The Alaska Challenge

Last Updated on Thursday, 18 June 2015 02:50
Published on Friday, 19 October 2012 09:00
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Course Update: June 17, 2015

The past few weeks have seen several changes to the original route of the 2015 edition of The Alaska Challenge. Reasons for the change vary for each stage and range from unanticipated construction to permitting issues. In order to maintain the overall length of the race to as close to 240 miles, we’ve come up with a few creative re-routes and one entirely new stage that will add a whole new flavor to the race and possibly increase the visibility of the race to Anchorage residents.

The new look of the 2015 Alaska Challenge is as follows:

Stage 1: The 2015 Alaska Challenge starts with a difficult opening time trial that begins at Lake Hood and heads south onto the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, finally finishing with a steep climb into Kincaid Park. Look for the favorites to make a statement and establish an early lead in this first of two stages on day one.
Stage 2: This stage is brand new to The Alaska Challenge and is sure to become a fan favorite as racers will be easy to watch on this short course. In this second stage of day one, racers will participate in a Criterium on a closed course at the Cuddy Family Park skating oval. This 400 meter flat track will see racers complete as many laps as they can in a set time. This is one of the few stages that will benefit the non-climbers in the group. On this course there’s nowhere to hide, so strategy and cunning may help someone win the day on this stage.
Stage 3: After a transport to Fairbanks, Stage 3 utilizes the traditional stage from Ester to Nenana. This stage is not for the timid and the long, steep climbs on the way out of Fairbanks will test climbing prowess of the entire field. Look for big time gaps to open up in the general classification after the finish of this challenging stage.
Stage 4: Another traditional stage awaits the racers as they depart from Nenana. Consistent elevation gain and long miles will test the endurance of all the racers, and it is highly unusual for the wind to be calm during this stage. Athletes who have not put in the proper training will suffer on this stage. For the first time this stage of the race will finish on the Stampede Rd. just north of Healy.
Stage 5: The first of two stages on the day offers the racers a spectacular look inside Denali National Park as they embark on an out and back journey against the clock. With two stages on this day, recovery will be the key, and athletes who can post a good time, yet keep enough fuel in the tank for the afternoon race will finish the day high in the general classification.
Stage 6: As a stand-alone stage this isn’t very intimidating. However, with two stages on the day, along with logistical concerns and a tight time-table, the well-rounded and organized athlete will excel. From the gun, this stage is typically fast, and it may be an opportunity for the non-climbers to grab a stage win.
Stage 7: With a spectacular start in the shadow of Denali, Stage 7 is the last chance for a stage win by those sitting in the middle of the general classification. Don’t expect too much from the race favorites as they bide their time for the race finale up Hatcher’s Pass in stage 8.
Stage 8: This will be the fourth appearance of the magnificent Hatcher’s Pass climb at The Alaska Challenge, and is fitting as the race’s final stage. Although the stage has been shortened, it will still prove to be difficult as racers have precious few miles to warm up before starting the climb of more than 3,500 feet in elevation gain. The overall leaders in the general classification will likely go for the stage win, not only to seal overall victory but also to celebrate victory in this, the “King Stage” of the 2015 Alaska Challenge.

2015 Racer Bios

Wesley Bergin
Bergin, 45, a married father of two boys, is from Palm Harbor, Florida. He was injured in 1989 in a motor vehicle accident while driving on black ice. He is a Retired Hospital Corpsman in the Navy. Wes has started riding a racing chair in the 1990’s and has been racing handcycles since 2000. Wes has competed in many marathons and road races including the Boston Marathon and the Bloomsday Road Race. He also has several sporting achievements including winning the Couer D’Alene marathon in 1998 and the Carlsbad Marathon in 2006. He joined the Paralyzed Veterans Racing Team in 2010 and has competed in many races across the country. In 2011 he came in first place at the Silver Strand half marathon in Coronado, CA. Wes also enjoys hunting, fishing and kayaking. “The racing team has helped me both as a sponsor and in my racing, and it’s a joy to race for them,” states Wes. This will be his first Alaska Challenge Handcycle Race.

Larry Coutermarsh
Coutermarsh, 54, was born in New England but has been living in Alaska since 1983. He was injured while a U.S. Army Ranger in 1985. While in the hospital the founder of the Alaska Challenge told him about the race. Larry was released from the hospital that February and competed in his first race in July using a standard wheelchair. According to Coutermarsh, another racer took pity on him and loaned his a race-worthy vehicle. He placed third overall that year and has been racing ever since, including 1994 when the race was cancelled. He raced from Fairbanks to Anchorage on his own prompting a new sponsor to step in for the next 20 years. Larry is employed with the Federal Aviation Administration and resides in North Pole, Alaska with this wife and children. This was be his 27th Alaska Challenge Handcycle Race.

Muffy Davis
Davis, 42, is from Salt Lake City, Utah. She was paralyzed in a ski accident when she was just 16, but she didn’t let her disability slow her down or keep her from reaching her dreams. A three time Paralympian, Muffy has competed in both the winter and summer Paralympics Games, wining a total of 7 Paralympics medals. She began competitively hand cycling in 2010 and quickly rose to international ranks. In 2012 she won 3 Gold Medals in road cycling at the London Paralympics Games, the most gold medals of any athlete, male or female. Those medals earned her a Guinness World Record for the most gold medals won in a Paralympics Games in road cycling. Muffy is actively involved in helping promote athletes, specifically women athletes, right and opportunities and is a member of the International Paralympic Committee’s omen in Sports Committee as well as a member of the Union Cyclist International’s Paracycling Commission and the US Paralympic Advisory Committee. She is a wife and mother of 6 year old Elle, the light of her life. This is Muffy’s first Alaska Challenge Handcycle Race.

Kenny Herriott
Herriott, 53, is from Aberdeen Scotland. He was injured in a motorcycle accident in July, 2000. He started wheelchair racing 11 months after his accident and won his first marathon soon after. He was the British champion in marathon racing for 3 years and in 2005 was ranked the 4th fastest in the world. He stated handcycling in 2008 and stopped wheelchair racing in 2010. He cycled for charity by crossing the length of Great Britain, riding over 1000 miles in 17 days as well doing many other charity rides. His sporting achievements include finishing in the top four for the last five years in the South Africa Cape Argus and competing for over ten years in the George Marathon, finishing in 1st through 4 places. He most recently won the Clock Tower Classic in Rome, GA in 2014 and 2015. This is his first Alaska Challenge Handcycle Race and states Kenny he “can’t wait”.

Edwin Jones
Jones, 59, is from Anchorage, Alaska and is married with 3 kids and six grrandkids. He was paralyzed in a sledding accident in 1976. He started wheelchair racing in 1987 when he did his first Midnight Sun Wheelchair Race. He participated in the race several other times over the years, placing 2nd and 3rd. He enjoys played his PS3 in his spare time and spending time with his family.

Ryan Kelling
Kelling, 36, a married father of 4 children is from Chelan, WA. He is a Licensed Contractor and was injured in a framing accident 2/5 years ago. He began riding a handcycle about a month after being released from the hospital and his been hard at it ever since. Ryan did not cycle before his accident. This will be his first Alaska Challenge Handcycle Race.

Andrew Kurka
Kurka, 23, is an Alaskan born and bred. He was iriginally injured in an ATV fishing accident when he was 13. An avid wrestler and athlete before his injury he didn’t lost hope and kept moving forward with Challenge Alaska. Now a skier on the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team, a Socchi Competitor and X Games athlete Andrew looks to keep moving forward as a cyclist. You can follow Andrew on social media www.facebook.com/usadaptive or www.twitter.com/andrew_kurka. This will be his first Alaska Challenge Handcycle Race.

Ashli Molinero
Molinero, 43, is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is the Director of Disability Resources and Services, UPMC Health System and assistant professor, University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology. Dr. Molinero was born with spina bifida. Though she has been riding since 2001, she only started handcycling in marathons competitively in 2012. In addition to the health benefits of handcycling, her favorite part of cycling is the friends that she has made participating in races across the country. She has competed in cities such as Pittsburgh, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Gettysburg and Boston. She loves to introduce others to the sport. When she is not riding, she also enjoys skiing and traveling with her family and friends. This will be her first Alaska Challenge Handcycle Race.

David Neumer
Neumer, 52, is from Chicago,IL. He served in the U.S. Army for 21 years as a Special Forces soldier. He was medically retired In 2012 from the wounds he received in December of 2009 while conducting operations in Afghanistan. Neumer was introduced to handcycling as part of his therapy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He began racing with Paralyzed Veterans Racing In 2014 in order to race at a more competitive level. This gives him the opportunity to travel with other PVA members for races and training. With the support of the Paralyzed Veterans of America I have been able to compete regularly and have goal orriented training. All this has led to a much healthier lifestyle with reduced stress. This will be David’s first Alaska Challenge Handcycle Race.

Mike ONeill
O’Neill, 65, born in the Dillingham Bristol Bay region of Alaska now lives in Anchorage with family. He was injured in the Naknek-Kvichak commercial fishing area from a fall in 1972. Mike is a Vietnam veteran and says “The support from the Alaska and Puget Sound VA Healthcare Systems and the VA Paralyzed Veterans Racing club is outstanding.” O’Neill is retired but is currently working with other professionals in regional geotourism development with a vision that a 1000 local village families in 10 years across Alaska are prospering in this new planet and people friendly industry. Mike also enjoys being surrounded by family and grandchildren and doing volunteer board work for Access Alaska Incorporated in Anchorage. Since 2006, Mike has raced in 5 previous Alaska Challenge races and he showed improvement over every previous race and hopes this year’s race demonstrates even more competitiveness compared to his last race in 2011.

Anthony Pedeferri
Pedeferri, 44, resides in Camarillo, CA with his wife Carrie and two daughters, Samantha and Hannah. In December 2007, an officer with the California Highway Patrol, he was struck by a vehicle while conducting a traffic stop. As a result, Anthony is now a C7/C8 quadriplegic. Prior to the accident, Anthony was extremely active and had been involved in competitive sports his entire life. Bicycle racing was his passion and he ascended to the highest amateur level of cycling. During his career with CHP, he turned to triathlons as a new challenge, with the focus being on Ironman distance. He completed a total of 10 Ironman races, including three trips to the World Championships in Hawaii. In May 2008, while in rehabilitation at Craig Hospital in Colorado, Anthony tried a handcycle for the first time. This first attempt was very discouraging, as he could barely make the handcycle move. He steadily progressed and began racing in 2010. Now a member of the US National Paralympic Cycling Team, Anthony has won several races, including multiple national championships. Anthony was one of four handcycle athletes named to the 2012 US Paralympic team to compete in London. This will be his first Alaska Challenge Handcycle Race.

Keith Winchell
Winchell, age 52, is from Westtown, NY. He is the married to his wife Jennifer, whom he met while participating in adaptive skiing. He is also the father of two children and one grandson. He was in the Air Force from 1981 to 2004 and engaged in Operation Enduring Freedom. Keith was a police officer for the NYPD when he was struck on his motorcycle while in pursuit of another motorist. He began his rehab at NYU Rusk and Helen Hayes Hospital where was introduced to handcycling. Keith joined the Paralyzed Veterans Racing Team in 2012 and has raced throughout the country including Redlands and Rome, GA. He was diagnosed with cancer last September from the aftermath while working at the World Trade Center. This is his first Alaska Challenge Handcycle Race.