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 intend to do it next year. We fully expect it to double or triple in size.”
The race was sponsored by dozens of local and national companies and spearheaded by Alaska Clean Water Advocacy to raise awareness for protecting the Chilkat River.
First place winners in the men’s, women’s and team divisions won $250 prizes. Second and third place finishers won prizes from sponsors.
Saturday ended with a celebration and music for racers and volunteers at Letnikof Pavilion.
Results:
First Place
Men – Ross Ellingwood, Haines, 3:03:01
Women – Alisa Beske, Haines, 3:21:47
Team – A’s Ablaze: Alisha Falberg and Adam Moser, Juneau, 3:05:41
Second Place
Men – Dylan Nelson, Haines, 3:15:02
Women – Abigail Myers, Skagway, 3:46:56
Team – SEACC: Bryn Fluharty and Dave Alpert, Juneau, 3:10:55
Third Place
Men – Rustin Gooden, South Carolina, 3:33:20
Women – Iliana Stehelin, 3:52:09
Team – Border Buddies: Thom Ely, Haley Henderson and Antonia Manolis, Haines and Whitehorse, 3:11:17
Senior Division
First Place – Wayne Smith, Whitehorse, 3:35:18