.

Strabel said the race course provides a variety of terrain.

“The nice thing is there’s a little bit of everything,” Strabel said.

Pieces and parts of the trail can be likened to sections of other popular Alaska Mountain Races.

It starts with a gradual uphill run for about a mile, almost like Cross Pass Crossing, Strabel said. Then there’s a gingerly climb of about 500 feet, which is followed by about 1,000 feet of really steep tail, somewhat like Mount Marathon. That is followed by a section of trail that can be compared to parts of the Bird Ridge race.

The south side of Government Peak typically provides great conditions in early June, Strabel said. There is still snow at and near he top, but most of the trail stays fairly dry at this point in the summer.

Strabel actually founded the race three years ago because of the quality of the trail conditions on the south side of Government Peak in early June. Strabel was approached by the Alaska Mountain Runners club several years ago about the need for another race for its calendar, and Strabel came up with the idea of Government Peak.

“We pioneered the trail and it’s taken off ever since,” he said.

Sam Hill was the first runner up Government Peak last year, finishing the three-mile piece of trail in 46 minutes and 50.6 seconds.

Holly Brooks won the women’s division with a time of 56:17.2

Strabel said this is the first points race in the Alaska Mountain Runners grand prix, so he expects many of the top Alaskans who participate in the sport to compete in the event.

The next event, the Robert Spurr Memorial Hill Climb, is scheduled for June 21 at the Bird Ridge Trailhead.

Those interested in participating in the Government Peak Hill Climb can pre-register at www.signmeup.com and that link can be found at www.alaskamountainrunners.org. The cost is $30 and participants can also register from 9-10:30 a.m. the day of the race at Mountain Streams Bed and Breakfast. Parking is very limited at Mountain Streams, so runners are asked to park at the Fishhook Fire Station, which is located between Palmer Fishhook and Wasilla Fishhook on Turner Road.

Strabel said Mascot busses will transport runners from the fire station to Mountain Streams about every 15 minutes.

Close finish highlights Eklutna Challege

EKLUTNA LAKE — Matt Novakovich edged Carey Grumelot by just a single second to win the Eklutna Challenge at Eklutna Lake on Saturday.

Novakovich finished the course, which includes a three-mile run and 15-mile bike ride, in 1 hour, 4 minutes and 18 seconds.

Eklutna Challenge

Eklutna Lake, Saturday

Women’s individual results: (Top 10, three-mile run, 15-mile bike ride)

1. Sheryl Loan 1 hour, 17 minutes, 9 seconds; 2. Danelle Winn 1:17:44; 3. Amber Stull 1:18:19; 4. Margaret Cunningham 1:20:32; 5. Deenie Robertson 1:21:48; 6. Kinsey Loan 1:22:10; 7. Susie Holway 1:27:47; 8. Kim Borke 1:27:48; 9. Pamela Todd 1:27:51; 10. Nancy Meade-Miller 1:28:17; Carrie Varnell 1:43:18; 25. Holly McCune 1:43:33.

Men’s individual results: (Top 10, three-mile run, 15-mile bike ride)

1. Matt Novakovich 1 hour, 4 minutes, 18 seconds; 2. Carey Grumelot 1:04:19; 3. Adam Miller 1:05:35; 4. Andy Duenow 1:06:53; 5. Chester Fehrmann 1:09:36; 6. Ranjodh Gill 1:09:52; 7. Adam Looney 1:10:00; 8. Tim Berntson 1:10:37; 9. Todd Borke 1:12:00; 10. Fred West 1:12:04;