July 4, 2009 – Seward and Mount Marathon Race

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

 

 And let us thank all those who have kept us independent and free.

Lots of festivities here in Seward so this morning we checked some of it out. 

First a stop at the Iditarod Marker.  The Iditarod Trail was a major mail trail in Alaska and it started here in Seward.   Note – this is not to be confused with the Iditarod Race.

Today was the Mount Marathon race.  “It started out as a bar bet about 90 years ago, according to local lore, and has become one of Alaska's oldest foot races and North America's toughest endurance marathon.  The first race was run in 1908 on an informal bet between a local bartender and a geologist. The bartender's challenge was to run from that spot, to the top of — what was then Mount Isabelle — and back, in under an hour. His finishing time of 62 minutes didn't win him the compass and map he'd wagered for, but they carved his name on the wall and challenged anyone in town to beat him.

The race begins downtown, on Fourth and Jefferson, in front of the First National Bank, and ends a block south of where it began, on Fourth and Adams. The halfway point is a stone marker atop Mount Marathon, 3022 feet above sea level, and a mile and a half from the finish line. The total race course distance is about 3.1 miles (5 kilometers). Leading racers will typically reach the peak from the starting line in 33–40 minutes, and reach the finish line from the peak in 10–15 minutes. Average speed uphill is 2 mph. Average speed downhill is 12 mph.”

And it is impressive to watch.  Here is the mountain:

If you look real close, you can see people in the center of the photo right at the tree line:

I hung around town and waited for the first few women to make it to the finish line – WOW!  How courageous and fit.   And on my way back found Andy checking them out with the binoculars – LOL!!

 

The men’s race was held in the afternoon and we watched that from our space in front of the MH.  In the picture below you can see all the dust from the individuals coming down the mountain – they were booking!!!

We went to the Legion for supper and had RIBS – MMMMMM.   And enjoyed another campfire with our neighbors, Howard and Marlys.

Hope you all had a great holiday.