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

The fifth annual Takshanuk Ridge Run will take place during the state fair weekend this year, despite last minute doubts of whether enough people would sign up.

"In typical Haines fashion, everybody watches the weather and waits to see if they'll do it," said Adam McMahan, a co-organizer of the race.

He said as of Tuesday, 10 people had registered online, and he expected more in the days leading up to Sunday's race.

The race is an extreme, 11.5-mile challenge for runners. The course begins at the 7 Mile trailhead. From there, it rises quickly through the spruce forest up to 7 Mile Saddle, and continues on to the 3,920 summit in alpine tundra.

"You have 360 degree views of the Lynn Canal, looking at all the water, the mountain ranges and the rivers," said McMahan. "It's spectacular."

From there, it follows the ridge to Mount Ripinsky, and drops down to the Skyline Trailhead, before finishing with a road run through town to the Haines Brewing Company parking lot, where finishers will get a free beer or root beer.

The current overall course record holder is Garrett Montgomery, who won last year in 2:38.

McMahan said the run was conceived a few years ago when he and co-organizer Jordan Baumgartner realized the quality of the trails they had in Haines.

"(We) wanted to recognize we have an amazing alpine skyline ridge trail in our backyard, and that it would be a great venue for a trail run," he said.

The event was previously held in August, but this year organizers wanted to see if they could attract more participants by hosting it when people are in town for the state fair. In the past, the event has attracted a field of up to about 20 people.

Participants can register online until 7:45 a.m. Sunday. The race starts at 7 Mile at 8 a.m., and there will be a shuttle from the Haines Visitor Center at 7:30 a.m.