Fairbanks has two bumps in the local topography that are bookends for people who like long-distance, human-powered racing. Ester Dome, rising about 2,400 feet to the west of town, is what runners in the 26.2-mile Equinox Marathon scramble over in fall. Birch Hill is the lump on the eastern horizon, and is the site for about 30 kilometers of the Sonot Kkaazoot, a 50K (about 32 mile) ski race held on the spring Equinox.

We just enjoyed the 20th version of the race this weekend. Fresh snow made the trail gorgeous and a bit of a grind. I had a glorious day trying to catch my friend Chris Garber-Slaght and remembering past races, like the first one in 1988 when organizers Bob and Sharon Baker gave everyone these little Tyvek jackets. I loved that little vapor barrier. Felt like a well-built house when I was wearing it.

I arrived back at the Cushman Street Bridge on the frozen Chena River 3 hours, 41 minutes after I started. I didn't catch my friend Chris, who was enjoying a Pecan Sandie as I slid in. But I'm quite thankful to have passed another glorious spring equinox with a trip over Birch Hill.