Ambassador Program
Application is now closes. Our application will open September 2025 for next Winter's Challenge. Hoping to apply? We are looking for athletes that are highly involved on our Virtual Race Across Alaska Private Facebook group through supporting others but also through inspiration, real life, and positive posts that help encourage others to get active in the Winter.
RAAWC Ambassador Benefits:
Complimentary entry into the RAAWC
RAAWC apparel package
Featured on our website
What does a RAAWC Ambassador do?
RAAWC Ambassadors help spread the word about RAAWC to their community!
Ambassadors should be:
Passionate and active runners, hikers, bikers, swimmers, and/or xc skiers
Outgoing and friendly people that believe in inclusivity of all types of people
Able to make a one-year commitment (September 2024-May 2025)
One-Year Commitment Includes:
Active on personal social media accounts posting about RAAWC
Active on our private RAAWC Facebook group & Instagram page
Involvement with local clubs to help spread the word about RAAWC
Engage with first timers in the Facebook group
Help at RAAWC events, if local (Solstice Tree Tour, Swag pickup events, medal pickup events)
Tina Torun
Anchorage, Alaska
This will be my 4th year participating in the RAAWC and an honor to be selected as an ambassador again. Born and raised in Anchorage, AK. I am very active in the local running community, in the Anchorage Running Club, Raven Run Club, and volunteer Athletic Director of Team RWB Anchorage. This year, I became the Alaska Ambassador for Marathon Maniacs and Half Fanatics. I run year round, but the RAAWC adds extra motivation to stay active during the winter months. The RAAWC helps make the winter months go by faster. I like to inspire and motivate others to get outside and enjoy our beautiful state. It is always fun to meet and see other racers in the community. The RAAWC has been very encouraging and has helped me stay connected to my friends, in state and out of state. The multisport challenge will help with GNT training.
Heidi Hatcher
Gakona, Alaska
I’m excited to return for another year in the Race Across Alaska! I’m a mom of two little boys who’ll be turning 2 and 4 this winter. I’m also a full-time wildlife biologist, spending far too much time at a computer or sitting still in a plane during the winter months. Aerial wildlife surveys are fun, but they are not active! Each winter the Race Across Alaska is the extra motivation I need to get outside and move after work, after the kids are in bed, and on the weekends; all the better if I can get them out there with me! I also have an amazing dog who goes along for most of my miles! I live rurally, so virtually all my miles are outside.
Fiona Taylor
Snoqualmie, Washington
Hello athletes! I am super excited and thankful to get to be an ambassador again this year!
I am from Anchorage, AK and currently live in Snoqualmie WA. I bike, run, walk, cross country ski, and hike and get outdoors as much as I can.
I love seeing everyone’s stories and great achievements during this wonderful event.
I love all of the positivity and encouragement that is shared throughout the race.
I feel like I’ve made so many new friends and I am consistently impressed, awed and inspired by all of the participants.
I hope to bring in racers from not just my area but many other states and places.
Carey Quiring
Seward, Alaska
This will be my 4th year participating in Race Across Alaska! 2nd year as an ambassador! I like hiking and running. I am hoping to complete a 100 mile race next year. I have enjoyed getting people involved in the Race Across Alaska. Winter in Alaska is hard but getting outside with friends makes it better!
I have completed the Resurrection Pass Ultra Races 50 mile x2, Little Su 50k and the Denali 100k. I’m currently in search of a 100 mile race. #raceacrossalaska will help keep me motivated to keep moving through those tough winter months while enjoying retirement!
Gianna McCune
Valdez, Alaska
I am a school counselor by day, endurance junkie by night (and a fierce Mama)! I have been doing triathlons for a long time, BUT have caught the Ironman bug in the last few years. My longest distances to date are the Alaska Ironman and the Escape from Alcatraz. I LOVE our Alaskan races and have completed numerous Gold Nugget races, half-marathons, the Tri-Flake Winter Triathlon and the Hammerman Triathlon. Being an Alaskan athlete is the best... NOTHING HOLDS US BACK! I am never the front of the pack, but I NEVER give up! I'm looking forward to training for Ironman Penticton and Oregon 70.3 in 2024. I am a member of the Cupcake Cartel and Blueseventy racing. I am excited to encourage all members of the Race Across Alaska challenge. The support, enthusiasm and love of movement is motivating and fun! Being involved in with this race has been the highlight of my winter months. I'm looking forward to a winter full of challenges and smiles!
Suzanne Bassett
North Pole, Alaska
I grew up in an outdoorsy Wyoming family and moved up to Alaska 10+ years ago. This is my second year with Race Across Alaska and I'm excited to be an ambassador this year to try to increase interest in the Northern Interior region of Alaska. This event motivated me to increase my winter activities last year: walking, running, skiing, and even ice skating. The accountability and encouragement of the group helped me find the energy for "at least a mile a day". This built the foundation for my first summer of amateur triathlons (several sprint races and swimming for relays) and introduction to trail running (Alaska Endurance Trail Run and hiking the Equinox Marathon). I love getting outside with my wife and our two boys, and frequently use exercise as a means to catch up with friends. Fellow Ambassador Carrie Plant and I formed the team Northern Attitudes to celebrate the uniqueness of the northerly latitudes and help promote Race Across Alaska in interior and Northern Alaska. Any attitude at all is welcome; we'll find a way to make it positive and forward-focused. This year my goal is to do the Alaska Long Trail 500 miles from Seward to Fairbanks and I also want to get into the sport of snowshoeing.
Rick Zwetsch
Holland, Michigan
Hi everyone...I'm Rick Zwetsch! I'm 66 years old and live in beautiful Holland, MI. I rode 2,218 virtual bike miles last winter in my first RAAWC. I'm a recovering ultra-cyclist having completed several 24+ hour bike races both virtual and IRL over the past 4 years. I've also logged 56,000+ miles on Zwift so when I was first introduced to RAAWC - I thought what a great way to keep focused through the long, dark, cloudy, cold winter months here in Michigan, enjoy some friendly competition with other RAAWC athletes in all different sports AND support Alaska Trails as they work to develop The Alaska Long Trail. This is just totally AWESOME! I'm currently on Day 283 of my self-imposed #Workout365 Challenge so the 2023/24 RAAWC will be the cherry on top of a solid 2023 and a strong kickstart to 2024! CHEERZ to you all and I look forward to seeing everyone log some strong miles staying active during the winter months and supporting a great organization!
