Athletes from Whitehorse to South Carolina compete in Haines

Haines athletes finished strong in the first Chilkat Challenge Triathlon Saturday.

About 40 people from Haines, Whitehorse, Juneau, Anchorage, Wasilla and South Carolina completed the eight-mile paddle, 20-mile bike ride and six-mile run. The race started at Mosquito Lake and followed the Chilkat River to Letnikof Cove.

Racers battled intermittent rain throughout the race, but organizer Gershon Cohen said it had little effect on racers.

“The race was a huge success,” Cohen said. “We certainly…