2009 ASPA Race Across the Valley Results

Click to go to specific results:  Stage 1    Stage 2    Stage 3 and Overall Results
Reporting by Brian Charlton

Sunday was the conclusion of the 2009 ASPA Race Across the Valley (RAV). The RAV is a three-day stage race that has been going on for many years and offers participants a chance to race on trails not normally used for ASPA events. This year's race offered some exciting new venues. Day one took place at the ADMA Jeff Studdert Race grounds, but rather than using the standard race course, the trail took several cut-offs. This allowed racers to explore the rarely used inner loops. The second day of racing was at the Two Rivers Ski Area, an exhilarating venue because of its steep climbs and fast, winding downhills. The RAV finished with a real treat for the skijorers, the UAF West Ridge Ski Trails. Thanks to those organizations that allowed ASPA to use their trails for these events.

There were two divisions for each day, long distance and short distance. As usual, the shorter distance had the most competitors. The first day attracted nine short class racers and five in the longer class. Day 1 winners were Jim Herriges (Lena,Lily) in the short class with a time of 13:14 and Brian Charlton (Bonnie, Clyde, Wiggy) in the distance class, finishing in 26:49. Cindy Salmon (Chinook, Coho) finished just ahead of Sara Elzey (Ayla, Millie) to claim 2nd place in the short class with times of 14:41 and 14:47 respectively. Sara Tabbert (Pablo, Rothko) beat out Dana Truffer-Moudra (Saphira, Cooper) to claim second in the distance class finishing in 33:43 and 34:32.

Day two had 5 distance racers and 12 short class racers. Sara Elzey won the short class (Millie, Jazz) in 21:59, followed by Salmon (Chinook, Sockeye) and Herriges (Mabel) with times of 22:16 and 22:40 respectively. Friday’s winners in the distance class did a repeat, with Charlton, Tabbert, and Truffer-Moudra finishing in 32:09, 40:02, and 41:05 respectively.

Day three had the largest turnout of the series with 9 distance class and 19 short class racers. The short class was again won by Herriges (Lena, Mabel) in 13:58, with Chad Carroll (Elvis, Penny) and Salmon (Chinook, Coho) taking 2nd and 3rd, 14:24 and 15:37. The distance class was won by Charlton in 27:06, though Truffer-Moudra was able to catch Tabbert to take 2nd place for the day finishing in 32:19 to Tabbert's 33:17.

We determined the 2009 RAV champions by totaling the three day times. Jim Herriges won the short class, followed by Salmon and Elzey. Brian Charlton won the distance class, followed by Tabbert and Truffer-Moudra.

A huge thanks to all the volunteers who came out and made the races possible. We’d also like to specially thank our hosts at the three venues, the Alaska Dog Mushers Association, Two Rivers Ski Club, and the UAF Trails Committee.

See you next year!

The 2009 Race Across the Valley Directors: Sara Tabbert, Brian Charlton, Don Kiely.

Stage 1
ADMA Cut-Over Course
February 13, 2009

Short Distance: 4 miles
Long Distance: 7.6 miles
The course will be ADMA with a twist. This race will start from the ADMA hall and continue on familiar and unfamiliar trails, using some of the lesser known "cut-offs" to add interest. The short leg is four miles, the distance leg is 7.6 miles. These routes will test your dogs' ability to follow commands, especially for those of you who frequently train at ADMA!

Friday Volunteers:

Tom McGrane (trail groomer and marker)
John Schauer (timer, handler)
Emily Bernhardt (timer)
Andy Warwick (timer)
Brandon McGrath-Bernhard (handler)

Stage 2
Two Rivers
February 14, 2009

Short Distance: approximately 4.6 miles
Long Distance: approximately 7.7 miles, once around the entire course then once more around the 5K loop
The course follows the full 7.5 kilometer loop, with the long distance racers also doing the 5 kilometer loop, which is a portion of the longer loop. This trail is wide and well-groomed, but there are lots of steep up and downhill sections, a road crossing (we'll have someone there to keep it as safe as possible), some tight turns in various zig-zags, and a short two way section, all in a birch forest. This is a hard, demanding trail, but we always hear how much people enjoy this course. Your RAV registration fee covers the trail donation, but please feel free to donate a little extra to the Two Rivers Ski Club who so generously let ASPA members use their trails.

Saturday volunteers:

Ami Gjetson (road crossing)
George Salmon (intersection across road)
Tone Deehr (handler)
Chuck Deehr (timer, photographer)
Janet Smith (turn marker)
Andy Warwick(timer)
Bud Marschner (photographer)

Stage 3
UAF West Ridge
February 15, 2009

Short Distance: approximately 4 miles
Long Distance: approximately 8 miles, twice around the entire course
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The race will start on the flat section of trail to the West of the parking area and head south. It will proceed to the left along the power line until turning right onto the "T-Field Road". Follow the "T-Field Road" north and onto the T-Field continuing in a Northerly direction. Follow the T-Field trail to the left and continue straight (without turning up to the arboretum area), turning left once reaching the opposite side. Now head down the T-Field along the West side, taking a right onto the Smith Lake connector trail (at the bottom of the hill). Once reaching Smith Lake take a left staying on the outside edge of the lake until you get all the way around to the Potato Field access point. When you reach the Potato Field, turn right and follow the trail along the west side of the field until you reach the Lighted Loop. Travel up the lighted loop to the top of the hill. Turn right onto the Big Whizzy loop. After completing the Big Whizzy the trail will travel along the south side of the satellite dish until reaching the ski hut. Head past the ski hut to finish at the bottom of the hill where you started.

Sunday volunteers:

Kate and Dave West (handlers)
Pat Deruyter, Clarice Dukeminier (timers)
Andy Warwick (general assistance)
Peggy Raybeck (timer)
Erin and Lexi Atwood (handler)
Jason Garron (trail grooming)
Bud Marschner (photographer)
Emily Bernhardt and Brian Charlton (clean up)

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This page was updated February 15, 2009
Please send corrections or comments to Don Kiely.