Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

Breaking through fog, rain and gusts up to 30 mph, Garrett Montgomery handily won the third running of the Takshanuk Ridge Run Saturday, breaking his own record on the 11.5-race up, along and down Mount Ripinsky in 2:38.

Husband and wife Liam Cassidy and Tracy Wirak-Cassidy finished second and third, respectively, in 3:01 and 3:31. The event drew 15 participants.

Montgomery, 31, said he was impressed that Liam Cassidy, 49, stayed with him during the climb from 7 Mile Haines Highway to the top of 3,920, a peak of the same elevation located west of the Ripinsky Summit on Takshanuk Ridge.

"Liam could have overtaken me. When I got to the top, that's where I kind of excel," said Montgomery. "So I said, 'See you, Liam,' and I took off from there," he said.

Checking his watch when he reached Ripinsky Summit, Montgomery said he knew he was within striking distance of the course record of 2:40.

Despite how socked-in the mountain appeared from town, runners had about 50 yards of visibility, Montgomery said. It helped that he knows the trail "like the back of my hand" and flagged it with vibrant tape prior to the race, he added.

Montgomery packed water, bear spray, an air horn, snacks and electrolytes along the way. He wore a jacket and a wool shirt and used trekking poles. "Trekking poles are a must," he said.

He said he hiked up Ripinsky about eight times this year, including the week prior to the race for a swim in the small lake between the mountain's two summits. Two weeks ago he won Juneau's Nifty 50, a 50K mountain race that ranges Mount Roberts, Treadwell Trail and Salmon Creek.

After five years in Haines, Montgomery is moving to Colorado this fall, in part to enter more competitive mountain races, including ones more than 100 miles in the Lower 48 and Europe.

Other competitors and place standings included: 4) Max Graham, 3:35; 5) Hannah Clark, 3:51; 6) Josie Allen, 4:18; 7) Gen Bell, 4:18; 8) Jordan Baumgartner, 5:08; 9) Matt Whitman, 5:08. Other participants included Sue Libenson, Adam McMahan, Finn McMahan, Amanda Shea, Leslie Evenden and Yoa George.

Organizer Jordan Baumgartner said he plans to hold the event next year on the last day of the Southeast Alaska State Fair and expects to attract out-of-town competitors.