Updated and expanded, this new edition of Mount Marathon has the latest race details of the winners, their records, and profiles of the newest champion runners. America’s third oldest footrace is a testament to extreme sports and endurance. Starting at sea level, competitors run up and down a 2,992 foot mountain in Seward, Alaska, and they have to do it in under one hour. The challenge requires a daunting effort that takes runners up some 60-degree slopes on snow and rocks to the summit, and then back down again. The first race in 1909 did not beat the one hour mark, but the course record set in 1981 still stands at 43 minutes and 23 second. The history of this frontier race, from the legend that started it to interviews with many of those how have taken the challenge, and the records set throughout the years by men, women, and age groups, including the race of 2011, makes fascinating reading for runners, spectators, and all who love to read about extreme footraces.

Millie Spezialy, author and educator, started running at the age of fifty when the youngest of her six sons was in high school. Since then she has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, trekked in the Himalayas, hiked the Inca Trail, won age-group medals in local, national, and international runs, and completed eleven Mount Marathon races. In June 2009, she ran California's Dipsea, the second oldest footrace in America.

Categories

• Special Interest - Sports
• Running & Jogging
• United States - West - Pacific (General)

Product Details

ISBN: 9780882408910
Publisher: Alaska Northwest Books
Publication Date: June 1st, 2012
Pages: 128

“Just in time for the 2012 race, the second edition of “Mount Marathon: Alaska’s Great Footrace” is available…. Author Millie Spezialy writes about the legends, champions and people of the annual Mount Marathon Race in Seward on Independence Day. Spezialy covers the colorful history of the grueling race from its 1909 beginning to the present day. The profiles of champions, long time competitors and characters reflect what makes the race attractive to runners and spectators. Spezialy also profiles the people who make the race happen — race directors and volunteers.  Included in the book are lists of winners and their race times.

All of the above and Spezialy’s easy-to-read writing style make the book one that those interested in the race will enjoy.

Spezialy began running 20 years ago and competed in 14 Mount Marathon Races and, at 70 years old, plans to run in this year’s race.”

                        ---The Seward Phoenix LOG, Seward, AK