Take the Spit Run, chop the 6.2-mile distance in half, stand it on its ear and what do you have? Seward’s annual Mt. Marathon Race, a Fourth of July event that begins in downtown Seward and, for the senior or adult division, ascends to the mountain’s 3,022-foot elevation, where the course pulls a u-turn and returns to town.

In a separate race, younger runners in the junior division get off a bit easier, if there is such a thing. They begin at the same starting line, but only go halfway up the mountain before turning around and heading to the finish. 

Homer runners did themselves proud this year, with three entrants in the women’s competition and six tackling the junior course.

“Morning rain and fog made for wet, muddy conditions for the junior race, but all the girls did well, including Isabelle Hagge and Brenna Evarts, who made their Mt. Marathon debut this year,” said Stephanie Pitzman.

With 211 athletes in the junior competition, Homer entrants included:

• Megan Pitzman, 48:54, 86^th place;

• Brenna McCarron, 56:14, 135^th place;

• Alison McCarron, 56:51, 139^th place;

• Lauren Evarts, 58.20, 147^th place;

• Izabelle Hagge, 1:01:45, 163^rd place; and

• Brenna Evarts, 1:11:03 , 279^th place.

Lyon Kopsack of Palmer was the first place finisher in the junior competition, in 27:03. Allison Ostrander of Soldotna was the first female to cross the finish line in 31:40.

In the women’s competition, there were 253 finishers, with the following results posted for three Homer entrants:

• Frances Evarts, 1:25:21, 118^th place;

• Emilie Springer, 1:30:09, 150^th place;

• Tara Smith, 1:55:00, 229^th place.

Christy Marvin of Palmer was the first woman across the finish line with a time of 53:20. With 298 men competing, Eric Strabel of Anchorage took first place in 42:55.

For a complete list of results, visit onlineraceresults.com.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.