Challenge Alaska announced today, plans for the 25th Anniversary version of the longest wheelchair and handcycle race in the world, the Sadler’s Alaska Challenge. The event, designated previously under the names “Sadler’s Ultra Challenge” and the “Midnight Sun Ultra Challenge” is known as the toughest race in the world for wheelchair athletes, and organizers at Challenge Alaska – who owns and operates the race – are planning something very special for the 25th Anniversary event, which will take place in the summer of 2009.
“This race has developed a reputation as the best race in the world, and is a ‘must do’ for athletes with disabilities from all over the world, so we’ve decided to raise the bar even higher for the 25th anniversary in 2009.” said event co-director, Heather Plucinski.
With the announcement of the special 25th Anniversary race, comes another announcement of an abbreviated race for 2008. “In order for us to out-do ourselves and make an event that is already incredible, even more incredible, we have made the difficult decision to scale down our efforts in 2008 while we develop an implementation plan for the 2009 anniversary race.” said co-director, Ian Lawless. “This event is a labor of love for us, but it also takes an entire year to plan and implement as it is.”
For 2008, Plucinski and Lawless will invite a handful of athletes from in and outside of Alaska to ride the proposed route and help them create a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle for 2009. “There’s no way I was going to let them skip a year of running this race!” said 23-time participant, Larry Coutermarsh, who rode 367 miles all alone one year when organizers threatened to cancel the event. Coutermarsh will be one of the athletes helping design the 25th Anniversary event, and will be joined by Challenge Alaska Board member, Kevin Jackson (who has competed in the race and also works for the Alaska Department of Transportation) as well as a yet-to-be-named former race winner.
Possible modifications to the race include a course change, more media coverage, revised racing categories, and showcasing different parts of the state. “The Fairbanks to Anchorage route is the traditional race course, and it’s tried and true. However, there has been some discussion about showcasing different parts of the state as well, and we have been looking at roads throughout the state as potential additions for the 25th Anniversary version.” said Plucinski. “This race is unique in that we simultaneously cater to the best athletes in the world as well as to first-time racers – many from Alaska – and we have to create a solidly competitive, safe, scenic, and achievable race course for everybody.” added Lawless.
Title sponsor of the event, Anchorage-based Sadler’s Home Furnishings, has been the namesake for the event since 1994, and has signed on to support the 25th Anniversary edition. “There is nothing like this race anywhere in the world, and we are excited to a part of the milestone, silver anniversary event in 2009.” said Dave Cavitt, President of Sadler’s Home Furnishings. Sadler’s is also supporting Challenge Alaska’s reconnaissance mission in 2008 and Cavitt has plans to attend the 25th Anniversary event in person, as he did in 2006.
For more information about the race, please visit the Challenge Alaska website at www.challengealaska.org or call the Challenge Alaska office at 907.344.7399.
See John Carpenter's report below...note that the Sadler's portion is 3:40 in to the sports cast.
Published: November 7, 2007
Last Modified: November 7, 2007 at 03:41 AM
Sadler's Ultra Challenge, the world's longest wheelchair and handcycle race, announced it will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2009 with course changes.
The Challenge route traditionally runs from Fairbanks to Anchorage. But Heather Plucinski of Challenge Alaska said course modifications will showcase different parts of the state. Racing categories will be revised too.
Challenge Alaska board member Kevin Jackson and Larry Coutermarsh, a 23-time Ultra Challenge racer, will help design the new 2009 course.
Meanwhile, the 2008 race will be scaled down to allow organizers needed time to plan the silver-anniversary event the following summer.
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