<\/a>A total of 135 runners set out from the starting line of the Juneau Ridge Race at Cope Park on Sunday. The 15-mile race course went to the top of Mount Juneau and along the ridge before returning to the park. (Mark Sabbatini \/ Juneau Empire)<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Others glissaded down patches of snow by the seat of whatever they were wearing, trying to stay both injury-free and avoid problems like cramps. Among those carrying ski poles was Alex Andrews, a Juneau resident participating in the race for the fourth time, who said the poles provided balance during the steep sections going up and down.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
“Often you’re power hiking up and your hands are your thighs,” he said. “This gives you a bit more rhythm.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
Completion times for the race are typically between 2 ¼ and six hours, according to organizers. Andrews said he was hoping to finish in less than three hours, which would mean jogging along the switchbacks up Mount Juneau while hiking the steepest portions.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
Zack Bursell, 30, of Juneau won the men’s division with a time of 2 hours, 7 minutes and 37 seconds, more than three minutes ahead of second-place finisher Lars Arneson, 33, of Anchorage. Abby Jahn, 30, of Juneau, was the top women’s finisher with a time of 2 hours, 39 minutes and 39 seconds, about eight minutes ahead of Heather Arneson, 31, of Anchorage.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
The challenge and location of the mountain race attracted Lyn Bollen, 62, a Colorado resident who said she’s run nearly 70 marathons, and signed up along with her daughter, Kate, who participated in the Juneau Icefield Program several years ago.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
“My daughter lives in Anchorage and we love to do crazy stuff together — and I love Juneau,” Bollen said.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
<\/a>Lauren Tanel, left, shows an emergency space blanket to Sarah Lucas during an equipment check before the Juneau Ridge Race on Sunday at Cope Park. Participants in the race were also required to carry a jacket, long-sleeve shirt, hat, gloves, water and food. (Mark Sabbatini \/ Juneau Empire)<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
She said she was participating for the experience rather than the competition, and expected the course to be a challenge despite her extensive running history.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
“It’s going to be hard just because it’s Alaska,” she said. “It’s foreign. It’s steep. Plus I’m a lot older than I used to be.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
For those who were there to compete, race announcer Geoff Roes reminded participants just before the start that the men’s and women’s division winners receive an automatic invite to the Mount Marathon Race in Seward in July.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
“That’s one of the hardest races in the country — in the world — to get into,” he said. “Take the entry if you get into the race.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t