Ancorage, Alaska March 20, 2008 Challenge Alaska has made an official decision re: the 2008 "reconnaissance mission" for the Sadler's Alaska Challenge 25th Anniversary race, planned for 2009. THE POLICY: No racers who plan to compete in the 25th Anniversary Sadler's Alaska Challenge [2009], will be permitted to accompany race staff on the 2008 planning mission. According to event co-Director, Heather Plucinski of Challenge Alaska, organizers want to avoid any controversy over fairness. "The Sadler's Alaska Challenge has become known as a very prestigious race, and no race will be more competitive than the 25th Anniversary race in 2009...for that reason, we will be very strict about making the race fair, and are keeping the details of the 2009 event 'under wraps.' said Plucinski.

U.S. Handcycling's Ian Lawless, echoes Plucinski's sentiment: "In a year when we are not actually running a competitive race, the phone rang off the hook with people from all over the world who wanted to accompany us on the planning mission. In order to maintain a level playing field, we decided it wasn't a good idea for some athletes to become privy to event details while others were not."

Both Lawless and Plucinski are tight-lipped about the details of the race, and will only say that the race will be better than ever. Plucinski says the course will likely undergo a major change. "We're looking at all sorts of route ideas, including the Southeast, the Kenai, Valdez, and of course the traditional route in the interior...nothing's been decided yet."

According to Lawless, it's an event you shouldn't miss: "This race is always incredible, but if there's one year of the race you should absolutely sign-up for, it's the 25th Anniversary version....it's gonna rock!"

For more details, please visit ChallengeAlaska.org

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