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Photo by Eric Engman

Photo by Eric Engman

FAIRBANKS — Billionaire philanthropist Melinda Gates completed the first leg of Saturday’s Equinox Marathon, running with a relay team formed in memory of her friend, Susan Butcher, the four-time Iditarod Sled Dog Race winner who died of leukemia in 2006.

The co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Forbes Magazine’s 40th most powerful woman in the world — she is a few notches behind Oprah Winfrey but ahead of first lady Laura Bush — Gates and her teammates called themselves “Susan’s Seattle Soul Sisters.”

The Soul Sisters, including Emily Neilson and Killian Noe, wore T-shirts featuring Butcher’s likeness while Butcher’s husband, David Monson, and one of Butcher’s daughters’ cheered them on.

“She was so strong,” Gates said of her late friend. “She loved Alaska. To be on her home turf is a really fun thing.”

It was Gates’ second time running part of the Equinox Marathon. The 44-year-old mother of three and wife of the richest American, also according to Forbes, belonged to a relay team last year after Monson called her and pitched the idea.

“What he said was, ‘I am running in a marathon. Come support me,’” Gates said.

Support meant that Gates would also don running shoes, which wasn’t a big deal because Gates has been pounding the pavement since she was 14. These days, she runs on a weekly basis with her relay teammates.

Noe, a pastor, said running is a great way to connect with friends.

“We’re talking about maybe doing the whole marathon next year,” Noe said.

“You’re talking about it,” quipped a smiling Gates.

With no paparazzi or bodyguard in sight, Gates, who wore simple running pants and no makeup, talked about her fondness for the Equinox.

“People support each other on the trail. It’s really nice,” she said. “The golden leaves. It’s so pretty.”

Gates’ 12-year-old daughter, Jennifer, approached and wrapped her arms around her mother.

“We’re just going to have pizza and play board games tonight,” Gates said.

Susan’s Seattle Soul Sisters wasn’t the only relay team inspired by camaraderie.

Laura Wayfield and Reagan Sawyer, a civil servant and a credit union supervisor, formed the team “SD for Your Freedom.” Barista Caitlin Smith was the team’s third member.

Wayfield’s and Sawyer’s husbands are deployed to Iraq. SD stands for sexually deprived.

Wayfield, who ran the first leg of the marathon and planned to run the third leg, said she was swarmed by bees at one point.

When asked what went through her mind, she said, “I was thinking about not busting my butt on the ruts.”

Sawyer, who hopped from side to side in an effort to warm up her muscles, said that after the race she planned to contact her husband in Iraq via instant message and tell him, “I did it.”

“I’ll have to buzz him and wake him up,” she said.

Student Alison Johnson belonged to the team “What Ales You,” while some friends formed the team “Wine Not.”

Johnson kept her muscles warmed up by hopping up and down.

“We’re just running for fun,” she said.

Contact staff writer Amanda Bohman at 459-7544.