Runner’s World — The Last Man Up
February 14, 2013 10:34 amMount Marathon is a race that takes place every year on the 4th of July in the small town of Seward, Alaska. The run is only mile and a half up and a mile and a half down a large mountain that towers over the city, but with an average speed of only 2 miles per hour, you can think of it more as a climb than a race. It is not uncommon for people to cross the finish line bloodied with broken bones. But never in the race’s 105 year history has anyone ever gone missing – until the past summer when Michael LeMaitre disappeared.
Back in December I was asked to photograph some of the people involved and I’ve posted the pictures below. To read the piece written by Christopher Solomon click here.
Mount Marathon
Veteran timekeeper Tom Walsh was the last man to speak to LeMaitre, just a short distance from the race's summit.
Race official and veteran participant Flip Foldager is one of the many Sewardites grappling with the harsh realities of their beloved event.
Cedar Bourgeois grew up in the shadow of Mount Marathon and became a local legend for winning the race seven consecutive times.
Fire Chief Dave Squires has witnessed countless race injuries over the years, but LeMaitre's disappearance was a first.
Anchorage native Brad Precosky is one of the most decorated runners in the history of the the Mount Marathon race.
Peggy LeMaitre grieves at her Anchorage home. She keeps close the last photo taken of her husband on Mount Marathon (below).
This was the last picture taken of Michael LeMaitre. Photo Credit: Davis Stewart (AP)
3 Comments
Thank you for your excellent photos. They convey so well the gravity of the story–I read it in RW and was extremely moved. I wish it was available online so I could share it.
The article is now online — http://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/last-man?page=single
Hi Bonnie, thanks for posting the link!