Defending champions Tyson Flaharty and Tazlina Mannix headline the field for the 11th annual White Mountains 100 in March, 2020.

Flaharty, a manager and bike mechanic at Goldstream Sports in Fairbanks, dominated the 2019 race in 8 hours and 25 minutes, an astounding 86 minutes ahead of the men’s runner-up. The win was his second straight.

Mannix, a former elite Nordic skier who grew up in Talkeetna and lives in Anchorage, placed second overall in 9:41 to claim the women’s division by 49 minutes. It was the highest place for a female racer in event history.

On Saturday, WM 100 organizers released a roster with 81 racers. For safety and logistical reasons, the permit with the Bureau of Land Management limits the total number of competitors to 85.

“It is a challenge to manage the volume of racers and volunteers in a given checkpoint, especially when the weather conditions are challenging,” race director Kevin Breitenbach said. “We wish we could safely accommodate more racers.”

Another 102 entrants were placed on the waitlist with hopes of eventually gaining entry when the bike/ski/run event sets off north of Fairbanks for a 100-mile loop in the White Mountains Recreation Area on March 22.

The race continues to grow in popularity, as a record 183 hopefuls registered, exceeding the 177 applications from 2018.

“We’re so excited to see enthusiasm for the race continue to grow,” Breitenbach said. “We’re glad the race has been able to entice athletes from around the country and the world to take on the challenge.”

After registration closed on Nov. 15, a limited number of spots were reserved for 2019 winners, sponsors and volunteers. The lottery was then conducted using an automated random name picker to complete the roster. 

The field includes 47 cyclists, 15 runners and 19 skiers. There are 53 men and 28 women, among them 42 rookies and 39 veterans.

Fourteen entrants come from outside of Alaska, representing Colorado, California, Washington, Texas, South Dakota, Massachusetts, the Yukon Terrritory of Canada and Italy.

Flaharty could be challenged by former Alaskan John Lackey (now of Bellingham, Wash.), who finished runner-up in 2013. 

Also, three-time women’s bike winner Amber Bethe is registered, though in the foot division.

Entrants may switch divisions right up until the race start.

Melanie Vriesman, on a bike this year, is seeking to become the first woman to complete the race in all three disciplines.

No individual has completed all 10 White Mountains races. John Shook of Fairbanks has finished every year except 2015 (and done all three disciplines) while Nancy Fresco only missed the inaugural 2010 running. Both are entered again this year. 

In the run division, four-time champ Teri Buck, 57, is entered again. So are Sean Ranney of Carmichael, Calif., the runner-up at the 2019 Susitna 100 footrace, and Matias Saari, a four-time WM100 ski finisher planning to run the course for the first time.

In the ski division, Shalane Frost of Fairbanks is the overwhelming women’s favorite after setting the female ski record of 12:42 in 2019. She has won the women’s race five straight years and is still seeking to win the race outright after placing second overall in each of those races. 

Defending men’s ski champion Brian Atkinson and Owen Hanley, the winner in 2017 and 2018, are likely to battle with Frost for the overall ski victory.

“Watching the race develop between Shalane and Brian was a highlight last year. Having Owen in the race will bring an entirely new dimension,” Breitenbach said. “This will be exciting!”

Given the certainty of drops from the roster and additions from the waitlist in the next four months, the race day lineup is expected to look much different come March.

-       By Matias Saari