Last year, Duff’s Skagway Marathon had a runner who chose the historic Gold Rush town to complete his goal of running a marathon in all 50 states.

It happened again last Sunday, race director Kristin Wagner told the Star earlier this week.

She said Belinda Young of Georgia – with 142 marathons under her runners – also chose the Skagway Marathon to become a 50-stater.

“When she crossed the finish line she hugged and kissed her husband,” Wagner said. “I was really emotional. I started to tearing up.”

The event drew 145 runners and walkers, 87 of whom were from the Yukon.

While Whitehorse runners dominated the half-marathon, runners from Skagway and the Lower 48 states took the honours in the full marathon.

Wagner pointed out of all the participants, 65 per cent were women.

Conditions were favourable to begin the eighth running of the race, though rain started falling and the wind picked up, way up.

So strong was it, she said, that the drizzle began blowing sideways and the large host tent was blown over.

“It was a swirling wind,” said Wagner. “I was a little of both, pushing you and pulling you.”

The organization describes the Skagway Marathon as “beautiful, brutal and unforgettable.”

Jason Hoepker of Virginia finished the men’s full marathon in first with a time of three hours, 18 minutes and 10 seconds. Skagway runner Blake Bottle was second in 3:22:54 and Ed Haubenreiser of Maryland rounded out the top three with a time of 3:25:27.

Clare Stanfield of Skagway won the women’s full in a time of 4:07:56, while Patricia Murphy of Wisconsin came in second with a time of 4:23:45 and Ali Moxley of North Carolina finished third in 4:28:17.

Runners from Whitehorse took the top three positions in the men’s and women’s half marathon.

Daniel Dreiseitl won the men’s event in a time of 1:26:38, Stephen Dynes was second in 1:28:10 and Adam Henderson finished third in 1:28:38.

Haley Digel finished first in the women’s half in a time of 1:34:23, Kendra Murray was second in 1:36:18 and Anett Kralisch was third in 1:37:23.

John Storms of Whitehorse completed the half-marathon walk in first place and Bonnie Love of Whitehorse was a close second.