With changes to the course, Susitna 100 organizers urge participants to expect anything

WASILLA – The Susitna 100, a tradition spanning more than 22 years, plans for anything each year, according to vice president Erin Kitteredge. She said that the heavy overflow conditions and forecast of cold weather and snow will all be a factor for this year’s race.

“It’s always a gamble. We have had 40 above. We’ve had 25 below,” Kitteredge said.

Kitteredge said that the trail conditions looked fair so far but anything could happen. She said that after the Iron Dog changed its course for the 2019 race due to warm weather, the Susitna 100 and 50 races altered their course to follow suit in order to not clash and adapt to this year’s weather conditions. Whatever happens, if the race stays the course, Kitteredge said that the racers should expect anything.

“You need to not only be physically in tune, you have to have the right attitude,” Kitteredge said.

Kitteredge said that racers need to complete the Little Su 50-kilometer race in 12 hours and the Susitna 100-K in 48 hours after meeting the gear requirements.

“It’s a grueling race, but everyone is always in a good mood,” Kitteredge said.

Each racer is required specific amounts of gear for the race and an unexpected overnight. She said that racers face cold, dark and long periods of isolations each year but by the majority, manage to maintain supportive and endearing points of view which is one of her favorite parts of event.

“You to not only be physically in tuned, you have to have the right attitude,” Kitteredge said.

The Susitna 100 race and the Little Su 50 races both challenge each racer to trek on bike, ski or foot for an all intensive, Alaskan wilderness, long-distance, endurance challenge. Both races will start and finish at the Martin Buser Happy Trails Kennel in Big Lake. Kitteredge said that the 50-K race sold out “in a matter of hours.”

“It’s really popular,” Kitteredge said.

Kitteredge said that each year, there’s a huge turnout for both repeat racers and repeat volunteers. She said that there are about 30 volunteers, 125 Little Su racers and 136 100-K racers. There are 61 veteran racers this year, according to Kitteredge. She said that the youngest racer this year is 23 years old and the oldest is 72. She also noted that four countries and 13 states will be represented I this year’s race, which is not unusual since it annual draws people from around the world. This year’s foreign racers will be coming from Columbia, Italy, France and South Africa.

“That’s pretty standard,” Kitteredge said.

Kitteredge said that participating racers are donating funds to the Susitna 100’s military scholarship program. She said that every branch of the U.S. military has participated in years past and this year the Army and Air Force will be featured in the race. She also noted that on average, about three to five racers in each year’s race are U.S. military.

The Susitna 100 and Little Su 50 races start Saturday with the 100 at 9 a.m. and 50 at 11 a.m. For more information, see susitna100.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com