her Turn
Athletes build their own bike racks at the Gold Nugget Triathlon.
cost or storage issues for bike racks and athletes control their own equipment throughout. Plus, the fundraiser is huge for the ski club. Another added benefit is the opportunity for participants to customize their bike racks.
Alaska: The Last Triathlon Frontier?
By Kathy Matejka I
s Alaska the last triathlon frontier? Not so much! The 30th annual Alaska
Women’s Gold Nugget Triathlon took place May 20 with a sold-out field of nearly 1,500 taking to the pool, streets and trails of suburban Anchorage. A little peek into the USA Triathlon data archives revealed that not only was this race the same age as USA Triathlon (both launched in 1982) but no USAT staff representative had traveled to the 49th state to represent the organization, socialize the triathlon culture and connect with the members. This was a perfect opportunity for myself, the USA Triathlon Event Services Director and Ann Gilbert, the USAT Pacific Northwest Regional Council Chair to journey to the Land of the Midnight Sun for a first-hand view.
The Gold Nugget Triathlon (GNT) was launched in 1982 by Judy Sedwick, who wanted to encourage fitness and find healthier lifestyle alternatives for her local youth group. One thing led to another, a tradition gained a toe hold followed by a foot hold and evolved into one of the largest all-women’s events in the nation. The event has sold out within moments
of registration opening the past few years and athletes traveled from as far as Florida and Texas to participate. Three esteemed competitors, Diane Barnett, Claire West and Idamarie Piccard have raced to the finish of every one of the 30 iterations of the GNT.
The entire weekend was typical of any well-organized triathlon but with added touches that have evolved due to the remoteness of Alaska. This demonstrates the nature of a true community of nurturing sportswomen and high caliber athletes. For example, seven-time champion Shannon Donnely is a full-time educator, mom and serves on the organizing committee, pulling together the awards and raffle dinner. Not only does the community offer its bounty to pull off the event, should an unexpected gap or need arise, it is immediately and graciously filled. Other special touches observed included:
• A bring-your-own bike rack process that is well-communicated and supported by a local ski club that constructs and sells (at low cost) stands to the participants as a fundraiser. This is a win-win as the race director has no
• About 75 mother-daughter teams and four tri-generation teams participated.
• Transition setup the night before includes special ‘wild animal’ protection buckets, also known as construction, paint or kitty litter buckets, customized by participants.
• Free coffee for all in attendance from event partner Kaladi Brothers Coffee and its enthusiastic staff.
• Race-day support from volunteers, EMS, organizing committee and community groups providing massage, food, children’s activities, poster-making and more.
• Unique time-trial swim format in the only Olympic-sized pool in the state. The first athletes were in the water at 9 a.m. with the later waves exiting the pool at 4:05 p.m.
• The awards and raffle banquet the following evening is a spectacular community potluck supper. The overall champion receives an actual gold nugget and with over 100 raffle prizes and giveaways, attendees have a great chance to head home with great swag.
• The event hosts a local artist competition to design the volunteer and finisher shirts
• Naturally, it goes without saying the race course is spectacular, moving along the foot of the Chugach range and looping over and along Ship Creek.
Her Turn is presented by the USA Triathlon Women’s Committee and is intended to address topics affecting female participants in the sport. Visit
usatriathlon.org/womenscommittee to learn more.
96 USA TRIATHLON SUMMER 2012
It would be more than fair to say this is one event that has been a leader in every sense for 30 years and the athletes, community and organizers could not be more ready for another 30.
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