"Sitka Surprise"

The runners are off at the start of the Equinox Trail Marathon

This past weekend was our favorite weekend in the interior so far.  Although Denali was the most scenic, vibrant-colored place we had ever seen and our trip to Wrangell-St. Elias provided astonishing views from our alpine hike, neither was any match for the beauty of friendship.   Our wet, soggy friends from the Southeast were in town this weekend to visit us and complete the Equinox Trail Marathon in Fairbanks.   Between the Routon’s and Sam Scotchmer’s performance in the marathon, I am fairly confident that Sitka may now be regarded as the Running Mecca of Alaska.  

Sam at mile 8

Emily at mile 8, already in the lead

For anyone not familiar with the race, it is ranked as the fourth hardest marathon in the nation due to the rugged trail terrain, elevation gain and losses, and unpredictability of the weather.  It is also a stunningly beautiful run through the fall colors of Fairbanks, offering vistas of the valley floor after climbing to the top of Ester Dome and beyond.  Despite the difficulty of this course, Emily and Sam had times fast enough that would qualify them for the Boston Marathon if it were a qualifier course!  Sam ended up finishing 5^th overall with Aaron not far behind, coming in 8^th. 

Out of a field of 700 talented and tough Alaskan trail runners, this was quite the showing for Sitka.  But to really put Sitka on the running map, Emily surprised the talented field by winning the marathon in the women’s division.  As the Fairbanks Daily News Miner titled their article the next day, “Sitka Surprise” it was mentioned that not too often does an “unknown” runner take home the trophy! 

E. Clark Keeping A. Routon going with Gu handouts at the half-way mark

Emily, on the home stretch to snatch the women's marathon title

Pete about to pass off the baton to Ben

 Ben, Pete, and Nellie also competed in the marathon as relay runners.  All three ran their legs exceptionally well.  Ben ran the slightly downhill segment of the marathon in blazing speed.  Nellie’s team even ended up getting first place in the women’s relay division. Between all of my friends doing so well in the race, I was beaming with pride and feeling pretty lucky that I was associated with these now-celebrity runners!

Nellie, obviously not running  hard enough with that smile!

Despite the “Sitka Surprise” title of the newspaper article, Ben and I knew from the beginning that if hydration was the key to winning a marathon, then the Routons were going to do well.  The night before the race, while crashing at NellieLand (greatest accommodations of Fairbanks, aka Nellie’s house), the Routons were given the “princess room” on the second floor of the cabin.   To save on space, the stairs going to the second floor are nearly vertical, more akin to climbing a giant stepladder than stairs.  Ben, Sam, and I took the downstairs floor amid memory foam and sleeping pads piled on top of each other.  NellieLand takes their guest’s comfort seriously.   About 45 minutes after bedtime, we heard Aaron slowly making his way back down the ladder to go to the bathroom.  Shortly after Aaron made it back to the princess room, Emily followed suit down the ladder to the restroom.  And then another hour later, the process was repeated again.  After the second trip in two hours, I thought about how we really should have switched sleeping locations, because the sound of them crawling down the steep, precarious, mountain stairs while droggy scared me to death.  This became a much more frequent thought than I ever could have imagined as the Routons made their pilgrimages to the bathroom.  Between the two of them, 12 trips to the bathroom were made during the night.  Although, their hydration wasn’t cited as the key to their running success, this midnight observer is confident that this was the true secret to their victories.

Ben cruising to the finish

A trip to Delta Junction was made the next day to acquaint Em, Aaron, and Sam with our new home.  The Delta wind greeted the visitors with winds up to 75 mph.  A trip to Donnelly Dome was cut short as no one could stay out of the car for more than 5-10 seconds due to the power of the wind mixed with raindrops, resulting in a sensation similar to a hundred rubber bands snapping against your skin.  Instead, we took them for a short walk on the trails around our cabin, all of them creeping gingerly on their sore legs.   It was as if the race had made them gain 50 years in age.  Our neighbor literally thought Aaron was an elderly man after watching him walk down our driveway.  Through the grunts and cries of aching muscles and joints, the group made it to our private lake on the property as well as the infamous “Meatball House.”  

Four extremely tired runners and one happy bystander

Thankfully, the Routons and Sam saw the fall colors in delta on Sunday, because after the windstorm, we were left with barren trees, devoid of any leaves.  Our guests came in Fall, and after a mere 24 hour stay, left in Winter!  We were sad to say goodbye on Monday, but know that the laughter, smiles, and memories of their trip will help us get through the long winter ahead! 

Confidential to the Routons and Sam:  We hope the cheese tragedy of 2012 does not prevent further trips from occurring

Confidential to Nellie and Pete:  We hope the oatmeal incident of 2012 does not prevent us from visiting you in the future