Photos: Backcountry marathoners race through the Chugach Mountains during 2021 Crow Pass Crossing

Heading up from Girdwood, over Crow Pass and through to Eagle River, runners churned along the scenic 22.5-mile course.

By Marc Lester
Updated: July 25, 2021 Published: July 25, 2021

Daniel Bausch passes Raven Glacier during the Crow Pass Crossing backcountry marathon on July 24, 2021. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Racers crossed over Chugach State Park mountain passes and river valleys during the 2021 Crow Pass Crossing. Scott Patterson won the men’s race in record time, and Christy Marvin won the women’s division.

Gail Taylor splashes toward Crow Pass. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Racers cross a creek on the way to Crow Pass. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Scott Patterson descends from the 3,500-foot high point of the Crow Pass Crossing. Patterson won the race and broke the race record with a time of 2:50:05. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Colleen McGovern heads toward the pass. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Tracen Knopp high-fives Zack Bursell. Knopp was racing in second place at the 3,500-foot pass, but ended his run after an injury. (Marc Lester / ADN)

From left, Tonia Baklanova, Lucy Swygman and Jocelyn Kopsack follow the trail. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Shauna Severson crosses a shallow creek. (Marc Lester / ADN)

A racer heads down a valley from Crow Pass toward Eagle River. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Braun Kopsack takes a drink as he races. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Racers stream uphill in the first few miles of the Crow Pass Crossing backcountry marathon. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Clouds swirl over Crow Pass. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Brook Wedin runs over snow. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Troy Larson races near Raven Glacier. (Marc Lester / ADN)

April Lewis competes. (Marc Lester / ADN)

A racer is silhouetted by snow at Crow Pass. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Klaire Rhodes reaches the pass. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Marc Lester

Marc Lester is a multimedia journalist for Anchorage Daily News. Contact him at mlester@adn.com.