New records set at 2013 Hatcher Pass Marathon

By Clark Fair For Frontiersman.com

HATCHER PASS — Marina Fleming of Palmer became the first woman to complete the Hatcher Pass Marathon course in less than four hours Saturday, posting a time of 3:50:41 and shattering the women’s record’s in the third annual event.

The marathon relay record was also broken, as the Anchorage team of Kickin’ Pass & Taking Names finished ahead of the entire field of 112 runners, posting a time of 3:01:09. Matt Crow, Tony Tomisch and Dugan Greenwell comprised the winning relay team, which bested the 2011 record of 3:05:21.

In the men’s competition, Shane Hargis of Eagle River finished first in 3:29:03, ahead of second-place Jason Walsh (3:31:26) of Anchorage and third-place Laron Thomas (3:35:04) of Anchorage.

For much of the race, Hargis, a top-10 finisher in the 2012 Moose’s Tooth Marathon, ran in a small cluster of marathoners that included last year’s champ, David Johnston of Willow. Johnston finished fourth on Saturday.

Fleming, who finished ahead of second-place Ginny Kinnebrew (4:03:03) of Eagle River and third-place Shawn McTaggart (4:14:20) of Anchorage, topped McTaggart’s 2012 mark of 4:01:29 over the road-based course that included more than 4,000 feet of vertical gain.

Fleming, who said she was training for the rigorous Leadville 100 in Colorado later this summer, ran strongly throughout the race, which followed Willow Fishhook Road beneath overcast skies that occasionally spit light rain on the competitors. The race was hosted by the Willow Running Club and is part of the Willow Race Series.

Hatcher Pass Marathon

Saturday, Hatcher Pass

Men’s top finishers

1, Shane Hargis (Eagle River) 3:29:03; 2. Jason Walsh (Anchorage) 3:31:26; 3. Laron Thomas (Anchorage) 3:35:04.

Women’s top finishers

1. Marina Fleming (Palmer) 3:50:41; Ginny Kinnebrew (Eagle River) 4:03:03; 3. Shawn McTaggart (Anchorage) 4:14:20.

Relay team top finishers

1. Kickin’ Pass & Taking Names (Anchorage) 3:01:09; 2. Bodacious, Audacious, Tenacious (Palmer) 3:05:11; 3. Hatcher Pass Road Kill (Anchorage) 3:07:56.