The AARP Division
 Val Mackler |
AARP Alaska sponsors 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. Racers compete for prizes in each race and also earn points, and the top points-getter at the end of the Challenge Series is declared the AARP Division Champion.
Here's how it works:
Anybody can sign up for the AARP division. They must follow all ADMA rules—be a racing member, have a sled bag, pay the entry fee, and so on.
They draw just like anybody else in the 4-dog class, but must 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—a scratch handicap. An AARP dog is considered to be 8 years old—a scratch handicap.
The handicap is often reworked to make it more equitable, but here's an example of a past formula: for every year away from 50 years old, 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 years old, 7 seconds is added or subtracted from the official finish time.
So if you run a six-year-old dog, add 14 seconds to your time. If you run a ten-year-old dog, deduct 14 seconds from your time. If you are 50 years old and you run 4 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 are prizes for the top finishers at every challenge race, and a grand prize 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.
Although there is a slight handicap based on the musher's age, mushers of all ages are encouraged to participate. The purpose of the division is to keep active older dogs doing what they love to do—running!
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 daisyacres@mosquitonet.com.
For more information about AARP, visit the AARP website and the AARP Alaska website.