Sonot Kkaazoot

Sonot Kkaazoot
Flyer for 2012 race (25th anniversary), design by Mark Ross
Datelate March
LocationFairbanks, Alaska
Event typeCross-country ski race
Distance50 km
Established1988
Official sitenscfairbanks.org

The Sonot Kkaazoot is the premier long-distance cross-country ski race in Fairbanks, Alaska. The race includes three events, a 50 km (31 mile) a 30 km (18.6 mile), and a 10 km (6.2 mile) course. All races are freestyle, mass start events that begin and end at Birch Hill Recreation Area.

Origins

The race was founded in 1988 by noted Fairbanks skier Bob Baker. The name of the race is based on a Koyukon word which translates roughly as 'sliding around in early spring' and was used by Native people to describe the motion of cross-country skiers.

The original race courses began and ended on the Chena River in downtown Fairbanks. Due to unreliable ice conditions on the Chena River, as of 2022 the race has been held entirely on the trails at Birch Hill.

Original Course

The original race featured 20 km and 50 km events which began and ended on the Chena River near the Cushman Street bridge in downtown Fairbanks. The course then proceeded up the Chena River, entered Fort Wainwright army post and continued as far as the Birch Hill Ski & Snowboard Area. At that point the 20 km race turned around and returns via the same course back to the start/finish area.

The 50 km course proceeded up the Birch Hill alpine ski hill to connect with the trails system at the Birch Hill Recreation Area. From there the course followed all of the trails in the Birch Hill system (excepting the classic-only trails) in a counter-clockwise direction. After approximately 27 km the course again returned to the top of the alpine ski hill and proceeded back to the river and to the start/finish area by the same route.

In 2012 the 50 km race began making use of a new trail constructed to gain access to the Birch Hill Recreation Area. Rather than climbing directly up the alpine ski hill, the Sonot Connector trail climbs through the forest to the east of the ski hill, starting from the top of the rope tow and making two long switchbacks.

Adjustments to the course were sometimes made due to weather or snow conditions. When it was not possible to hold the race on river, either due to ice conditions or cold temperatures, the race was held entirely on the trail system at the Birch Hill Recreation Area, beginning and ending in the stadium area. In these cases the race was usually shortened to compensate for the addition of steeper terrain. In years of low snowfall when it was not possible to easily connect between the river and the alpine ski area, the race was held entirely on the river. In this the 20 km course remains unchanged, but the 50 km course proceeded slightly further up the river before turning around at 12.5 km, returning to the start, and then doing another lap of the same course along the river.

Elevation profile of 2011 course

Past winners

50 km race
Year Men Time Women Time
2026-03-21Aidan Hay2:33:17.1Tabitha Williams2:55:57.3
2025-03-22Peter Hinds2:18:27.1Astrid Stav2:41:51.0
2024-03-23Christopher Kalev2:15:39.4Rosie Fordham2:34:37.7
2023-03-25Christopher Kalev2:19:00.6Mariel Merlii Pulles2:41:08.6
2022-03-26Galen Johnson2:35:05.8Rosie Fordham2:43:15.8
2019-03-23*Eric Packer1:12:12.9Marine Dusser1:22:53.7
2018-03-24Ti Donaldson2:19:15.0Sarah Freistone2:54:42.3
2017-03-25Peter Leonard2:33:08.4Kate Fitzgerald2:55:25.9
2016-03-26Seiji Takagi2:20:30.2Rebecca Konieczny2:42:00.7
2015-03-28Jack Novak2:12:10.3Rebecca Konieczny2:23:40.6
2014-03-29Cody Priest2:21:55.2Rebecca Konieczny2:33:38.7
2013-03-23Victor Brannmark2:33:07.5Raphaela Sieber3:12:02.2
2012-03-24Lex Treinen2:28:31.2Heather Edic2:55:31.2
2011-03-21Erik Soederstrom2:13:48.1Melissa Lewis2:35:15.2
2010-03-28Lex Treinen2:17:30.0Raphaela Sieber2:30:35.9
2009-03-14Tyson Flaharty2:15:06.9Davya Flaharty3:06:40.4
2008-03-22Petter Eliassen1:57:55Sigrid Aas2:15:22
2007-03-25Trond Flagstad2:38:32Kate Pearson2:59:58
2006-03-25Kjetil Dammen2:20:45Melissa Lewis2:41:02
2005-03-26Thomas Oyberg2:11:55.0Melissa Lewis2:31:13.0
2004Erik Wickstrom2:16:46Melissa Lewis2:42:15
2003-03-22Michal Malak1:56:20Sigrid Aas2:09:42
2002-03-23Kevin Wright2:21:19Kiersten Lippmann2:36:44
2001Juraj Burgos2:12:39Sigrid Aas2:42:31
2000Juraj Burgos2:22:56Karin Gillis2:56:16
1999Audun Endestad2:20:56Melissa Lewis2:47:42
1998Audun Endestad1:42:26Hailey Wappett1:56:22
1997Audun Endestad2:16:20Nadezhda Simak2:35:43
1996Adam Verrier2:16:29Donna Hawkins2:42:18
1995Peter Alden2:07:55Donna Hawkins2:24:22
1994Ed Kohler2:33:04Donna Hawkins3:00:23
1993Peter Alden2:12:53Melissa Fink2:36:00
1992Steve Bull2:30:59Alina McMaster2:55:43
1991Dan Fleener2:42:40Amanda Findlater3:39:03
1990Peter Alden2:23:41Kelli Lindeman2:55:00
1989Jon Underwood2:22:06Kelly Kimball2:43:57
1988Tim Kelley2:43:28Donna DeVoe3:09:13
  • 30 km race
20 km race
Year Men Time Women Time
2018-03-24Ari Endestad51:59.4Kendall Kramer56:04.7
2017
2016
2015
2014-03-29Ti Donaldson50:21.6Jenna Difolco56:46.0
2013-03-23Tristan Sayre1:00:56.9Jade Hajdukovich1:09:13.3
2012-03-24Max Donaldson52:29.5Maria Bray1:02:43.3
2011-03-20Max Kaufman50:02.4Maria Bray55:59.9
2010-03-28Stefan Hajdukovich49:36.5Crystal Pitney59:13.7
2009-03-14Jim Button45:49.1Kate Arduser46:21.8
2007-03-25Nicholas Ferree1:01:08Davya Flaharty1:06:16
2005-03-26Marius Korthauer46:54.5Christina Gillis50:00.9
2004
2003-03-22
2002-03-23Aelin Peterson
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