News Release

Anchorage, Alaska – Jan. 19, 2004

Alaska’s Cook Inlet and Chugach Mountains Backdrop for Nation’s Second Largest Ski Marathon

The Tour of Anchorage, a premier ski marathon, will take place in Anchorage, Alaska, Sunday, March 7, 2004. Part of the American Ski Marathon Series, North America’s longest-running and largest citizen’s racing and tour series, the Tour of Anchorage is a winter tradition for cross-country skiers of all abilities.

The well-groomed trails take skiers through wooded areas, along streams and the coastline with the nation’s largest mountain and the nation’s third largest state park as the backdrop. In 2002, more than 1,800 skiers participated, making it the second largest ski event in the nation.

The ski marathon consists of four point-to-point cross-country ski races: a 25K classical race and 25K, 40K and 50K freestyle races. The course starts at various locations across Anchorage and follows groomed trails through woods, downtown and along the coast, with participants finishing at Kincaid Park. Kincaid Park is an internationally recognized Nordic Ski competition area.

For avid cross-country skiers, Anchorage’s trail system, highlighted in the Tour of Anchorage course, is ideal. The city’s urban cross-country trail system is interconnected, with 50K of lighted trails.

Entry fees range from $40 to $70. For more information about the 16th Annual Tour of Anchorage, organized by the Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage, visit www.tourofanchorage.com. For information about traveling to Anchorage, explore www.anchorage.net or call 1-800-478-1255 to order a free 2004 Official Anchorage Visitors Guide.

Contacts:

Erika Siegel, Public Relations Manager
(907) 257-2331
esiegel@anchorage.net
Explore www.anchorage.net

Nance Larsen, Director of Communications
(907) 257-2310
nlarsen@anchorage.net
Explore www.anchorage.net