Wilcox posts 2nd-fastest time ever at Navad 1000 in Switzerland

Anchorage’s Lael Wilcox made history at the Navad 1000 in Switzerland as she pedaled her bike faster than any woman has in the event’s four-year history.

This year she finished second overall with a time that would have been good enough to win in each of the previous three years.

The Navad 1000 is a 1,000-kilometer bikepacking race that is part endurance test and part awesome adventure for extreme solo cyclists.

“no entry fee, no outside support, no prizemoney, no excuses, nonstop,” reads the race website.

Wilcox, of East High fame, is a world-class rider and one of the sport’s most recognized names. Her rise has come fast.

The 30-year-old joined the bikepacking circuit in 2015 and immediately turned into record-breaking performances in premier races like the 1,700-mile Baja Divide, 4,400-mile Trans Am Race and 2,745-mile Tour Divide.

At the Navad 1000 (621 miles), Wilcox finished in 4 days, 10 hours and 15 minutes. She’s only the second woman to finish in race history.

The winner was a man from the Czech Republic who finished with a record time of 4 days, 4 hours, 45 minutes. Last year’s winner crossed in 5:08:15.