On Wednesday we were ready to tackle Mt. Marathon.
History of the race at Mt. Marathon:
Every 4th of July since 1908 there is a runners race that goes up Mt Marathon. The race begins downtown, on Fourth and Jefferson, in front of the First National Bank, and ends a block south of where it began, on Fourth and Adams. The halfway point is a stone marker[1] atop Mount Marathon, 3022 feet (921 m) above sea level, and a mile and a half from the finish line. The total race course distance is about 3.1 miles (5 kilometers). Leading racers will typically reach the peak from the starting line in 33–40 minutes, and reach the finish line from the peak in 10–15 minutes. Average speed uphill is 2 mph. Average speed downhill is 12 mph. It is not uncommon for the racers who finish to cross the finish line injured or bleeding and covered in mud.
Well we found the place where the runners start to climb the mountain but it was way too steep for Suzanne and I. So we headed over to where the jeep trail goes up the mountain. This trail is also steep and as before our Stress test was free. The climb is very steep for a long way and we were only going to a section where we left the runners trail and go to a waterfall that can be seen from the main highway in Seward. We made it to this junction and continued on for about a half mile until we got a little worried about BEARS. A decision was made and it was the correct one to go back to the truck. I forgot to mention when we started the trail we saw someone who had just come down from the trail and she said "do you have a gun or bear spray?" well we have neither. We made it back to the truck unharmed and still felt we had a good hike.
We went back to the waterfront, had lunch and watched through the binoculers as a few people were making it to the top. I can't even imagine trying to make that climb!
On to Willow, Alaska tomorrow.
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| where the runners enter the mountain |
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| view from our hikes highest point |
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| Bald Eagles Nest |
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