Kendall Kramer competes at the Broken Arrow Skyrace. Photo by Andy Cochrane
Whether it be on the ski trails or in the mountains, Kendall Kramer is no stranger when it comes to competing on the world’s biggest stages.
The 23-year-old from Fairbanks finished fourth at the USATF Uphill Mountain Running Championships in Olympic Valley, Calif., qualifying for the WMRA Mountain Running World Cup. Kramer conquered the 3.61-mile race that featured 2,840 feet of elevation gain, reaching the 9,000-foot summit of Washeshu Peak in 48 minutes, 14 seconds.
The course navigates steep, technical terrain and finishes on an exposed ridgeline after ascending the infamous “Stairway to Heaven” ladder.
Kramer, an Olympian and a member of the U.S. Ski Team, finished 11th among women and sixth for Americans in the Broken Arrow Ascent. But because she was the fourth American woman across the line in the USATF division, the former two-time NCAA champion for UAF punched her ticket to the Mountain Running World Cup.
The World Cup Uphill Final is slated to be held in Québec, Canada, in October.
Kramer displays her newest piece of hardware. Photo by Susan Schwartz
Olympian Anna Gibson of Wyoming won the race in 43:15, followed by Nevada’s Erin Moyer (46:58) in second and Arizona’s Stephanie Bruce (47:55) in third.
Fairbanks’ Jenna DiFolco — Kramer’s former West Valley teammate and a former UAA skier — finished six minutes later in 54:41.
Kramer also competed in the 23-kilometer race, taking 30th in 2:29:12.
Eagle River’s Christopher Kirk completed the triple crown (Ascent, 23K & 46K), which included over 46 miles of racing and 16,000 feet of elevation gain, placing fifth for men in 8:41:29.
Next up for Kramer will be the famed Mount Marathon Race, as the 2024 runner-up will be in the mix for the coveted title.
Here are the results for those who listed Alaska as their home state:
Broken Arrow Skyrace
Alaska Results
Ascent
Kendall Kramer, Fairbanks, 48:14
Christopher Kirk, Eagle River, 48:39
Jenna DiFolco, Fairbanks, 54:41
John Clark, Palmer, 1:15:44
Karen Looney, Palmer, 1:16:33
Brian Fish, Palmer, 1:27:04
11K
Rachel Klein, Girdwood, 1:25:26
John Clark, Palmer, 1:28:27
Karen Looney, Palmer, 1:28:47
Brian Fish, Palmer, 1:38:39
Patti Foldager, Hope, 1:45:32
Pamela Skogstad, Hope, 2:07:56
Amie Condon, Anchorage, 3:04:32
18K
Jennifer Anderson, Seward, 2:58:45
23K
Christopher Kirk, Eagle River, 2:25:23
Kendall Kramer, Fairbanks, 2:29:12
John Clark, Palmer, 4:22:05
46K
Christopher Kirk, Eagle River, 5:27:26
Triple Crown
Christopher Kirk, Eagle River, 8:41:29
Former Olympic teammate Jessie Diggins adds glitter to Kramer’s face. Photo by Andy Cochrane
