July 8, 2008 (Seward, AK) – University of Anchorage-Alaska’s head ski coach Trond Flagstaff stepped away from his coaching role for a day to put on a competitors bib. It has become a tradition for Flagstaff, as it has for many other Nordic skiers to head to Seward, AK every July 4th for the annual running of Mt. Marathon.

According to Seward.com, “The foot race is a climb and descent on Mt. Marathon – a mile and a half up (2.4km) and a mile and a half down, complete with cliffs, scree fields, waterfalls, and a spectacular view. This annual event draws runners from around the world. Over the years, this home town historical event has drawn increased participation – resulted in new milestones. A total of 54 women finished the first-ever women’s race in 1985. Juniors began logging their records in 1994, and 2005 heralded the beginning of the “staggered start” for the senior races. The popular Mini Marathon race starts them out young – toddling just a few feet to victory! The tradition of the Mt. Marathon Race, according to folklore, began when two sourdoughs had an argument about whether it was possible to climb and descend the mountain in less than one hour”.

Flagstaff, a three-time runner up – twice by just 12 seconds – left little doubt who would be this year’s champion as he blazed back down the mountain to record the third fastest time in 81 years. In second place was Sam Hill, a 2:30 marathoner who led by up to 55 seconds at the top of the mountain. Just under a minute behind Hill in third place was Matias Saari a sports reporter with the Fairbanks Daily News Minor, who often covered US Nordic ski news and is a contributing writer for Ski Trax.

Rookie Mt. Marathoner Holly Brooks who is a coach with the Alaska Pacific University crossed the line in second place behind Cedar Bourgeois who won her 5th straight title. Following Brooks across the line was last year’s second place finisher Nicole Deyong a member of the Fischer Craft Ski team.

Two-time runner up and US Ski Team star, Kikkan Randall, sat out this year’s event due to the high risk of injury on the descent as she remains on blood thinners following her blood clot incident in early spring.

For full results check out Seward AK News. For a full report, click here.