Jaws dropped. Eyes opened wide. Fellow racers were incredulous at the record time -- 47 minutes, 48 seconds -- that Sweden's Emelie Forsberg posted Saturday in her Mount Marathon debut to shatter Nancy Pease's 1990 standard of 50:30. Runner-up Allie Ostrander of Soldotna, the six-time junior champion and junior girls record-holder, also topped Pease's 25-year-old mark with a 50:28 clocking in her women's debut.
Among the reactions:
• "I know why she's world-class now.'' -- runner-up Allie Ostrander.
• "That's not possible,'' said fourth-place finisher Najeeby Quinn, when told of Forsberg's time. "Insane. Freakin' insane.''
• "She's a world champion SkyRunner. She runs up mountains for a living.'' -- two-time champion Holly Brooks.
• "I could have had my best day ever and I couldn't touch that.'' -- Christy Marvin, 2013 champion and third-place finisher Saturday.
• "It's the epitome of shattering.'' -- defending men's champion and record-holder Eric Strabel.
• "It's off the charts.'' -- 2009 men's champion Matias Saari.
• "Wow. She's fast.'' -- women's 60-69 age-group record-holder Ellyn Brown.