The Alaska Challenge is ready to roll.
Organizers of the multistage handcycle race across Alaska announced Tuesday they've lined up enough sponsors to hold this year's race, which was in jeopardy of cancelation after longtime supporter Sadler's Alaska decided not to continue its sponsorship.
"The race is on," said Challenge Alaska CEO Beth Edmands. "People heard we needed help and people came forward."
In December, Edmands was far less enthusiastic when she announced the race faced a $50,000 budget shortfall after its largest sponsor pulled out. At the time, she said if enough sponsors couldn't be acquired by the end of January, the July race would have to be scrapped.
On Tuesday, she said a number of new sponsors -- including Lynden Transport, Condor Air, Figarelli Fitness, LifeMed Alaska, Rain Proof Roofing, Southcentral Foundation, Alaska Brain Injury Network and a donation in memory of Charlie Anderson -- had joined forces to fill the funding gap. Of those, she said, Lynden made the largest contribution, although the company declined to release an exact amount.
Edmands said it was gratifying to see so many new sponsors join forces to save this year's race.
"I think it's just such a good news story for the community," she said.
The longest of its kind in the world, the Alaska Challenge is unique among handcycling races. Much like the Tour de France or other popular bicycle stage races, the event sends racers out on multiple courses during its week-long traverse of Alaska.
In 2013, the race -- which is held every two years -- began in Anchorage, moved to the Interior for several stages and concluded with a race up Hatcher Pass. It normally attracts some of the top handcyclists in the world, and in 2013 the winners were a pair of Paralympic medalists -- Poland's Rafal Wilk in the men's race and California's Thea Rosa in the women's. Each took home $3,000 in prize money.
Now that funding has been identified, details of the race are being nailed down. Edmands said 20 racers will participate in this year's event, which she said will likely include an opening stage in Anchorage before traveling north to Fairbanks. Last year's event concluded with a stage up Hatcher Pass, and Edmands said she expects this year's event to follow a similar format. The race will be held in late July.
"There's still plenty more to do, but it is cool to move from the 'are we making it' stage to 'let's talk logistics,'" she said.
In addition to the new sponsors, Edmands said dozens of other individuals and groups will volunteer time and help with in-kind services. She said it's gratifying to know so many people wanted to help.
"It's just such a wonderful community we live in where people will help each other like that," she said.
Contact reporter Matt Tunseth at 257-4335 or mtunseth@alaskadispatch.com