A dozen local runners tackled the epic Fourth of July Mount Marathon race.

Race history was made with Swede Emelie Forsberg, 28, finishing the 3.1-mile race at 47 minutes, 48 seconds, smashing the women’s 1990 record of 50:30 by Nancy Pease. In the men’s race in the afternoon, Forsberg’s boyfriend, 27-year-old Spaniard and mountain-running superstar Kilian Jornet, made an equally triumphant, procession down Fourth Avenue, winning in 41:48 to lower Eric Strabel’s 2013 record of 42:55.

Soldotna’s Allie Ostrander crossed the line in 50:28. Were it not for Forsberg, Ostrander would have matched Bill Spencer’s feat of winning his first senior race in a course-record time the year after aging out of the junior race.

Three generations of Chapple family runners pose in their official finisher shirts. From left are Jennifer Chapple Waltenbaugh, Megan Pitzman, John Chapple III, Ethan Pitzman and Elysha Chapple.

-Photo by Stephanie Pitzman