2008 ASPA Race Across the Valley Results

Click to go to specific results:  Stage 1    Stage 2    Stage 3 and Overall Results

Stage 1
Chena Lakes
February 15, 2008
Reported by Sara Elzey

After a roller coaster ride of weather in the past several weeks, the first day of the 2008 Race Across the Valley turned out quite nicely. There was a fairly strong wind and some drifted snow on the trails, but the sun peaked out from behind the clouds for the start of the race. Chris Jenkins and the Chena Lakes crew had the trails in good shape and even opened up one of the restrooms and turned on the heat so that no racers had to make clandestine trips into the woods. Most of the racers thoroughly enjoyed their runs. There were several different groups of ice fishermen along the trail and a large group of tourists in matching red parkas who watched with wide eyes as the racers skied by. No wildlife sightings were reported other than a few ravens riding the wind currents. Lisa Stuby provide hot cocoa and home-baked chocolate cookies for all the human competitors, dogs got bags of treats. Thanks to Andy Warwick for timing the event at the last minute.

Fifteen skijorers and 29 dogs took part in today’s event. Brian Charleton with his team of Clyde, Bonnie & Wiggie handily won the 9.5 mile class with a time of 31:27. Emily Barnhardt and her team of Coral, Dusty and Calvin came in second place with a time of 33:50. Wes Graff, Matt Bray, Sara Tabbert and Wallace Bandeff rounded out the competition in the Long Distance class. The 4.5 mile Short Distance class had nine competitors. Andy Seitz with Ed and Yeller outpaced Jim Herriges and Lena with a time of 13:11 over 13:52. Peggy Raybeck with her team of Carmen and Cheddar (in his first skijoring race) came in third in 14:08, while Carol Kleckner with Jazz and Chanel finished fourth in 14:38. Andy Warwick, Sara Elzey, Don Kiely, Gail Davidson and Lisa Stuby rounded out the competition in the Short Class.

Thanks to all our volunteers today, including Andy Warwick (who almost single-handedly made the race happen), Lisa Stuby for the treats, and co-race directors Sara Elzey, Sara Tabbert, and Don Kiely. And a big thanks to the borough's Chris Jenkins for making the venue available and grooming the trails the night before!

Stage 2
Two Rivers
February 16, 2008
Reported by Carol Kleckner and Don Kiely

Twists and turns, ups and downs, dogs careening through a course that was technically very difficult yet amazingly fun! This was the second day of Race Across the Valley as 14 skijorers and their dogs took to the Two Rivers Ski Area cross country trails. These trails at 18 mile Chena Hot Springs Road are the most challenging trails that the Alaska Skijor and Pulk Association races on.

Five racers did the longer 7.75 mile course with Emily Barnhardt and her 3 dogs coming out on top with a time of 31:36. Following her were Wes Graf (3 dogs), Matt Bray (2 dogs), Sara Tabbert (2 dogs), and Wallace Bandeff, who completed the course with only one dog (and a rescued shelter dog at that!).

The short course took the skiers and their dogs 4.65 miles, just once around the full course at Two Rivers. Andy Seitz took the lead with two dogs in 17:48 but Jim Herriges and his maniac pointer Lena were just 15 seconds behind at 18:03. Rounding out the field were Chad Carroll (2 dogs), Peggy Raybeck (2 dogs), Carol Kleckner (2 dogs), Sara Elzey (2dogs), Don Kiely (2 dogs), Gail Davidson (1 dog), and Lisa Stuby (1 dog).

Lisa thought the people with 3 dogs were incredibly brave to do this course with so many dogs pulling them at top speeds but we were all in awe of Wallace, Gail, Jim, and Lisa with only one dog to help them up some extremely steep hills.

A big thanks to our volunteers today. Andy Warwick started us off and got us out in order, Janet Bandeff helped with timing and results, Brandon McGrath-Barnhard helped at the start and the long distance cutoff turn, Tom McGrane got us across the road crossing, Laenne Thompson took some great and incriminating photos of skijorers in action, and Carol Kleckner and Don Kiely assembled the results and repot. And co-race directors Sara Elzy, Sara Tabbert, and Don Kiely got it all together.

We are deeply grateful to the Two Rivers Ski Club and Kay Kindt for letting us use their trails and grooming them to perfection!

Stage 3
Creamer's Field
February 17, 2008
Reported by Brian Charlton

The 2008 Race Across the Valley stage race finished up with a fun and adventurous day at Creamer’s Field. The warm Sunday weather made for many eventful encounters with unsuspecting skiers and dog walkers who were also enjoying the trails. Several loose dogs, a standard poodle pulling a pulk, and a mother pulling a baby in a sled resulted in many a tangle and several good stories at the awards ceremony. True to the nature of skijoring, everyone seemed to brush off any misfortunes and finish with smiles on their faces.

Sunday had the biggest turnout of the three day series with 19 racers and 37 dogs hitting the trails. The Race Across the Valley champions were Emily Bernhardt, winning the 26.5 mile distance class in 99:54, and Andy Seitz, with a time of 44:34 for the 13.4 mile short distance class. Second place went to Wes Graf and Jim Herriges, respectively.

Many thanks must go out to Andy Warwick who, in addition to finishing 7th in Sunday’s race, was out at 10pm the night before repairing damaged trails to ensure a safe race. He was named RAV Volunteer of the Year by the race directors. Thanks to all of the other volunteers for timing, handling, and grooming; without them these races could not happen. Pat DeRuyter handled the start line, with timers Clarice Dukeminier and Janet Bandeff, and Sara Tabbert handling dogs. Laenne Thompson was the official photographer and Brian calculated and reported the results. Kimberlee Beckman and Andy Warwick groomed trails during the weekend leading up to the race. The co-race directors were Sara Elzey (head race official who did most of the organizing work), Sara Tabbert, and Don Kiely.

ASPA Homepage

This page was updated February 17, 2008
Please send corrections or comments to Don Kiely.