tour of anchorage 2023

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Tour of Anchorage More Than Just a Ski and Bike Race Across Town

Olympic Gold medalist Kikkan Randall has skied in countless places around the globe and boasts that her hometown Tour of Anchorage race offers something unmatched.   

“It’s such a cool opportunity to race point-to-point in an urban environment,” says Randall, now a retired racer and executive director of the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage, which organizes the TOA. “That’s something I haven’t seen anywhere else.”   

Many ski marathons follow a loop and avoid urban areas, for obvious reasons — it’s not easy, or necessarily desirable, to ski through most cities. Not the Tour of Anchorage, which starts at Service High School on the Hillside and ends at Kincaid Park overlooking Cook Inlet.   

Not a single road is crossed, a small miracle made possible by using greenbelts and multiuse trails that include tunnels, bridges, and underpasses. Trails in the woods or along the coast are seamlessly mixed with routes that pass through neighborhoods and border busier roads.   

The event began in 1988, the winter after the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail was completed. Because no pedestrian bridge existed then, 170 intrepid skiers had to cross a busy Tudor Road where police stopped traffic and a carpet was laid down for safe passage.   

The Tour has come a long way since then. By the early 2000s, TOA was drawing upwards of 2,000 racers, making it among the largest Nordic ski events in North America. Participation now totals around 1,000 a year as skiers and snow bikers of all levels race — or tour — 25, 40 or 50 kilometers (31.1 miles).   

Snow bikers? Indeed. Acknowledging the growing popularity of fat biking, which originated in Alaska, the TOA in 2019 became the only event in the country to allow bikers to race the same course on the same day as the skiers (the bikers start in the afternoon to limit overlap). The bikers are generally faster than the skiers —the 50K bike record is 1 hour, 55 minutes while no skier has ever broken two hours — although in soft snow years the skiers have an advantage. The TOA is a unique opportunity for bikers to ride on trails including the arduous Spencer Loop and flowy Sisson Trail that are otherwise off-limits to them. The most ambitious bikers will first ski 50 kilometers, take a short break and then bike another 50K to complete the “Tour Double” category!   

I haven’t doubled (not yet), but I do have a personal history with the TOA.   

In one of my first ski marathons about 20 years ago, I broke part of my binding in the race’s first kilometer. Unwilling to cut my losses, I spent the next 49K struggling with an improvised technique but managed to finish. Many years later I improved enough to place among the top 30 overall despite identifying myself more as a mountain runner than a ski racer. In 2014, I recall the frantic finish on a narrow trail into Alaska Pacific University after the race was shortened to 26K due to poor snow conditions along the coast. Another year I was caught by the lead women halfway through — they start several minutes after the men — and witnessed the competitive women’s race unfold. And from 2018-2021, my TOA experience came full circle as I directed the event (with help from NSAA) and implemented measures such as adding the bike races, music to the starts, and a finish outside the Kincaid Chalet.   

It should be noted that the Tour of Anchorage trail can be enjoyed by foot travelers, bikers, or skiers. Starting at Service High School, one connects to the Homestead Trail that heads downhill and before long merges into Far North Bicentennial Park and the magical Campbell Tract.   

Countless singletrack trails created by fat bikers branch off through here. Once you exit Bicentennial Park, the urban section is evident, with bridges over Tudor and Northern Lights roads and paths near East Anchorage High School (Randall’s alma mater), the University of Alaska Anchorage, and Alaska Pacific University. The latter hosts the 25K start near University Lake. There are also opportunities to detour on trails to Campbell Creek, Goose Lake, or Russian Jack Springs Park.   

Chester Creek Trail, with its numerous tunnels and ever-present creek, is shared with the Iditarod on race weekend; the ceremonial start is on a Saturday and the TOA is always on Sunday.   

Chester Creek ends at the bustling Westchester Lagoon, where skaters and hockey players join the mix. Then it’s a hard left onto the Coastal Trail (or head downtown with a right turn).   

The Coastal Trail features interesting snow and mud formations on the tidal flats, not to mention Mount Denali to the north on clear days. The trail also gradually becomes wilder when you enter Point Woronzof Park, and moose sightings are common enough that you need to bushwhack around them. The Coastal Trail eventually ends at Kincaid Park, completing a tour that can be accomplished in one outing or several.   

Follow these links to learn more about cross-country skiing and fat tire biking in Anchorage.

Matias Saari

Matias, a former sportswriter at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, is a coordinator for Healthy Futures, the signature program of the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. He directs the Mount Marathon Race, an event he won in 2009, along with the Crow Pass Crossing and Kesugi Ridge Traverse. He won Fairbanks’ Equinox Marathon six times and wrote a book about its history. He especially enjoys reporting on skiing, running, biking and mushing. Matias regularly accesses mountains and trails from his doorstep in Bear Valley on the Anchorage Hillside. 

Nordic Ski and Mountain Bike Adventures!

Alaska: Tour of Anchorage

Anchorage, Alaska is a jumping ground to endless cross-country ski adventures. March provides extended daylight and warmer temperatures making it an ideal time to visit Alaska. Your Alaskan adventure begins with a preview of the Tour of Anchorage race course along with spectating the Iditarod ceremonial race start in downtown Anchorage. The Tour of Anchorage event traverses the city using the multiuse and Hillside ski trails, finishing at Kincaid Park on the Western edge of Cook Inlet. Trip participants can choose to race in the 25, 40 or 50 km events. Those who choose not to race can enjoy skiing at their own leisure at Kincaid Park.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• Spectating the Iditarod ceremonial race start in downtown Anchorage.
• Ski at Kincaid Park and Hillside Nordic trail systems overlooking Cook Inlet.
• Race or spectate the Tour of Anchorage Ski race.
• Exploring the ski trails at Girdwood Park and Alyeska’s Meadow trails with majestic trees and mountain views.
• Nordic Skate, ski or hike to Portage glacier (weather dependent)
• Ski the trails near Palmer at Government Peak and Hatcher Pass taking in the breathtaking Chugach mountains!
• Optional activities include a half day downhill at Alyeska or Nordic Spa experience.

Check out the latest Tour of Anchorage 2023 Trip Highlights here!

TRIP INCLUDES:

• Six nights lodging at Staybridge Suites .
• Ground transportation to and from Anchorage Airport and day trips.
• Six breakfasts and five dinners are included.
• Ski trail passes for the entire trip.
• Daily guided ski adventures!
• Ski technique tips and coaching drills.
• Trailside snacks and appetizers during and after some of the ski outings!
• Ski waxing for the Tour of Anchorage race event.

TRAVEL SCHEDULE:

• Arrive in Anchorage on March 5, 2026
• Depart from Anchorage on March 11, 2026

NOT INCLUDED:

• Flights to and from Anchorage, Alaska, and any single occupancy room upgrades are NOT included in the trip fee.
• Lunch meals (participants can choose to make lunch meals in their full kitchen units or eat out at a variety of locations on our day trips).
• Optional downhill ski or Nordic Spa experience at Alyeska Resort.
• Entry to the Tour of Anchorage ski race is not included.

• $2,350 Early Bird Price Before March 1, 202 5
• $2,450 Before June 1, 2025
• $2,550 Before September 1, 2025

Lodging is based on double occupancy per hotel room. Single occupancy will be and additional $600.

Excellent Lodging, Food and Trip Guides!

AXCS National Masters

Great benefits year-round! Both USA & international memberships.

Official AXCS NM2023 Preview Information.....

USA Masters from coast-to-coast are looking forward to March as the 2023 AXCS National Masters returns to Anchorage, Alaska overlaid on the 2023 Tour of Anchorage weekend — March 3-5, 2023 .

The AXCS National Masters has used a “overlay” format since 2009 whereas the NM designation is granted each year to existing American Ski Marathon Series and/or North American-hosted Masters World Cup events with the option to add a special short distance event to complete a long weekend program. American XC Skiers (AXCS), the USA national masters association, has found this overlay format to be a viable way to both promote outstanding regional ski marathons and also keep the spirit of a National Masters alive.

2023 events will kick off with a special NM2023 10km classic race on Friday, March 3 starting at 4pm at Anchorage’s famous Kincaid Park venue. Organizers tell AXCS that the 4pm start time should get some "pretty good sky color" as it's ~1.5 hours before sunset

The plan for the 10km races are two mass start waves -- one for men and one for women. The route will be a 2 x 5km loop using the Mize loop. The Mize loop is a 5km gently rolling trail that follows the bluffs of Kincaid park and should coincide nicely with the setting sun.  10km course map is posted here . For Lower 48 skiers, you can see the overall amazing location by also looking at the general Kincaid trail map .

For the NM2023 10km races, 5-year age groups (per World Masters Association rules/guidelines) will be used. Your age for the races will be based on your age as of New Years Eve 2022. Skiers younger than 30 years "probably" will be able to talk the organizers into racing as "pre-masters" (you might want to bring some beverages for your elders :-) AXCS has provided the awards for the NM2023 10km.

Note that NM2023 10km registration is offered on the same page as the Tour of Anchorage registration.   Also please note Tour of Anchorage registration closes on Tuesday, Feb 28th at 10pm (Alaska Time)!

On Saturday, March 4 skiers will enjoy all sorts of traditional activities surrounding the start of the Iditarod sled dog races as well as pre-Tour of Anchorage fun — not to mention all the many attractions offered by Anchorage in the late winter.

Last but certainly not least, Sunday, March 5 will cap things off with Alaska’s biggest ski event (and one of the biggest in all of North America) -- the Tour of Anchorage -- which will also serve as the NM2023 distance freestyle championships.

For those folks that haven’t skied it yet, the Tour of Anchorage offers an overall downhill “point to point” course which traverses the wilderness of Hillside Park, then enters a series of trails through the residential and city environment, eventually joining with the Cook Inlet Coastal Trail followed by a final climb up the bluffs to Kincaid Park and the finish. Featuring a unique combination of city and scenery, the Tour is a bucket list event every XC skier should experience.

The Tour of Anchorage utilizes three distances and all skiers are welcome to select any distance you wish (you can also opt to classic if that’s your preference). But as per AXCS National Masters tradition, only skiers completing the “official” designated distance and technique for your age/gender category will count towards honorary AXCS National Masters Championship podium status -- and the honorary U.S. Masters Team scoring. If you don't care about that stuff, then race whatever you want and have fun doing it!

For NM2023 purposes, “official” Tour of Anchorage races are:

50km Free: Men 30-59 years

40km Free: Men 60-74 years, Women 30-69 years

25km Free: Men 75+ years, Women 70+ years

There is no separate registration for the 2023 AXCS National Masters overlaid on the regular Tour of Anchorage events. You’ll just sign up for the distance you want to ski on-line like any other Tour of Anchorage year and away you go.

Normal age group awards for the Tour of Anchorage events will also double as NM2023 awards in the official categories. Please note the Tour of Anchorage traditionally uses 10 year age categories.

We look forward to seeing masters nationwide at the AXCS NM2023 in the great white north!

For more information and to register, visit https://anchoragenordicski.com/events/tour-of-anchorage/

****************

Criteria and past honorees for the  U.S. Masters Team . Selected each year based on a modified points system for all official racers in each age/gender category.

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Thank you for supporting NSAA. If you skied the Tour, please consider making a donation to NSAA today so we may continue hosting this world class event! Thank you!

Race Times History

Curious how well you skied the TOA 2021?  How good was your training and all the wonderful snow?  Check out your results in comparison to many of your past races.    ALL PACE times 19mar21

Top 3 in each age group- come to NSAA Office , M-F, 10am-3pm to pick up awards.

Not in Anchorage? Call the NSAA office, 907-992-0109, to make arrangements.

Updated Results

Results Legend :  19C = 19k Classic; 19F = 19k Freestyle; 26F = 26k Freestyle

2003 TOUR CANCELED – LACK OF SNOW

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Nordic skiing, nordic ski racing roundup: sonot kkaazoot, oosik classic, tour of anchorage and more.

by Matias Saari | Mar 30, 2023 | Cover Story , Nordic Skiing

Tour of Anchorage racer Jenna Difolco. Photo by Jen Aist

Jenna DiFolco has had quite a month of racing ski marathons.

The former University of Alaska Anchorage skier placed near the front in four consecutive weekends, starting with the Tour of Anchorage 50-kilometer event, continuing with the Kachemak Bay Ski Marathon in Homer and the Oosik Classic in Talkeetna, and concluding with her hometown Sonot Kkaazoot in Fairbanks.

The Sonot Kkaazoot — an Athabascan term that roughly translates to “sliding your feet across the snow in springtime — is now arguably Alaska’s toughest ski marathon, particularly since for safety reasons it replaced 20 kilometers of flat river skiing with additional terrain at the Birch Hill Recreation Area. The route now climbs 5,541 feet in total.

A pair of University of Alaska Fairbanks skiers won the signature 50-kilometer event on March 25. Christopher Kalev edged teammate Philipp Moosmayer by 0.3 seconds to win the overall in 2 hours and 19 minutes. Mariel Pulles, a 2022 Olympian representing Estonia, won the women’s race and placed eighth overall in 2:41:08. Difolco took third in 2:51:11.

Dermot Cole, age 70, won the Red Lantern in 6:13:44.

Dermot Cole after finishing the Sonot Kkaazoot.

The 30K race saw Basile Plattet (1:34:14) prevail for the men while Anja Maijala (1:41:14) was the first woman.

Full results of the 36th annual event here .

The old-school Kachemak Bay Ski Marathon on March 18 featured a true cross-country course created specifically for race day. Difolco won the women’s 42K event in 2:30:17 while Magnus Noroey was the top overall skier in 2:15:29. Gavin Kentch and Stephanie Schmit were the top 25K racers.

Full results here .

The Oosik Classic, held on March 11 in Talkeetna, offered 50K, 25K and 10K courses and a party vibe that is as much a touring celebration as it is a race. The men’s 50K race featured a double-pole fest won by Forrest Mahlen, who edged Galen Johnston by 11 seconds in 2:39:10. Olympian Rosie Frankowski won for the women in 2:58:12 while DiFolco strided to a runner-up result in 3:14.

A total of 434 skiers completed the 25K, led by Tor Christopherson (1:32:48) for the men and Aurelie Barnel (1:45:25) for the women.

Oosik Classic (Photo by Charlie Earnshaw)

The week after the Oosik saw the fat bike equivalent with the Trio Fatbike World Championships in Talkeetna.

Nicholas Straka won the 30-mile race for the men in 2:42:30 with Dave Moore exactly a minute behind. Laura Fox took the women’s race in 3:04:05.

Complete results here .

Alaska’s largest Nordic ski event, the Tour of Anchorage on March 5 saw more than 1,000 finishers in 50K, 40K and 25K races.

Thomas O’Harra of Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Center took top honors with a dominating performance in 2 hours, 5 minutes and 4 seconds while Rosie Frankowski led the women in 2:23:09.

The 50K TOA fat bike race uses the same course several hours after the skiers start. Will Ross won again in 1:56:10, three seconds ahead of David Arteaga. Elizabeth Arteaga took the women’s top spot in 2:45:05.

The top “Tour Double” performers — a 50K ski followed by a 50K bike — were Kenny Brewer in a combined time of 4:42 and Briana Sullivan in 6:17.

For those still looking to race, the season is not over. The finale of the Anchorage Tuesday Night Ski Racing Series will be a Spring Relay April 4 at Kincaid Park. Details here .

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National Masters Set for Anchorage in Early March 2023

This year’s National Masters championships will be held in Anchorage, Alaska, the first week of March, according to a recent press release from American Cross Country Skiers.

There will be 10-kilometer classic race on Friday, March 3, then a distance skate marathon, the Tour of Anchorage, on the morning of Sunday, March 5. Best combined finish between the two races wins (for each qualifying age group, age 30–34 and up).

The middle day, March 4, sees the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, starting in a festive atmosphere in downtown Anchorage and covering some of the same trails used for the Tour the following day. Anchorage’s longtime winter carnival, Fur Rendezvous, an event that pre-dates statehood by several decades, will also be happening that weekend.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fur Rondy (@furrondy)

The flagship Tour of Anchorage is a 50-kilometer, point-to-point race, ranging from the Chugach foothills on the east side of town to Kincaid Park at the west edge of the Anchorage metropolitan area. In between, racers traverse ski trails, city greenbelts, and bike trails until they reach the Coastal Trail multiuse trail, at which point they cover 15km along the shores of the Pacific Ocean before ascending a hill to finish at Kincaid. It is truly a tour through the heart of Anchorage, and, along with races in the Twin Cities, the relatively rare urban ski marathon.

The 40km route spans much of the same area, but drops the largest hills at Hillside at the start of the race. The 25km route starts in Midtown, covers primarily bike trails, and is largely flat.

While equal-distance racing has come to the World Cup and to high-level domestic racing in this country, the official championship distances for National Masters still reflect a gender-based discrepancy.

Friday’s classic race is 10 kilometers for all ages and genders. In Sunday’s skate marathon, while any athlete may enter any race they wish, the official distances for national masters championships scoring are as follows:

50-kilometer skate: men age 30–59

40-kilometer skate: men age 60–74 and women age 30–69

25-kilometer skate: men age 75+ and women age 70+

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sadie Maubet Bjornsen (@sbjornsen)

For perspective, five of the top ten women finishers in last year’s 50km Tour, and 13 of the top 20, were aged 30–59. The top two spots went to Jessica Yeaton, 30, and Sadie Maubet Bjornsen, 32.

The women’s 30–39 age group was by far the deepest division of the 2022 Tour of Anchorage 50km skate, with over half the field hailing from that age group. Participation numbers were relatively equal between the two longer distances, with 61 women completing the 50km and 69 women completing the 40km.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nordic Skiing Assoc Anchorage (@anchoragenordicski)

Athletes are free to choose any distance or technique for the Tour of Anchorage that they like. “But as per AXCS National Masters tradition, only skiers completing the ‘official’ designated distance and technique for your age/gender category will count towards honorary AXCS National Masters Championship podium status,” American Cross Country Skiers said in a press release.

Past U.S. Masters podiums, and a breakdown on scoring criteria, are available here . Tour of Anchorage information is available here .

“There is no separate registration for the 2023 AXCS National Masters overlaid on the regular Tour of Anchorage events,” the press release advises. “You’ll just sign up for the distance you want to ski online like any other Tour of Anchorage year and away you go. NSAA [Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage] will provide a special sign-up for the 10km classic race.”

— Gavin Kentch

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Frosty Bottom 2024 Results

https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/105036#resultSetId-427881;perpage:100

Bib pickup is tonight 1/18/24 at CRC from 5-7pm or pickup Saturday morning from 8-9:30am at race start. 

2024 FROSTY BOTTOM JAN 20th

---- Register below ----

https://www.bikesignup.com/Race/AK/Anchorage/FrostyBottom

The Frosty Bottom is an annual winter endurance event held entirely on the multi-use trails through Anchorage.

Starting at the Kincaid Chalet on the west end of town, the Frosty Bottom follows the Coastal Trail and the Chester Creek Trail to the turn around at Goose Lake for the short course, or continue to the Tour of Anchorage Trail all the way to the Anchorage Hillside and back for the full course for a one of a kind urban fat bike racing experience.

Registration

Frosty Bottom Long Course early  registration $90,  a fter January 15 th - $110

Frosty Bottom Short Course early registration $70,  after January 15th - $90

The first 100 entries will receive a race beanie. 

Immediately  a ft er finish

Frosty Bottom Overall Awar ds will be presented to the first three male & female finishers of both races.

25 Mile Short Course and 43 Mile Full Frosty Bottom

Cash Prizes for the first three men & women in the Full Frosty Bottom $200 | $100 | $50

Winners must be present after finish  to receive the cash prize.

Age-class Awards will be given to the 1st placed riders, male and female, in each age class for the Full Frosty Bottom

Under 18, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+

Online Registration Ends at 6:00 PM Thursday, January 18

On Site Registration and Bib Pickup is at Chain Reaction Cycles from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Thursday, January 18

Race Day Bib Pickup is at the Kincaid Chalet from 8:30 to 9:30 AM Sa turday, January 20

Thursday, January 18

5:00 PM - Online Registration Ends

5:00-7:00 PM - On Site Registration at Chain Reaction Cycles

5:00-7:00 PM - Pre Race Bib Pickup at Chain Reaction Cycles

Saturday, January 20

8:00-9:00 AM - Race Day Bib Pickup at Kincaid Chalet

9:15 AM - Calling Racers to Start Line

9:30 AM - Full Frosty Bottom Race Start

9:35 AM - Frosty Bottom Short Course Race Start

11:00 AM - Full Frosty Leaders Expected at Hillside Aid Station

11:00 AM - Short Course Leaders Expected at Finish Line

12:10 PM - Full Frosty Leaders Expected at Finish Line

2023 Live Results:  https://runsignup.co m/Race/Results/105036

2022 frosty bottom results, https://runsignup.com/race/results/105036#resultsetid-297569;perpage:100, 2021 results.

Frosty 2020 Photos - Finish and Podium 

Frosty 2020 Results 

Frosty 2020 Bike Results @ ATLinks

Frosty 2020 Marathon Results

Frosty 2020 Half Marathon Results

Frosty 2019 Results 

Frosty 2019 Bike Results @ ATLinks

Frosty 2019 Marathon Results

Frosty 2019 Awards 

Frosty Bottom Course

Frosty Bottom Course - 43 Miles

Start: See Start Map

- North on Coastal Trail

- Continue North past Point Waronzof

- Turn Right at West Chester Lagoon

- East on Chester Creek Trail

- Cross the Northern Lights bridge

- Mile 12 - Goose Lake Aid Station

- Continue on Chester Creek Trail

- Pass the University and Hospital District

- Cross the Tudor Bridge

- Continue on Tour of Anchorage/Homestead Trail

- Pass Service High

- Mile 22 - Hillside Park/Abbott Road Aid Station

- Continue on Multi Use Trail To Gasline

- Turn Left on Rovers Run

- Turn Left on Moose Meadow

- Turn Right Back onto Tour of Anchorage Trail

- Head Back to Kincaid Park to Finish

- Mile 30 - Goose Lake Aid Station

- Finish at the Kincaid Park Chalet

Frosty Bottom Short Course - 25 Miles

- Mile 12 - Goose Lake Aid Station/Turn Around

Frosty Bottom Start Map

Frosty Bottom Finish Map

Frosty Bottom Short Course Turn Around and Aid Station

Past Results

2021 to 2024

2018 Frosty Bottom

Frosty Run - Age Group (Bike)  - Women Short Course  -   Men Short Course  -   Women Full Frosty  -  Men Full Frosty

2017 Frosty Bottom

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Tour of Anchorage 50K Results

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Anchorage cemetery tour celebrates the contributions of past Black leaders

On one of the nicest Saturdays so far this summer, about 200 people competed for space surrounding a tombstone at the Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery. 

Their host for the afternoon: Cal Williams. 

For over two hours, Williams led the lively group on a journey through the cemetery, recounting the lives of prominent Black Alaskans who are now buried there. It was the second annual “Soul in the Cemetery” Juneteenth event — an opportunity for the community to not only celebrate Black history in Alaska and the lives of Black leaders, but also to remember elements of change that residents continue to work toward today. 

“As I visit these graves,” Williams said, “it causes me to reflect on how much more they could have given if they were still here and the great joy and wonders of what they did in the time that they were here.”

Williams is a longtime Alaska resident who personally knew many of the people highlighted on the tour. At each grave on Saturday, he introduced the individual laid to rest there to the crowd. 

The group’s first stop: the tomb of Elgin Jones, who founded the multi-cultural publication, The Anchorage Gazette. And in his later years, he worked tirelessly with Kids Kitchen, a group estimated to have served over one million free meals to local children in need. 

Williams then welcomed members of the crowd who knew Jones to recount the impact he had on Anchorage. Several people vied for the microphone. They remembered Jones as someone who deeply loved helping children and who worked through all sorts of logistical challenges to do his work in aiding them. 

“Brother Elgin…went by the rule of: If you’re gonna do it, do it right for the children,” said Rev. Wilbert Mickens of New Hope Baptist Church. 

The tour continued to the graves of a variety of other notable Black leaders including Richard and Anna Watts, Helen and Toby Gamble, Johnnie L. Gay, Rebecca Kinney and Rev. William B. Lyons, Sr. Their impact within Alaska spanned many realms of life, from hairdressing to chairing the Anchorage branch of the NAACP to carpentry to serving as the president of the Licensed Practical Colored Nurses of Louisiana. 

At the grave of Helen Gamble, Robin Cole Barden introduced some of the interwoven life stories of the late Gamble and her family. 

“Helen Gamble got here by my grandfather. He drove Helen Gamble from Oakland, California,” he said. “Before it was a state, when it was a territory, it was a total different land, total different community. And they thrived here because of that. Once it became a state with federal law there were Jim Crow laws and so the African Americans in Alaska and in Anchorage had to rebuild to thrive.”

Williams said so many people don’t know that part of Alaska’s history, and that’s why this tour is so special.

“Oftentimes many people have asked: I didn’t know that there were Black people here because most of the books that we’ve seen and most of the advertisement and PR about Alaska did not include — not only Black people, but not Native people,” Williams said. “And so today we acknowledge that by our presence, we appreciate those who have called upon us to pay tribute to those who have gone before us.”

Those honored throughout the event are just a fraction of the Black Alaskans who did work to build a robust Black presence in Alaska —  work that event organizers say is ongoing.

It’s important work, said Ted Ellis, acting chair of the 400 years of African American History Commission , a federally-appointed committee established in 2019 with the goal of rediscovering the 400 years of history since Africans were first brought to English colonies in 1619. Ellis and other members of the group attended Saturday’s tour.

“It’s so critically important that we realize the legacy of those who have come before us,” he said, “that we preserve those memories and those stories, that we take that and we share that and we grow and we do better as we continue to move toward excellence.”

One of the leaders that continues this work is Williams himself. The commission recognized him during the event as one of America’s 400 African American History Keepers. Williams has lived in Alaska for decades, is a past president of the NAACP Alaska chapter and committed activist working toward Black advancement nationwide.

“It is humbling and exciting to do this work,” Williams said. “I’m so happy that Darrel Hess came up with the crazy idea of going and visiting graves in this cemetery that entombed African Americans who made significant strides in development here in Anchorage, Alaska.”

Williams and the organizers of Soul at the Cemetery say they look forward to many more events to come.

Leigh Walden, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Related articles more from author, gov. dunleavy trims $225m with budget vetoes but leaves school funding boost intact, alaska supreme court sides with state, allows correspondence school laws to stand, ‘it’s a good win,’ outgoing anchorage mayor says of supreme court homelessness ruling.

The Tour of Anchorage

The Tour Of Anchorage is an annual ski/bike event established in 1989. This event is put on by the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage . The first weekend of March is when the sun finally starts coming out and temperatures start to become bearable again. The Tour is a great celebration of spring! It has grown to be a big tradition in our city of Anchorage. The 50k ski trail begins up on the hill side and continues, uninterrupted, through the middle of town and ends at Kincaid Park. This event happens around the same time as the Fur Rondy and the Iditarod.

Nearly everyone in the Nordic Community gathers to cheer, volunteer, or race! Generations of local olympians show their support! This year, people from 6 to 83 raced. Every single person out there was a true inspiration to watch and to talk to.

I briefly said hello to on of our local celebrities, two time Olympian Holly Brooks. She was prepping for the 50k. Holly has been a role model to me since before I knew nordic skiing was a thing. It means a lot that I finally get to talk to her about this sport that we both love. She owns a busniess, Holly Brooks LLC , which provides “therapy and performance coaching for high achievers”.

This was a very rare and special moment that I got to be the one cheering while my coaches were the ones racing. Coach Jan has been helping me reach new levels in my skiing ability for a little over a year now. He is my high school ski coach at Service High and my year round head ski coach at Alaska Winter Stars . Jan constantly sets examples of putting his words into action. Two days before the Tour, Jan took second place in the 10k classic the Master Nordic Ski National Championships! He competed in the 50k Freestyle at the Tour where he placed first in his age group.

After a couple big weeks of stressful, and yet exciting racing, this was a great day to experience ski racing for the pure joy and love of our sport. The Tour of Anchorage is a beloved spring celebration and a great way to kick off the best part of the ski season! I look forward to welcoming longer days, the heat of the sun, and crust skiing galore!

THE TOUR PHOTO LINKS!

Jennifer Aist

Andy Romang

Joselynn Finch

Haley Finch

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Maui officials highlight steps toward rebuilding Lahaina nearly a year after deadly wildfires

Workers remove debris from commercial properties destroyed in last year's wildfire, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Lahaina, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin)

LAHAINA, Hawaii — Nearly a year after wind-whipped flames raced through Kim Ball’s Hawaii community, the empty lot where his house once stood is a symbol of some of the progress being made toward rebuilding after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century.

“Welcome to our neighborhood,” Ball said Wednesday as he greeted a van full of Hawaii reporters invited by Maui County officials to tour certain fire-ravaged sites. Already there are signs of change since the fire, which destroyed thousands of homes and killed 102 people in Lahaina.

The gravel covering lots on his street in Lahaina indicate which properties have been cleared of debris and toxic ash in the months since the Aug. 8, 2023, blaze. On the lots along Komo Mai Street, there are pockets of green poking up through still visible charred vegetation.

Speaking over the noise from heavy equipment working across the street, Ball described how he was able to get a building permit quickly, partly because his home was only about 5 years old and his contractor still had the plans.

Ball wants to rebuild the same house from those plans.

“We may change the color of the paint,” he said.

Gene Milne, an impact zone property owner, is pictured during an interview on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Milne lost his newly built home in last year's wildfire and is the first property owner to start the rebuilding process since his previous home was not yet fully completed and had open permits. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin)

Nearby on Malanai Street, some walls were already up on Gene Milne’s property. His is the first to start construction because his previous home was not yet fully completed and had open permits.

When he evacuated, he was living in an accessory dwelling, known locally as an “ohana unit,” borrowing the Hawaiian word for family. The main home was about 70% done.

“I was in complete denial that the fire would ever get to my home,” he recalled. “Sure enough, when I came back a couple days later it was gone.”

It’s “extremely healing,” he said, to be on the site and see the walls go up for what will be the new ohana unit. Using insurance money to rebuild, he’s “looking forward to that day where I can have a cocktail on the lanai, enjoy Maui — home.”

The construction underway at Milne’s property is “a milestone for us,” said Maui Mayor Richard Bissen. “I think the rest of the community can use this as sort of a jumping off point, and say, ‘If they can do it, we can do it, too.’”

Even though it’s been nearly a year, rebuilding Lahaina will be long and complicated. It’s unclear when people displaced by the fire will be able to move back and whether they’ll be able to afford to do so. The county has approved 23 residential building permits so far and 70 are under review, officials said.

“We’re not focused on the speed — we’re focused on the safety,” Bissen said.

New leaves sprout from the historic Lahaina banyan tree, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Lahaina, Hawaii. The giant 151-year-old tree is now drastically greener with new growth thanks to the preservation efforts of arborists following last year's devasting wildfire. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin)

Other stops of the tour included debris removal at a former outlet mall that had been a popular shopping destination for both tourists and locals, and a beloved, giant 151-year-old banyan tree, now drastically greener with new growth thanks to the preservation efforts of arborists.

They cared for the sprawling tree with alfalfa and other nutrients — “mainly just water,” said Tim Griffith, Maui County’s arborist, who is helping care for the tree along Lahaina’s historic Front Street. “Trees are ... going to heal themselves, especially when they’re stressed.”