Bill Matiation records best time at Chocolate Claim Pre-Skagway 10 Miler

While most of the world watched the closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games, 31 intrepid souls took part in the 20th running of the Chocolate Claim Pre-Skagway 10 Miler.

While most of the world watched the closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games, 31 intrepid souls took part in the 20th running of the Chocolate Claim Pre-Skagway 10 Miler.

This event is the final test of a seasons training for those who have been targeting the Trail of ‘98 International Road Relay which takes place this year on Sept. 5 and 6.

The 16.1-km course begins and finishes at Rotary Peace Park.

Runners head out along the Yukon River wall to Robert Service Way then cut onto the Yukon Energy access road near the dam.

Following the Shwatka Lake Road, runners pass the float plane docks and push the hills to Miles Canyon.

After crossing the suspension bridge they follow the shortest trail back to the ski parking lot on the Chadburn Lake Road then turn back towards Riverdale.

The infamous Chadburn hill tends to claim the less fit runners who need to walk it.

The view of Riverdale and sight of the SS Klondike help those flagging athletes who take sight of the finish area from the top of the hill.

The runners then follow Nisutlin Drive to Alsek Road along to Lewes Boulevard and back to the Robert Campbell Bridge finishing in Rotary Peace Park where they started.

In 1988 a group of runners who ran with the Northwestel Whippets conceived the run.

The event was discussed with members of the Athletics Yukon board and held for the first time that August.

The run has taken place under blazing sun and scorching temperatures and near torrential downpours.

Sundays over cast and near windless conditions provided near perfect weather, but did not see any records set. All participants seemed to enjoy the weather.

Top finishers included Bill Matiation, who came in at 1:06:11, while Dan Shier wasn’t far behind, finishing with a final time of 1:08:17.

Bill Parry was just one second off Shier’s pace to take third place.

Sue Bogle finished in top spot for the women’s category, recording a time of 1:13:41.

Chantal Gagne took the second spot with a time of 1:17:30, while Cynthia Freeman rounded out the top three at 1:20:38.

Upcoming Athletic Yukon events on include the weekly Tuesday Intersport 5k and Thursday Sportslife Trail Race.

The premier event of the running season for many, the Trail of ‘98 International Road Relay begins in Skagway on Friday evening Sept. 5.

Story provided by Don White on behalf of Athletics Yukon.