Curtis Erhart in the open class, Annamaet Challenge Series #5. Photo by Dave Partee/SledDogStudio.com
The largest field of the season turned out Sunday for the final Alaska Dog Mushers Association Annamaet Challenge Series race of the season on Sunday at the Jeff Studdert Racegrounds.
A field of 34 dog teams and six skijorers raced in the final event prior to the start of the championship season.
Nine teams, many of which will enter the Fur Rendezvous World Championship this weekend in Anchorage, competed in Sunday’s Open class race that covered a 19-mile course.
Salcha veterinarian Arleigh Reynolds led the way, as his 17-dog team posted a winning time of 1 hour, 2 minutes, 35.6 seconds. That was almost two minutes faster than any of the other teams.
Curtis Erhart’s 18-dog team took second in 1:04:13.8, while Jeff Conn’s 14-dog outfit finished third in 1:04:19.6.
John Erhart and Jacques Phillipe rounded out the top five in 1:04:36.0 and 1:08:40.7, respectively.
The four-dog class attracted the most competitors with 11 teams entering.
Malinda Holmes race away from the field, covering the 5.9-mile course in 19:40.7. Karen Schaad finished second in 21:52.2 and Faith Gregory was third in 21:59.5.
Carol Kaynor won the four-dog AARP division, with Val Mackler taking second and Edie Forest finishing third.
Ami Gjestson rolled to victory in the six-dog class. She covered the 7.7-mile course in 24:24.7. Gracie Callis was second in 26:31.7, and Heather Hardy took third in 26:31.8.
Bonnie Borba won the eight-dog class by 13 seconds. She finished in 40:05.0. Beth Callis took second in 40:18.6.
Rob Downey was the 10-dog winner in 38:04.2, followed by Amanda Byrd in 38:33.3 and Erik Renneberg in 39:45.2.