Alaska State Legislature
News From The Senate and House Majorities

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary, (907) 258-8184
Jerry Ritter, House Majority Press Secretary, (907) 258-8164
Anchorage LIO
Anchorage, AK 99501
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

Legislative Leaders Urge Support for Racers

16 to Vie in Fairbanks-to-Anchorage Wheelchair Rally

For Immediate Release: July 16, 1998 Contact: Sen. Mike Miller at (907) 258-8184 or Rep. Gail Philips at (907) 258-8164.

Juneau -- Senate President Mike Miller (R-North Pole) and House Speaker Gail Phillips (R-Homer) are urging all Alaskans to show their support for the wheelchair racers and handcyclists participating in this year's Sadler's Midnite Sun Ultra Challenge, which begins tomorrow (Friday) in Fairbanks.

"This is the longest event of its type in the world, 367 miles in ten days," said Miller. "The 7 wheelchair racers are being joined for the first time this year by 9 handcyclists, showing the world the abilities of people who happen to have disabilities," Miller said.

"This year, our American racers are being joined by Canadians and, for the first time, Russians," said Phillips. "In addition, volunteers from all over the world are lending a hand and, coincidentally, seeing Alaska firsthand. We want to make this experience a rewarding one for every one of them.," Phillips said.

The Sadler's Midnite Sun Ultra Challenge is run under the auspices of Challenge Alaska. Anyone who would like to help out with the race can contact the Challenge Alaska office in Anchorage at 344-7399, Fax 344-7349.

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Fairbanks Daily News Miner photos from last year's event.

Eight racers in Sadler's Midnite Sun Ultra Challenge, a 367-mile wheelchair race from Fairbanks to Anchorage, leave the ceremonial starting line in front of Golden Heart Plaza Friday morning. (Photo by Mike Mathers) http://www.newsminer.com/news/news71397/l11race1.html

Eric Charnholm, left, keeps pace on the Parks Highway as he rides with his friend, DeAnna Sodama of Carlsbad, California in the Sadler's Midnite Sun Ultra Challenge Wheelchair Race Friday. (Photo by Mike Mathers) http://www.newsminer.com/news/news71397/l11race2.html

Eric Kaiser of Santa Barbara, Calif., bottom left, passes mile 340 Parks Highway on his wheelchair as he pushes south in the Sadler's Midnite Sun Ultra Challenge Wheelchair Race Friday morning. (Photo by Mike Mathers) http://www.newsminer.com/news/news71397/l11race3.html