David Norris slashed 49 seconds off his previous Mount Marathon record by winning the brutal three-mile race up and down Seward’s landmark mountain in 40 minutes, 37 seconds.
An Alaska-grown cross-country skier who has called both Fairbanks and Anchorage home and now lives in Colorado, Norris is our Alaska Athlete of the Week.
The 33-year-old five-time champion has owned the course record in the storied race since 2016 when he recorded a 41:26 time in his rookie effort.
On Thursday he quickly built a big lead as he power-hiked up the steep slopes of Mount Marathon, making the climb to the 3,022-foot turnaround in less than 30 minutes. No other racer was in sight when he began his descent.
Norris, a longtime member of the U.S. Ski Team who now competes as an elite mountain runner, has won Mount Marathon all five times he’s entered the race.
Also receiving consideration:
Klaire Rhodes – The Anchorage runner became the fourth woman in Mount Marathon history to break 50 minutes, coasting to victory in a time of 49 minutes, 49 seconds.
Have a candidate in mind? Email us your nomination: info@alaskasportshall.org
