The Alaska Skijoring and Pulk Association with a special permit from the Fairbanks North Star Borough and the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks held a Skijor Race at Birch Hill on Sunday Morning. (A reminder to the public that dogs are not allowed on Birch Hill trails without a special permit.)

The 15K 2-dog event was an International Federation of Sleddog Sports World Cup race. All finishers in both the Men's and Women's classes earned points toward World Cup medals. Patricia Baer (Angel and Blue Note) won the women's event with a time of 32:29. Lulie Williams (Hudson & Smoke) were second with a time of 33:45 and Kirsten Ballard (Indy, Champ) 35:02 finished third. In the men's division Jim Herriges (Buoy, Lily) set a blistering pace and finished in 30:25. Bud Rice (Doc, Tzar) were second with a time of 31:59. Andy Seitz (Ed, Mabel) were third with a time of 33:43.

In the 10K 1-dog event, Julie Morse (Kai) led the closely contested women's division with a time of 33:32. Gail Davidson (Tobi) was 6 seconds behind in second. Chris Terzi (Jaeger) was third with a time of 34:39. In the men's division Chad Carroll (Tico) came in first at 35:02. Jamie Hollingsworth (Lindyhop) was second at 39:46 with Andrew Lee (Emma) third with a time of 41:38.

The 7K event was divided into classes by number of dogs. Sara Elzey (Shadow, Ayla) won the 2-dog class with a time of 17:30. Jess Ryan (Viola, Azhim) was second 17 seconds later. Jessica Larsen (Eli, Lucky) were third with a time of 19:36. In the 1-dog class Jim Altherr (Sophie) won his first event is his two year skijoring career with a time of 26:32. Way to go Jim and Sophie. Amy Carroll (Clemson) was second at 29:31. Jamie Marschner (Bree) was third with a time of 35:39.

A relay event was held using IFSS rules after the final individual event. Four teams of three skiers with one dog each ran a 1.7 mile course. The first competitor for each team started in a mass start. After completing the 1.7 mile course the skier had to unhook the dog and line and pass it to a handler then ski up to tag the next participant from his/her team.  The relay team of Southcentral Alaskan skijorers, Bud Rice, Lulie Williams, and Kirsten Ballard won with a time of 21:56.  Mike Malvick, Rice, and Kiersten Lippmann started the mass start equally and were together for the first third of their leg with several lead changes.  Rice's and Lippmann's dogs then tangled and Rice broke a ski pole, giving Malvick a change to break away and give his team the early lead with the second fastest split of the day (6:41).  On the second leg, Williams passed Sara Elzey and skijored the third fastest time of the day (6:50) to give her team the lead for good, setting up the Southcentral/Interior Alaska rivalry for next year.  Jim Herriges' team was disqualified when Jess Ryan's dog Merlin balked at the mass start. Jim started 2 minutes late to take her place and then ran the third leg in the fastest time of the day (6:39) as well to help his team to a 22:46 time which would have been good enough for second place after overtaking Gail Davidson in the last 100 yards of the course.

Many skiers came up from Southcentral Alaska to participate in this wonderful event. A special thanks to the the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks and Fairbanks North Star Borough Parks and Recreation for the wonderful trails. Also ASPA volunteers Chris DuBois, Nancy Davidian and Jim Herriges for marking the trail; Don Kiely, George Salmon, Peggy Raybeck, Pat DeRuyter, Lisa Stuby and all the dog handlers.

Relay Results
(3x1.7 Miles)

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