The AARP Division

Val Mackler

AARP-Alaska is once again sponsoring the AARP Division within the 4-dog Challenge Series races. The purpose of this division is to give you a chance to show off the skills and enthusiasm of your older sled dogs.

Here's how it works:

Anybody can sign up for the AARP division. They must follow all ADMA rules and be a voting member, have a sled bag, pay the entry fee, and so on.

They will draw just like anybody else in the 4-dog class, but must pay an additional dollar (cash) and fill out an AARP entry form in order to be registered for that day's AARP race. The entry form is where they declare their age, and the ages of each dog in their team.

Both drivers and dogs will be handicapped according to age. An AARP driver is considered to be 50 years old--scratch handicap. An AARP dog is considered to be 8 years old--scratch handicap.

For every year away from 50, the driver must add or subtract one second from their official finish time (add if they are under 50, subtract if they are over 50).

For every dog year away from 8, 7 seconds is added or subtracted from the official finish time.

So, you run a six year old dog, add 14 seconds to your time. You run a ten year old dog, deduct 14 seconds from your time. If you are 50 years old and you run four eight year old dogs, your AARP time is your finish time.

AARP wants to promote an active lifestyle for older persons. ADMA wants to give old dogs a chance to play. Come join the fun!

There will be prizes for the top finishers at every challenge race, and a cash bonus to the AARP points champion—a reward for their ability to keep old dogs working happily throughout the season. You don't need to run the same dogs in every race.

The twinkle in their eyes and the excitement in their bark is priceless when they hear that countdown and get to once again be in the limelight out on the race trail. So don't just leave them sitting home on chains, bring them out to play in the AARP division!

For more information or to donate prizes, contact Lynn Orbison at (907) 488-9685 or email lorbison@ptialaska.net.

For more information about the American Association of Retired Persons in Alaska, visit the AARP website.