Head out: As the snow melts away, mountains call to energetic runners: Features

On the return hike along the China Poot Bay Lagoon trail last weekend, Benny and Lily, our exuberant canine trail companions, heard the distant barking of dogs on the beach below us in Halibut Cove. In an instant, they forsook the trail and took off through the woods, tearing downhill toward the mystery dogs.

That's when I picked up the pace, shifting from an easy "stroll-through-the-forest" hike to a sprint to reach the trail intersection that would take me to the errant dogs. It was only a quarter of a mile of running, but in those few minutes, I was like a dog myself, tongue lolling and wondering why I wore so many layers. Flashbacks of my previous trail-racing experiences on the Lost Lake Trail came flooding back and with them the associated feelings: a strange combination of exhilaration and exhaustion.

The season is indeed upon us. The Alaska Mountain Runners is gearing up for its series of mountain races that test runners' abilities on trails both long and steep. For the front-runners, there is a system that awards the first 20 men and women points on their performance. This "Grand Prix" points system is based on international mountain racing standards and allows runners to accumulate scores throughout the season. At the end of the season -- officially Aug. 17 for the Grand Prix races, although several mountain races are still to be had -- there's a Mountain Runners Awards banquet to recognize the hardiest runners.

So, get your off-road running shoes primed and start going for the points. Brad Precosky, head of Alaska Mountain Runners, the nonprofit that promotes trail running and maintains the points system, said there is a lot to look forward to. Not only does the season consist of its cornerstone races, such as Mount Marathon and Crow Pass Crossing, but this year, it also is hosting a Climbathon at Alyeska Resort, which will challenge mountain runners to see how many times they can go up the north face and back down on the tram between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. While it's after the Grand Prix season, Precosky said, it's still going to be a showcase event for serious mountain runners. Details for that event, set for Sept. 6, are still being finalized.

The first Mountain Race series event is the Government Peak climb on June 7. Ed Strabel, one of the Valley's longtime mountain runners, said it's one of the best races on which to get started, climbing some 3,000 feet over 2.5 miles up the south face of Government Peak. And registration, said Strabel's son Mark, who's organizing the event, is filling up.

"Last year was the first year for the race and we had 110 finishers," Mark Strabel said. So far this year, he added, there are already 110 signed up with more than a week to go for registration.

Other races will follow throughout the season. Here are the quick details, but go to Alaska Mountain Runners Web site (www.alaska mountainrunners.org) for the full details on how much agony is involved. And be sure to check out other trail races on the calendar as well. While they aren't qualified as Grand Prix races, they are still challenging to runners of all abilities.

• Government Peak climb: 9 a.m. June 7 at Mountain Streams Bed and Breakfast, Palmer. $30 for adults, $15 for youth. (1-907-746-7547, www.signmeupsports.com)

• Bird Ridge climb: 8:30 a.m. June 15 at Bird Ridge Trail head. $20 online; $30 on race day. (345-1857, www.signmeupsports.com)

• Mount Marathon: July 4 in Seward. The application process ended in March, but check www.sewardak.org/news-events/marathon/marathon.htm to see who's signed up.

• Crow Pass Crossing: 7 a.m. July 19 in Girdwood, Crow Pass trail head. $60. (Michael Friess, 786-1325 anmaf@uaa.alaska.edu)

• Matanuska Peak Challenge: 9 a.m. Aug. 2 at Lazy Mountain parking lot, Palmer. $30. (Braun Kopsack, 1-907-746-5133, or Lance Kopsack, 1-907-745-5966)

• Penguin Peak Mountain Run: Aug. 9 at Bird Creek entrance. $30. (Brad Precosky, 345-1857)

• Alaska Mountain Runners banquet: 6-9:30 p.m. Aug. 17 at Russian Jack Springs chalet. Potluck dinner with Grand Prix awards.

?• Play outdoor columnist Melissa DeVaughn can be reached at adn.com/contact/mdevaughn or call 257-4482.