Please note some big changes for this year

I (Mark Strabel) have stepped down from race director for the Government Peak Climb. It has been turned over to Mat-Su Nordic and the Mat-Su Ski Club. The race director is now Eric Strabel.

With this change there are some new and exciting formats, based on feedback from racers and people that want to race.

June 6, Saturday

The Government Peak Race has transitioned to the Blueberry Rampage!

There are a few changes:

Uphill only
New ascent route
Separate Adult and Junior races

Also, longtime and original Race Director Mark Strabel is retiring from directing the race, as he has graciously given it to Mat-Su Nordic (part of the Mat-Su Ski Club). Mark will continue his stellar registration and timing service to the race, while his brother Eric Strabel will take on the race directing. The strong team of volunteers in the Mat-Su Valley ski community will continue to make this race a phenomenal stop along the schedule of the Alaska Grand Prix and other awesome mountain races in our great State!

THE BLUEBERRY RAMPAGE

Race Divisions

Adult - Full Mountain
Adult - Young at Heart - for adults desiring a shorter option, finishing at Blueberry Knoll
Junior - Finishing atop Blueberry Knoll. For 17 and Under athletes. Perfect for Junior athletes fast and young. Expect finish times similar to the Mount Marathon race, but all uphill. Bring the rampage!

Race Course:

Start at the GPRA stadium
Ascend the route of the prior recent years’ Gov’t Peak descent. The first ~½ mile will be on wide and steep ski trails, then up the Blueberry Knoll trail.
Junior and the Young at Heart runners will finish at the top of Blueberry Knoll
~1.5 miles and 1,600 ft vertical
Adults running the Full division will continue up the east ridge of Gov’t Peak (still up the prior recent years’ Gov’t Peak descent) and finish where Frostbite Ridge joins the Gov’t Peak front ridge (about ⅓ mile before and about 100’ feet lower elevation than the summit of Gov’t Peak)
~2.9 miles and 3,600 ft vertical
Course map coming soon

Race Day Schedule

9:00 AM - Noncompetitive start time option for full mountain adults wanting extra time.
10:00 AM - Adult Full Mountain and Young at Heart Race
10:00* AM - Junior Race (*Ideally, we can start all runners together at 10:00, but we may need to divide the start if there are too many racers).
1:15 PM - Awards
2:00 PM - Everyone on their way home

Awards

Adults Full Mountain
Awards given to top 10 overall, top 3 in 50-59, 60-69, 70 and Over
Juniors
Awards given to top 5 in the 13-17 and 12 and Under age groups

Entry Fee

April 15 - May 15: $40 Adults, $30 Juniors
May 16 - June 6: $50 Adults, $40 Juniors
Race Day: $60 Adults, $50 Juniors
Family Discount: $100 for immediate family members, must contact Mark Strabel for discount code and sign up before May 31st.

Contact

Contact Eric Strabel with any questions.

Other Tips

Parking

Parking is at the Government Peak Chalet (10690 N Mountain Trails Drive, Palmer, AK 99645). There is a $5 Mat-Su Borough parking fee (not State Parks). Parking passes are available near the front door of the chalet. The parking lot is gated, closing at 10:00 PM and opening at 8:00 AM.

Trail Care and Training on the mountain:

Most of the route still has a lot of snow in April, and the upper portion above Blueberry Knoll usually doesn’t melt out until mid to late May. There may be some patches of snow remaining near the top on race day. If you go while there’s still snow, mornings are best before they soften. The trail usually closes temporarily for a period during breakup to avoid significant erosion. Please protect the trail and train on rockier mountains during this time.

Race Day Wedding

As usual, there’s a wedding in the GPRA Chalet after the race. We should be wrapped up before then (2:00 PM). Remember to be respectful as they begin their special day.