Just two weeks after winning the Equinox Marathon in record pace, Matias Saari blazed through the inaugural Girdwood Trail Marathon at Alyeska Resort to become the race's first champion.
Saari finished in 3 hours, 23 minutes, 17 seconds — almost 30 minutes ahead of second-place finisher Sam Severin (3:52:37).
Paula Westbrook finished first on the women's side in 4:41:50 ahead of second-place Jill Aho (4:47:04).
The looped course took runners through most of the trails in Girdwood and served as a trails fundraiser.
Trail conditions included tight, technical portions, steep and rocky areas and dirt trails.
Girdwood Trail Marathon
Men
1) Matias Saari 3:23:17; 2) Sam Severin 3:52:37; 3) Zach Behney 3:53:36; 4) Laron Thomas 4:08:19; 5) Brian Pautzke 4:10:40; 6) Mark Stevens 4:13:47; 7) Joe Nyholm 4:16:56; 8) Soren Wuerth 4:21:00; 9) Andy Varner 4:29:57; 10) Sean Ulman 4:34:05; 11) James Mitchell 4:34:05; 12) Mike Heatwole 4:37:12; 13) Rob Witter 4:37:12; 14) Kevin Knotek 4:41:26; 15) Bryon Powell 4:47:05; 16) Marcus Ackerman 4:48:13; 17) John Hellen 4:49:00; 18) Michael Pikul 4:53:07; 19) Marty Lindeke 5:16:47; 20) Josh Bleznak 5:24:34; 21) Bruce Davison 5:26:03.
Women
1) Paula Westbrook 4:41:50; 2) Jill Aho 4:47:04; 3) Melanee Stiassny 5:03:7; 4) Gabrielle Hoessle 5:09:10. 5) Becky Hauser 5:12:43; 6) Rachel Steer 5:12:43; 7) Kari Konrath-Bera 5:14:35; 8) Mandy Hawes 5:18:57; 9) Erin Leighton 5:23:30; 10) Jane Baldwin 5:30:14; 11) Claire Powell 5:32:20; 12) Molly Hickox; 5:34:56; 13) Sarah Hurkett 5:43:25; 14) Lori Branin 6:20:25.