Wild Review for August 2005

Member of the Month!

Xtremely Alaska LLC ACVB’s August Member of the Month

Congratulations to Xtremely Alaska LLC for being selected at the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) August Member of the Month.

Specializing in hiking and completely packaged adventure tours, Xtremely Alaska LLC offers day hikes, evening hikes, and birding hikes.

“Five years ago after my second Mount Marathon race someone from the crowd approached me and said ‘I would love to climb that mountain, and would PAY for someone to take me!’” owner Rebecca McKee said. “I started to develop a plan where the ‘little guys’ could offer a product that would stand out and here we are five years later offering tours with trained professional guides to all ages, levels and elevations!” Currently employing three full-time guides and four part-time guides, all CPR and mountain safety certified and several who speak different languages. "All of our guides are Alaskans! They are knowledgeable, and offer a tour that educates as much as it entertains our guests. We completely customize each of our tours for our clients," McKee said. Xtremely Alaska LLC is involved with ACVB, Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA), Alaska Mountain Runners, Joints In Motion Arthritis Foundation, Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association, and Anchorage Chamber of Commerce. McKee also is a runner and accomplished tri-athlete involved with organizations and groups such as: Alaska Mountain Runners, Turkey Toe Tri Events, and Alaska Triathlon Club.

Congratulations Rebecca McKee on building a company that enhances how visitors can experience Alaska!

Xtremely Alaska LLC
P.O. Box 221862
Anchorage, AK 99522-1862
Phone 1: 907-868-4098
Toll Free: 877-914-2735
guides@alaska.com
www.xtremelyalaska.com

Ed Rutledge Joins ACVB Leadership Team

The Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) is pleased to welcome Ed Rutledge to the Leadership Team in the position of controller.

Rutledge has a bachelor’s in business administration in accounting from Idaho State University, a master’s of business administration from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. He is a Certified Management Accountant. Rutledge’s background includes work with The Salvation Army, Alaska Native Health Board and Tanana Chiefs Conference.

“I am confident Ed’s diverse finance and management background will be welcomed additions to our Leadership Team and will make a significant impact in the financial growth and security of the bureau,” ACVB President and CEO, Bruce Bustamante said.

Congratulations and welcome Ed Rutledge!

Anchorage Makes Runner’s World Top 20

Anchorage was listed at No. 16 in Runner’s World “The Best Running Cities in America.” To make the selections, the editors at Runner’s World checked out how much park area is available in each city for runners, the average precipitation levels and temperatures compared to the competition, crime rates, demographic studies that tracked the popularity of running in these cities, and polled more than 1,300 runners. Using results from a Runner's World poll, where readers ranked their favorite running cities, they scored the cities on a scale of 0 to 100, with the total score producing our final rankings.

Here is what Runner’s World had to say about Anchorage:

16. Anchorage

Yes, that Anchorage. While not surprisingly placing low in our weather rankings, the city bulks itself up with an active running culture. In fact, among our 25 cities, Anchorage ranked higher than all others in Claritas's running participation survey. Plus, you can't beat Anchorage's long summer days. With its pasta feed and 40-plus beers, Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse (610 W. Sixth Ave.) is a carbo-loader's haven and grooves around the time of the Humpy's Marathon in August. Be on the lookout for Maria Cobb at the Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon – wearing a dress made from 100-plus race bibs.

• Key Rankings: Participation: 1/Air Quality: 7/Clubs: 7
  
• Must Run: The 10-mile coastal trail, with waterfalls and assorted wildlife as pleasant distractions
  
• Race Watch: Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon (June 18)
  
• Postrun Grub: Moose's Tooth Pub
  
• Celebrate At: Humpy's
  
• Favorite Shoe Store: Skinny Raven Sports (907-274-7222)
  
• Hometown Help: Anchorage Running Club (anchoragerunningclub.org)
  

To view the complete story, click here.