Looking back on the 35th annual Alaska Salmon Runs, I am awed once again by the generosity of the volunteers who helped make it possible for runners to participate in the running events that traverse the Copper River delta. There isn’t enough room to name you each, but you signed runners up for their races, handed out water at water stations spanning the delta, drove the school bus and shuttle vans to get them to the race starts, timed incoming runners, baked treats for hungry and exhausted runners, set up the race HQ and collected all the gear at the end of the day, and finally, put on a post-race salmon barbecue dinner for, again, hungry runners. Special thanks are due to a crew of USCG volunteers who got up extra early to put the cones out on the course, a USCG color guard and Stephanie Cutler for a beautiful opening ceremony, to Lisa Carroll for also getting up extra early to get the marathoners out to the race start at 27 mile, to CVFD medics who tracked the marathoners on their way into town, to Baja Taco, Skinny Raven, Trident Seafoods, Eyak Corporation, 60 North Seafoods, Copper River Seafoods, and OBI Seafoods for their sponsorship and in-kind contributions. And of course to the great staff at the CCMC for the baked goods, race HQ supplies, and general event support. I heard many times over how much the more than 70 runners who visited this past weekend enjoyed Cordova and the friendly people they met. Alaska Salmon Runs race founder Irene Webber would be so pleased to know her legacy has been carried on to support running and healthy living!
With deepest thanks,
Kristin Carpenter
Alaska Salmon Runs Race Coordinator
