AOTW: Mount Marathon veterans sweep Alyeska Cirque Series podium

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Out of hundreds of participants — including a fare share from out of state — two Fairbanks runners were among the top performers at this year’s Alyeska Cirque series, a 6.2 kilometer trek reaching 3,800 feet at its highest elevation.

David Norris just keeps winning in the men’s pro class, clocking in with a final time of 1:04:05.

“At this point, I’m just excited to keep challenging myself and see if I can keep improving,” said five-time Mount Marathon winner Norris, who now lives in Colorado.

Norris said the community he grew up in is what keeps him coming back to Alaska.

“Racing in the Lower 48 has been really exciting for me. But I just come back here and I’m like ‘this is incredible, this is a runner’s paradise,” Norris said. “But also, it’s just the community. I wouldn’t be doing this is if I didn’t love everybody that’s around these races. It’s just a blast to be here.”

Another Fairbanks runner, 22-year-old University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) cross country athlete Kendall Kramer, stole the show with a finishing time of 1:18:21 — more than six minutes faster than anyone else in her division.

“I knew it was going to be a fun event for sure,” Kramer said. “Whatever the result was, I was going to have a fun time so I was looking forward to it.”

Kramer’s top finish comes just one month after she placed second in the Mount Marathon race, finishing just under two minutes behind winner Klaire Rhodes.

Now Kramer hopes to inspire those back in her hometown that are cautious about taking that first step.

“I think some Fairbanks people are intimidated from entering the mountain races because the training isn’t as accessible,” Kramer said. “I hope more and more people participate because it’s a great slice of community. I’ve gotten so much support from Fairbanks and I’m really proud to represent it.”

With another top finish — and some extra cash from winning — both Norris and Kramer said to expect to see them in more races.

“I’ll definitely be at Mount Marathon next summer,” Norris said.

Kramer agreed.

“Yes, I’m definitely even more addicted now, so I’m excited,” Kramer said.

In the meantime, Norris said his focus is on racing what’s known as the OCC — Orsières, Champex, Chamonix , a 55-kilometer race starting in Valais, Switzerland beginning August 29.

Meanwhile Kramer is set to begin her senior season at UAF. The Nanooks take part in their first race in about a month.