Hatcher Pass Marathon

Passing Summit Lake at mile 24

Support crew Ben & Laura fresh off the Yukon River

The scenery was reason enough to run the course

After several weeks of training it was finally time to run the first annual Hatcher Pass Marathon on Saturday. With a course profile resembling a very difficult treadmill program, I knew I was in for a doozy on my first full marathon. I was aiming for an 8 minute per mile pace and kept on target for more than half the race, arriving at mile 16 in 2:08. Then the course really started to climb. With the help of my support crew - Meghan, Ben, and Laura - who provided plenty of feed options (Ben even ran alongside for a few of the steepest miles) I was able to hold off a late challenge from a fellow racer just below the summit. When I crested the pass the sun was shining on the last mile - a steep descent to the finish where I crossed the line at 3:50:45. Although I ran slower than my goal, I learned a lot about long distance racing . Like labor, I have nearly forgotten the most painful parts of the race (e.g., when my left hip flexor refused to flex at miles 17-20) and look forward to another long trail race.