Alaska: Crow Pass Crossing 2008

If you've ever flown into Anchorage, you will have seen that the city is on a peninsula, bounded on three sides (S, W, N) by water and on the fourth, by mountains. This is the Chugach Mountain range, truly Anchorage's playground. My husband, Skip, grew up in Anchorage, skiing and hiking in these mountains. He said that the best part of living in Anchorage was that the real Alaska was only 20 minutes away--in the Chugach. Twenty five years ago, a race was organized through these mountains. I had hiked the trail before, was in better shape back then, and I always meant to run this race, but I never quite managed to. This is a wonderful area, if you're prepared and experienced. But you have to go in, knowing some of the problems you might face. The organizers of the race emphasize self-reliance. At least one person gets seriously injured each race and cell phone coverage is spotty to non-existent. As part of being self-reliant, connect with someone who has run this race and get as much information as you can. For example, Michael Logsdon has a nice first hand report online about running the race in 2006. Check out his site.

• First and foremost, if you're going to run, enter now. The Crow Pass Crossing, sponsored by the University of Alaska Milers Booster Club, is a limited entry run, capped this year at 130 entrants. Last year, there were still slots left about a month (6/26/07) before the race (7/21/07). Ever talked to someone who didn't enter a race in time? I have. It's not fun. Sign up before 5 PM, June 4th!
• Second, if you read the race application, there is a mandatory race meeting on Friday, July 18th at the Wells Fargo Sports Center on the University of Alaska (UAA) campus. Be there! This is the only time they will hand out numbers and last minute race information. This year, there was some confusion about what time the race meeting was supposed to take place. It's on you, the runner, to be there at the right time. Read the race entry form carefully so you don't get burned. Remember, Minnow wants you to run, because she can't.
• Third, the race starts in Girdwood, which is a small community south of Anchorage. (technically, Girdwood is part of the Municipality of Anchorage), but not in the community itself--it's really another six miles out of town. You have to head up Crow Mine Road to the Crow Pass Trailhead.
• The course itself is no picnic. The race organizers strongly recommend that you hike the trail at least once before attempting the race (hmm-the three day hike nearly killed me before--I guess I'm just not cut out for running mountains).
• Read the entry requirements--you have to be able to run long and fast--roughly 8 minute miles at the half marathon distance.
• The race has a time limit of 6 hours. If you're not at Eagle River when the 6 hours bell has rung, your race is over. Last year, the women's times ranged from 3:58 to 5:54 and the men's times from 3:07 to 5:58.
• There is also a mandatory equipment rule. Take it seriously. The race organizers do. Don't get busted for not having your stuff with you.
• Water supply: you can't rely on that mountain stream because it may be teeming with giardia, the cause of backpacker's disease or cryptosporidium--neither of which is an organism that you want to retain as a memory of the race. What are you going to do for water? Are you going to go the filtration, purification or sterilization route?
• Plants: You have to know your Alaskan vegetation, too, or the innocuous cow parsnip and devils club may do you in. The nettles aren't so hot, either.

The total up and down (otherwise known as gradient) is 5,959 feet, with a peak elevation gain of 3,888 feet. Then you have to consider trail conditions as well as your own personal conditioning--are you up to 24 miles in the mountains? There is a glacial river crossing (no bridge) of the upper Eagle River toward the end of the race, just when you're the most tired and your decision making capacity is not as good. When we hiked, we took off our boots, put on our running shoes and walked through the stream, which was thigh high and worrisome. If you're running this race, have a plan for this area. What will you do if the river is high and cold? Are you going to get your shoes wet?

I probably say this once a hub, but there are bears everywhere, especially in the mountains (first part of the race)! There are bears in the woods (after you cross the river). The salmon are usually running this time of year, so the bears are out in full force, stocking up for the winter. Have a plan for what you will do if you run across a bear.

The race ends in Eagle River, a community north of Anchorage (okay, technically part of Anchorage, and more so with urban sprawl). This means that it is a point to point race, so you'll need a support team to get you to the race and to pick you up on the other end.

Race information: Mandatory bib pick-up & meeting 7/18. Race day: 6 am meeting - Crow Pass Trailhead. Distance: 24 miles - Cross Pass Trail, Girdwood to Eagle River Visitor's Center. Race time 7 am. Entry fee: $60 - Limited to 130 entrants. Rough cross-country & mountain trail. Contact: Mike Friess 786-1325 anmaf@uaa.alaska.edu. Sponsored by: UAA Milers Booster Club

Registration forms available on-line 5/9 @ http://www.goseawolves.com/

You can get more information on the trail by researching guidebooks (I'd look at more than one). This trail is part of the National Historic Iditarod Trail. Skip & I are major map freaks, so we'd also recommend buying a topographic map with enough detail that you feel comfortable knowing where you're going. For most of us, there's always going to be someone ahead we can follow, but I like the idea of semper paratus .

For safety information, check out the Alaska Department of Natural Resources website: http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/safety/index.htm

6/1/08: Looks like the number of slots has been upped to 150. However, from reading the race application, which I'm assuming you have, the organizers will start assigning slots after the June 4th deadline. If there are more entrants than slots at that point, they'll go to a lottery system.

6/4/08: Today was the first deadline for entry. Check the seawolves.com website on Friday to see if you made it in.

6/5/08: And then let me know if you did. If I can't run Crow Pass Crossing myself, I'd be thrilled to hear from people who will. Have you hiked the trail yet? Got your gear? How are you training for it? Where are you from? Inquiring minds want to know.

7/10/08 I checked the website. As of today, there were still about 30 spots left, so if you're going to run, sign up now. And good luck!

7/20/08: Congratulations to Eric Strabel for his first place finish with a time of 3:09:02.5 and Eeva Latosuo for her 1st place finish in 4:02:46.7! Great job!