Sourdough River Run

The view from the deck at Pike's, at the Start.

First time in years that everything has cooperated to provide us with the entire width of the Chena River to run on. Because the river is so solid this year (no overflow and no open water west of Pike's Landing), snow machines haven't packed down one trail on the river, but have been running over the entire width instead. The result: there was no firm surface to run on - no one solid path to follow down the river. It was all packed fairly well, but the surface was soft. Footing was a little tough, but that builds character. Even with the extra half-mile that we ran this year, compare this year's winning time (28:18) with last years winning time (22:07), when the race was run on the road, and you can see that the river course was tough. But our unique Sourdough River Run, did return to it's roots.

Forty-one runners, and nearly as many dogs, enjoyed the dazzling brilliance of the sun on the snow. Mike Kramer was first with a time of 28:18, and Michelle Mitchell was the first woman, and 8th overall, with a time of 31:34.

Photos and photo editing courtesy of JFM Videos.