Women

The Alaska Ski for Women is now taking names for this year's event, as registration opened Thursday for the 16th annual benefit slated to run Sunday. Organizers say the race, which donates its proceeds to organizations working toward ending the cycle of domestic violence in Alaska, is a fun way to fundraise. "Last year we received a grant of $7,000 (from the race)," said Solveig Pedersen with YWCA Alaska. Women of all ages, and skill levels are invited to participate.

Anchorage police officer Jill Martin pulled her patrol car onto the sidewalk Wednesday when she saw a three-vehicle car crash on Bragaw Road, where one driver had turned right on a red light. About 10 passengers from the vehicles involved huddled around a mangled gray car. It's a typical day for an APD patrol officer, which Martin described at a job fair intended to recruit women for the state's police agencies. Martin has been in law enforcement for 17 years. She told visitors to the third annual Women in Law Enforcement Recruitment Fair, held at the University of Alaska Anchorage, that her job is rewarding and a normal part of her life; her husband is also a police officer, and they have two boys.

Hundreds of women hit the pavement and the pool Sunday for the Gold Nugget Triathlon. The Anchorage event is the largest all-women's race in the country. It's an event that draws women of all ages and sizes, but for most of the participants reaching the finish line isn't the ultimate goal. With 1,500 competitive women crammed together in one spot, it's an event that will likely cause a big splash -- but this one leaves a lasting impression. "It's pretty sweet: the camaraderie, all the different women, just all the different types of women out here, just all the different ages," said Johana McMahan, who was racing with her sister and sister-in-law.

The UAA cross country running team finished a program best 3rd place for the men, and 6th for the women at the NCAA Div II Championships. Senior Micah Chelimo led the men with his first place finish, and junior Susan Tanui for the women with her second place finish. Chelimo held off Adams State's Kevin Batt by over 15 seconds, with a time of 28:56.6.  Tanui's finish was the highest ever for the lady Seawolves, with a time of 20:12.6, just 6 seconds behind Adams State's Alicia Nelson.

by Charlie Sokaitis Sunday, May 2, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Nearly 500 cyclists rode in the 10th annual Bike for Women event, held Sunday at Chugiak High School. Sunday's fastest time on the nine-mile technical course -- 23 minutes and 12 seconds -- was carded by Shannon Donley, but not everyone was gunning for the win. Some cyclists said there were plenty of other good reasons to take on the event. "We all want to get the patch this year, because if you do the Ski for Women, the Bike for Women and the Run for Women, you get a triple-finisher patch -- and we thought it sounded like a fun thing to do," said cyclist Molly Connelly.

Forget the football and beer, at least for the morning, Super Bowl Sunday means something a little different for women in Anchorage.  Today was the 16th annual Alaska Ski for Women at Kincaid Park.  Around 1500 women attended, and many dressed in some pretty outrageous costumes. "It's a little bit to top heavy so we're not going to do any fancy moves," Heather Wilson, who was dressed as a giraffe said. The event raises money for nonprofits that support ending the cycle of domestic violence in Alaska.

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime and in the nation today there are two-and-a-half million breast cancer survivors. 18-year breast cancer survivor Mary Katzke is a regular, when it comes to the annual Alaska Run for Women. She participated in her first run more than a decade ago. "I believe I've been in 12… You're a part of something that's this important. It's a life and death situation for many of us," said Katzke. Katzke works with a non-profit that will be distributing her latest work, "Survive and Thrive" at the run on Saturday.

Following the abduction of Anchorage teen Samantha Koenig, some women are determined to educate themselves about what they can do to avoid a similar situation. Alaska Training held a free self defense seminar at Anchorage Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on Sunday afternoon.   Over two dozen women attended the class, which lasted about 4 hours. Instructors taught women about how to avoid situations that could put them in danger.  Attendees also learned how to escape if someone tries to kidnap them.   Koenig's father, James Koenig, and several family friends attended the seminar.

Haley Holmstead scored 22 points and hit all 10 of her free throws to help the 8th-ranked UAA women's basketball team to a 74-70 victory over Simon Fraser in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference semifinals.  The win sends the regular season GNAC champions to the finals against Western Washington. Earlier in the week, Holmstead was voted GNAC Newcomer of the Year as the Seawolves swept the four major awards.  Gritt Ryder, the league's Freshman of the Year, poured in 12 points, while GNAC Player of the Year Hanna Johansson added 10. Saturday's title game is a rematch of the 2011 championship game won by UAA.        

The Alaska Run for Women had clear skies and a sunny forecast Saturday morning for one of the biggest events of the summer season. The 21st annual run raises money in support of breast cancer detection, outreach, education, awareness, and research. Nearly 7-thousand participants took part in the race, which included a 1-mile, 5-mile, and a party wave, all starting at the Sullivan Arena. The event did have a competitive aspect with the timed 5-mile portion. Susan Bick, a University of Alaska Anchorage runner, went blazing across the finish line in 29 minutes 12 seconds.

On June 8, Alaskans enjoyed the sunshine with temps in the low 60s from the annual Alaska Run for Women, to a typical weekend at the Spenard Market, and the even British Sports Car Alaska association gathering at the Loussac Library. Here's a photo blog of some of the fun stuff that happened in Anchorage. (Photo: KTUU's Kari Bustamante. Thousands line up for the annunal Alaska Run for Women at the Sullivan Arena Saturday morning.) This year's Alaska Run for Women marks the 21st year, and it raises money in support of breast cancer detection, outreach, education, awareness and research.

An event to raise awareness of breast cancer will take place Saturday morning. Individuals wanting to participate may still register today. The 2013 Alaska Run for Women kicks off Saturday, June 8, at 8 a.m. at the Sullivan Arena. Registration for the timed event is closed, but those hoping to participate in the non-timed event may register online until 5 p.m. Friday, or in-person at the Mulcahy Stadium on Saturday from 6:45 to 8 a.m. There is no set registration fee for this event, but a minimum donation of $20 is "respectfully requested" to cover coastal trail fees and race expenses.

On Saturday, the UAA women's track and field team claimed the program's first outdoor crown at the GNAC Championships.  With a team score of 169, the Seawolves were able to dethrone the 3-time defending team champion Seattle Pacific.  The men finished with 129 team points, good for a 4th place finish. Leading the way for the ladies with individual titles were Ruth Keino in the 5K and 10K, Susan Tanui in the steeplechase, Grace Morgan in the 100m and 200m, Karolin Anders high jump, and Haleigh Lloyd in the 400m hurdles.

On Saturday evening, several fire crews monitored a small wildfire on Kodiak near Womens Bay. The wildfire burned roughly an acre of land near Salonie Creek. According to Troy Brevik with the Coast Guard Fire Dept., the blaze started roughly around 8 p.m. Saturday and crews extinguished it around 11 p.m. Saturday. A number of local fire departments responded to the blaze, including the Bayside Fire Station, Coast Guard, and volunteers from Womens Bay. The fire reportedly did not damage any structures.

The Alaska Veterans Organization for Women held its annual fundraiser Saturday evening at Middle Way Café. The organization's goal is to provide support services for Alaska's nearly 8,500 female veterans and highlight women's service in the military. Alaska is home to the highest percent per capita of women veterans in the country. Money raised at the event will be used for their annual six-day wellness retreat in Homer, but organization leaders say their main focus is to bring women veterans together.

Anchorage men strapped on stilettos to raise money Saturday afternoon for "Standing Together Against Rape," a women's advocacy project, at a midtown mall. Participants walked for a full mile as part of the "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" fundraiser at the University Center that helps raise money for STAR, a group that supports women who have been abused. “I have several loved ones that have been directly affected by sexual assault, so I felt it was necessary to come and support the cause through STAR,” Anchorage police officer Tommy Quinlan said.

Anchorage police say a man who allegedly raped and robbed two women in their Downtown hotel room last month was set to be arraigned Monday on sexual-assault and theft charges. According to APD spokesperson Anita Shell, 18-year-old Robert Mitchell Gutierrez has been charged with four counts of sexual assault and one count of theft in the incident, which happened overnight March 16. Shell says the women, ages 19 and 21, were visiting from Soldotna for a shopping trip. One of them had met Gutierrez on the dating website plentyoffish.com, and made arrangements to meet with him when they finished shopping.

Becoming a mother is an exciting time in any woman's life -- but doctors say exercise during pregnancy, sometimes overlooked by expecting women, can be beneficial for both mother and child. Although pregnancy may seem like the perfect excuse to kick back, relax and eat those desirable foods you wouldn't dare consume on a regular basis, it could catch back up with you post-baby. For a group of women taking an exercise class specifically for future moms at Alaska Club South, fatigue, swollen ankles and achy backs won't stop them from expecting results while expecting.

From health care to business, 10 women in Alaska were recognized by the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce on Monday at the annual Athena luncheon. The Anchorage Athena Society has a goal of promoting women in business and recognizing “those who have inspired other women to achieve their full potential.” This year's Athena Award went to Helvi Sandvik, President of NANA Development Corporation. Sandvik was inducted into the Athena Society in 2004 and has won numerous business awards, including being named “Alaskan of the Year” in 2010 by the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce.