Classic 2013 Preliminary Report

This just in . . .

The 2013 Classic took 7 1/2 days to finish this year.  Five out of thirteen racers finished. 

That's all the info I have for now but I should have more soon. 

AlaskaCross 13

The AlaskaCross race just finished a few days ago. Here are a couple links to news articles about this year's race.

News Miner Pre-Race Article

News Miner Post-Race Article


Also, check out the finish line sign-in sheet. 

Tyler Johnson

For everyone interested in the National Geographic Ultimate Survival Alaska show - Tyler Johnson, who is one of the contestants, just put up a new website.  http://www.tylerdjohnson.com/

2013 Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic

For everyone who doesn't yet have an application for the 2013 race here it is straight from Luc Mehl.  
______________________________________

Show time! The 32nd Wilderness Classic, Thompson Pass to McCarthy, will start June 23rd.

Follow the links below for race information and application. I'm leaving May 19th for a month without communication, so please get questions, concerns, and rookie applications to me before May 19th. After May 19th, please direct question to Team Heavy:

Rob Kehrer, robkehrer@gci.net

Greg Mills, gregthebrewer@gmail.com

Deadlines:

• Rookie Racer Applications: May 19th (soft deadline... I can't help you much after that, but the other guys can)
• Returning Racer Applications: June 21st (but please let me know sooner!)
• Liability Release, $100 suggested donation: June 21st

2013 Application

2013 Information and Liability Release

2013 race info webpage

2012 Results/Links

National Geographic Ultimate Survival Alaska Part Duex

In my last post I overlooked the fact that another one of the participants on the show is an experienced wilderness racer.  Brent Sass is an AlaskAcross veteran, 2007, Chena to Circle, 75+ mi., ~30hrs. 3rd to arrive.

You can register your social media vote for Brent and Tyler on the Nat Geo website. 

Ultimate Survival Alaska

Ultimate Survival Alaska - National Geographic

National Geographic has a new series debuting on May 12, 2013.  The show looks like a combination of the Wilderness Classic and the original reality show Survivor.  Best of all, the series is filmed in the real Alaskan wilderness with real Alaskan hardmen.  Don't miss it! 

Tyler Johnson, veteran and winner of the Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic is one of the participants. 

Ultimate Survival Alaska - National Geographic Show

New Poll - Commercialize the Classic

A number of people were quite amused by the last poll about training for the Classic so I posted a new poll about the fundamental format of the race.  You can find it in the right column of the blog. 

Speaking of race organizing . . . this is a good opportunity to thank current race organizer Luc Mehl for doing a bang-up job with the race. 

Casting Call

If you wished you hadn't missed the last casting call, you're in luck.  Here's another opportunity to answer your call to fame.  

 

CASTING CALLING: ALASKAN ADVENTURERS

Are you the life of the party? Are you the ham of your friends?

Are you always hogging the spotlight?

Are you a logger, fisherman, bush pilot, or a "true Alaskan"?

If you have a big personality and love to be on camera, we want to hear from you!!

A new television show is looking for people that live or work in Alaska to be the stars of the next great adventure show.

If you are a rugged Alaskan with a thirst for adventure, then you might be just what we're looking for!

To be considered, please email us at CastingSHP@gmail.com with the subject line: "True Alaskan." All inquiries MUST include 3-5 photos, a brief bio and any video you might have.

Deadline for submissions is April 26th, so submit your name today!

AlaskAcross 13 and New Poll

I posted a new poll off in the sidebar.  And speaking of training . . . if you haven't started training yet for this summer's adventure races, you should. 

The 2013 AlaskAcross race will traverse the Clearwater Mountains and the Ahtna Plateau starting at Old Denali and ending at Meier's Lake.  Sign up now for the June 13 start date. 

 
Here are several pictures from the 2012 AlaskAcross race. 


 Ross

 Dial

 Gillis

Ross

 Tarandus

Gillis above Meier's Lake.  AKX Wildermeister.  2 days 5 hours 44 minutes.  

January Motivation

As I went out this morning for a hard five mile run my neighborhood was fairly quiet.  Most everyone was still sleeping and I had the two lane road to myself for about a mile before even a single car went past.  I was able to lose myself in thought as I chugged up the hill until I ran past the house with my good friend Mr. Pitbull.

I've run past this dog so many times I know every little quirk it has.  It sees me coming and crouches down, eyeing me until I'm at the closest I'll be to it's yard and then it sprints off at top speed toward me.  It knows how far it can go before the thick chain will jerk it backwards so it jumps into the air at just the right time.  It flies through the air before snapping backwards and then stands there growling at me until I disappear off into the distance. 

This dog easily weighs well over 100 lbs and I can see its muscles rippling when it runs at me.  It's a pure, unadulterated killing machine and would love to rip my head off.  Despite the fear of having my leg torn off on a deserted section of road, I love this dog.  It always provides me with a sorely needed surge of adrenaline and boosts my running speed significantly on a steep section of the road.

On the way back down the hill I'm running faster and can get past Mr. Pitbull's house before he knows what's going on.  Sometimes I taunt him just for good measure and payback.  "Hi, doggy.  Aren't you just a sweet little doggy?  See you tomorrow, enjoy that chain around your neck."

Sometimes you can find motivation in the most unusual things.  Search hard and use what you can find for mid-winter motivation.  Speaking of running, I put up a new poll in the sidebar.  Check it out.