Erik Johnson of Seward and Rosie Frankowski of Anchorage picked up decisive victories Saturday in the arduous Government Peak Climb at Hatcher Pass.
The uphill-only mountain race is three miles long with 3,500 feet of climbing.
Johnson took the overall win in 48 minutes flat, beating Jim Shine by 70 seconds.
Frankowski, a member of the U.S. cross-country skiing team at February's Winter Olympics, placed 10th overall in 53:30. She was more than three minutes ahead the next fastest woman, UAA ski coach Marine Dusser (56:41).
The winners were well off the course records – 42:04 for the men, set last year by Olympic skier Scott Patterson, and 50:36 for the women, set in 2016 by Christy Marvin.
Race director Mark Strabel said snow on the upper part of the mountain kept times from approaching record paces.
It also kept runners cool on a hot day.
"Most of the racers said (the heat) wasn't a factor, due to the snow," Strabel said by email. "They just picked up a handful and smashed it on their head or back."
Top 15 men – 1) Erik Johnson 48:00; 2) Jim Shine 49:09; 3) Matt Novakovich 49:48; 4) Matias Saari 50:56; 5) Jack Novak 51:08; 6) Michael Connelly 52:05; 7) Mike Monterusso 52:31; 8) Seiki Takagi 52:52; 9) Ben Ward 52:54; 10) Barney Griffith 53:54; 11) Lyon Kopsack 54:12; 12) Christopher Kirk 54:14; 13) Forrest Mahlen 54:27; 14) Dawson Knopp 54:59; 15) Jerry Ross 55:49.
Top 15 women – 1) Rosie Frankowski 53:30; 2) Marine Dusser 56:41; 3) Briana Sullivan 57:53; 4) Sheryl Loan 58:27; 5) Julianne Dickerson 59:13; 6) Allison Barnwell 59:38; 7) Denali Strabel 59:55; 8) Mara Rabinowitz 1:00:17; 9) Lauren Fritz 1:01:07; 10) Annie Connelly 1:05:52; 11) Tara Swanson 1:06:12; 12) Sarah Heck 1:06:28; 13) Robin Beebee 1:06:31; 14) Katey Houser 1:08:34.0; 15) Leslie Robbins 1:08.32.2.