Second annual Chilkat Challenge Triathlon draws competitors from all over

Over the weekend Haines hosted athletes from Alaska, Canada and the lower 48 for the second annual Chilkat Challenge Triathlon. During the race, competitors paddle, cycle and run a nearly 40-mile course through the Chilkat Valley. 

Supporters cheer as competitors cross the finish line in front of a backdrop of white peaks and blue glaciers. The athletes have covered many miles by boat, bike and foot to get to Chilkat State Park.

The triathlon starts in Mosquito Lake approximately 30 miles north of the Haines townsite. From there, competitors paddle 8 miles down the Chilkat River in kayaks or on paddle boards. Once they reach the shore, racers mount bikes for a 22-mile ride down the Haines Highway to Fort Seward. At the fort, the athletes begin the final 8.5 mile run to Chilkat State Park.

Race marshal Gershon Cohen said that the route is supposed to highlight the importance of the Chilkat as a natural resource and recreational site.

“You know, everybody knows that we get food out of it, and everybody knows that it provides a lot of jobs for the community. It also provides tremendous recreational opportunities for the community, and we wanted to celebrate that. So we came up with the idea of having this race that’s in the river or along the river the whole way,” Cohen said.

Juneau residents Adam Moser and Alisha Falberg of team A’s Ablaze finished the race first with a time of 3 hours and 30 minutes. They are the reigning team champions of the Chilkat Challenge.  

Falberg rode in the cycling portion of the triathlon. In spite of the difficult road conditions due to construction on the Haines Highway, she said she was well-prepared.

“I trained a little bit harder this year, Falberg said. “The gravel section was a little bit sketchy, but we made it through. And we did the Kluane bike race two weeks ago, so we had been training for that and that is helpful.”  

Justin Dorn of Juneau won the men’s solo race with a time of 3 hours 34 minutes. He was followed by Chris Muse of Haines and Alex Linett of Skagway.

Haines residents took the top three spots for the women’s solo race. Alixanne Goodman finished in 3 hours and 51 minutes followed by Kayla Brewer and Alisa Beske.

Goodman competed in the triathlon last year on a team. When asked what the most difficult portion of the event was, Goodman said the final stretch was extremely challenging.

“They extended it by about three miles, and the last three miles are basically all uphill on a gravel road. Because the terrain changes and your legs are jelly, it’s painful,” Goodman said.

And how did Goodman celebrate?

“By eating lots of food and going to bed,” Goodman said.

Fifty-four people completed the triathlon on Sunday, up from about 40 competitors last year.