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Ernst van Dyk & Monique van der Vorst Win "Toughest Race in the World" - 7/27/2009
The unique race came to a grueling conclusion July 27th at the Hatcher Pass summit. Competitors in the Sadler's Alaska Challenge, already fatigued from six straight days of racing, climbed more than 3,500 feet to the finish line at Independence Mine. Claiming victory of the race across Alaska were Team Invacare's Ernst van Dyk of South Africa for the men and Monique van der Vorst of the Netherlands for the women.
(In the photo shown left to right in yellow Team Invacare uniforms: Chris Peterson [2nd place finish] Ernst van Dyk [1st], Scott McNeice [4th], and Krige Schabort [3rd].) |
The Sadler's Alaska Challenge is the longest wheelchair and handcycle race in the world. 2009 was the 25th anniversary of the event, which took place July 19 - 27. What began 25 years ago as a couple of friends pushing their everyday wheelchairs for every brutal mile between Fairbanks and Anchorage has evolved in to one of the most unique, and prestigious, sporting events in the World.