Nearly 100 run in first Hatcher Pass race

WILLOW — When Andrea Hambach and Yvonne Leutwyler created the Hatcher Pass Marathon, the founders of the Willow Running Club hoped they see 40 runners register for the inaugural race.

But when race day came, the their field was more than twice that total.

Ninety-one runners arrived Saturday morning, ready to tackle the 26.2-mile route up Willow-Fishhook Road to Independence Mine atop Hatcher Pass.

Sam Tilly of Indian won the first race, crossing the finish line with at time of 3 hours, 58 seconds. Patrick Conway of Anchorage finished second at 3:13 and third-place David Johnston of Willow was just behind at 3:17.03.

Kimberley Beaman of Talkeetna won the women’s division with at time of 4:02:01. Fairbanks’ Jane Lanford was second at 4:04.56. Jeanne Schaaf finished third among the women at 4:27.46.

The race started at Shirley Town Bridge, where Willow-Fishhook Road meets Willow Creek, and sent runners up Hatcher Pass along the dirt road on the Willow side. Before the race, Hambach said the running club not only wanted to give the Valley its only marathon, but highlight the area.

“It’s a pretty historic area of the Valley and an area people usually don’t see,” Hambach said.

Not only is the race a full marathon, but it also incorporates mountain running. Hambach said before the race she hopes it draws a range of runners, and opens the door for a new generation of runners.

“Hopefully we can attract a variety of runners,” she said. “We certainly don’t want to make it an elite event only. We want people of all abilities. We want to make it welcoming for all kinds of groups. People who don’t like the pavement like us, but it’s also reasonable for people who might not like tripping over roots for 26 miles. it’s a great opportunity for people to enter a marathon.”