KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source | Hard-core trail running in the Mat-Su
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by Charlie Sokaitis
Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- As if traversing 14 miles of flat terrain isn't hard enough for runners.
The Matanuska Peak Challenge provides 14 miles of mountain scrambling, matching athletes up against two big peaks in a contest that requires 9,000 feet of vertical gain, round trip.
Just to complete this trail makes for a hearty competitor. But to win shows true grit and a pair of runners do just that.
Rachel James crossed the line with a time of 3 hours, 58 minutes and 40 seconds for the ladies.
But it's men's winner Harlo Robinson who grabs the headlines with a course-record of three hours, four minutes and six seconds.
"I really think to set a record everything has to work -- and the conditions were perfect," he said. "I wish I had a story of misadventure to tell you but for the sake of running a great race I'm happy their wasn't."
Robinson called it an ideal race and personal best.
Contact Charlie Sokaitis at csokaitis@ktuu.com
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