Refuge run a success

To the editor:

Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats held its first Run for the Refuge on July 17. Encouraged by one of the few warm and sunny days we’ve had recently, 54 racers turned out to test this first-time run on the popular Cottonwood Creek and Scout Ridge trails at Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge. They were not disappointed by the challenging trail and scenic views, and most agreed they would run it again next year in a heartbeat.

APH would like to thank our race sponsors and partners for helping to make this fun run possible: Active Soles, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Alaska Railroad Corp., Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, Anchorage Museum of History & Art, Arctic Wild, Mat-Su Borough and Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.

We are grateful for the donations of water, safety vests, award prizes, door prizes and more that contributed greatly to the success of the race. And, of course, we could not have done it without the many volunteers who came forward to donate their time and expertise for this event. Thank you, volunteers.

Congratulations to our fastest 10K runner, Calvin Edward, our fastest 5K runner, Erin Scvorc, our fastest Kids Dash runner, Caleb Gates, and all event participants for completing the race. You’re all winners.

The race committee is already making plans to ensure next year’s run is even bigger and better. Portable restrooms were provided this year, but future race participants and refuge users will enjoy the convenience of new, permanent restrooms at both Cottonwood Creek and Reflections Lake.

The Cottonwood Creek restrooms will be installed in spring 2011 thanks to legislative funds secured by Rep. Bill Stolze. The restrooms at Reflections Lake are due to a joint effort of the Mat-Su Borough and Alaska Department of Fish & Game.

We sincerely thank all the above-mentioned individuals and entities for their support of these much-needed public facilities. Ongoing partnerships such as these, as well as support from our member contributors, greatly enhance the experience at one of Alaska’s most important and accessible public lands resource.

We hope to see you out at your refuge soon.

Randi Perlman,

executive director

Alaskans for Palmer

Hay Flats