ASPA Fun Race Results, 2008-2009 Season

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Fun Race #1, North Star Golf Course, 11/16/2008

by Pat DeRuyter

The Alaska Skijoring and Pulk Association held the first Fun Race of the year at North Star Golf Club on Sunday, November 16, 2008. The temperature was 10 degrees and the trails were in excellent shape. The two moose seen just outside the golf course before the race stayed off the course during the race.

Twenty-eight teams competed in eight classes with the most competitors in the 4 mile 2-dog class . Kriya Dunlap with Brahma and Zeus led the field of 9 teams with a time of 12:14. Andy Seitz ran two teams and finished second and third with times of 12:42 and 13:25.

The second biggest class of the day was the 4 mile 1-dog class with Peggy Raybeck and Chico leading the field. Edel Agersborg and Duke, competing in their first skijor race ever, came in second at 18:56. Bruce Miller with Roy and Gail Davidson and Tobi tied for third with a time of 22:03.

In the 4 mile 3-dog class, Carol Kleckner with Jazz, Jenny, and Blackberry came in first at 12:58. Andy Warwick with Zip, Boots, and Licorice were second at 13:54 and Sara Elzey with Chance, Millie, and Zorba finished third just 10 seconds back at 14:04.

In the longest race of the day, 6 miles, Brian Charlton with Clyde, Fanny, and Wiggy came in first with a time of 19:01.

Sara Elzey with Ayla, Robin and Casper won the 2 mile 3- dog class with a time of 7:28.

Peggy Raybeck with Carmen and Trakker won her second race of the day posting a winning time of 7:42 in the 2 mile 2 dog class. Carol Kleckner finished second in her second race of the day. Carol with Chanel and Borax finished just 13 seconds back with a time of 7:55. Nina Ruckhaus with Tracker and Sam finished third at 8:45.

Bill Carter with Annie won the 2 mile 1-dog class at 10:25 and Jamo Parrish with Ripple won the .75 mile 1 dog class.

Roy and Lily , Jana and Bruck Miller's dogs each competed in two races. Roy completed the most distance by finishing two 4 mile races for 8 miles with a 6th and 3rd place finish.

Thanks to Greg Jurek and Pat DeRuyter for doing a great job of grooming the North Star Golf Club trails. Volunteers for Fun Race # 1 were Andy Warwick, Pat DeRuyter, Clarice Dukeminier, Marcia Lawrence, Paula Ruckhaus and Greg.

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Fun Race #2, North Star Golf Course, 11/23/2008

by Pat DeRuyter

Thirty-one teams raced at North Star Golf Club in ASPA Fun Race #2 on Sunday, November, 23. The trail was hard and fast and the temperature was -3 degrees at the race start and -1 degree at the race end.

Three season records fell including in the largest class of the day (9 competitors) where both Kriya Dunlap (Brahma, Zeus) and Greg Jurek (Che, Rib) both broke the two-dog 4 mile record by tying for first with identical times of 12:23. Andy Seitz finished both third and fourth with his two teams with times of 13:02 and 13:04.

Carol Kleckner (Jazz, Jenny, and Blackberry) won the 3-dog 4 mile class with a time of 13:34. Andy Warwick (Zip, Licorice, and Boots) were second at 14:01 and Sara Elzey (Ayla, Millie, Zorba) were third at 14:23.

In the 4mile 1-dog class, Mike Kramer and Decoy set a new record with a time of 14:29. Bruce Miller and Roy were second at 15:50 and Chad Carroll with Elvis (who was not in the building, but on the trail) finished third at 17:54.

The most competitive class of the day was the 2 mile, 2-dog class. 7 competitors raced and the top six finished within a minute of the leader. Peggy Raybeck (Charlie and Trakker) won with a time of 8:10. Carol Kleckner (Chanel, Robin) were second just two seconds back at 8:12. Greg Jurek (Jose, Diego) were third at 8:23.

Ted Wu and Ty won the 2 mile 1-dog class with a new record time of 9:39. Bill Carter and Annie were second at 11:40 and Janna Miller and Lilly were third just three seconds back at 11:43.

Jamo Parrish and Ripple won the .75 mile class with a time of 4:07.

Thank you to Roger and Melinda Evans for the use of the North Star Golf Club Trails, Greg Jurek for grooming the trials in the cold on Saturday, race volunteers Andy Warwick, Pat DeRuyter, Paula Ruckhaus, Jesse Warwick, Jane Parrish, and all the dog handlers.

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Fun Race #3, Creamer's Field, 12/14/2008

by Andy Warwick

Twenty-seven teams braved the sub zero temperatures and showed up at Creamers Field for the Alaska Skijor and Pulk Association's third fun race of the 2008-2009 season. Andy Seitz had the fastest time of the day finishing first in the 3.8 mile race with a time of 11:47. Carol Kleckner won both the three dog, 3.8 mile and the two dog, 1.5 mile races. Thanks to race director Andy Warwick and timers Paula Ruckhaus and Judy Warwick.

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Fun Race #5, Creamer's Field, 1/25/2009

by Andy Warwick

Eighteen teams enjoyed a break from extreme temperatures of -45 and +45 and participated in the Alaska Skijor and Pulk Association's fifth scheduled fun race of the 2008-2009 season at Creamers Field. Race volunteers were race director Andy Warwick and registrars Lisa Baraff and Sara Elzey.

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Fun Race #6, Creamer's Field, 3/10/2009

by Andy Warwick

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 (6:00PM) Thirty-two teams took advantage of 25 degree temperatures and late afternoon sun, and participated in the Alaska Skijor and Pulk Association's sixth scheduled fun race of the 2008-2009 season at Creamers Field. In tight race, youth beat age as six-year old Kendall Kramer behind Decoy, with a time of 2:45, narrowly beat by five seconds Andy Warwick with thirteen-year old Lady. It was Kendall's first race, and like her dad Mike, she will probably get used to winning. The good ending story of the day was Carol Kleckner's dog, Shaman, slipping his harness at the start, chasing Sara Elzey's three dog team around the 3.9 mile course (beating her badly), and miraculously returning to Carol's truck. Shaman had been severely abused by his previous owner, and is extremely skittish around other dogs and humans. Needless-to-say, everyone was relieved when he was safe back in Carol's dog truck.

Race volunteers were race director Andy Warwick, registrar Lisa Stuby, and timers Lisa Stuby and Paula Ruckhaus.

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Fun Race #4, Creamer's Field, 3/17/2009

by Don Kiely

A small but enthusiastic group of skijorers and dogs gathered for the Alaska Skijoring and Pulk Association’s Fun Race #4. This race had been postponed and rescheduled several times during the season because of weather and trail conditions, so everyone was pleased to be able to get it in before the end of the season.

Three teams went 5.6 miles. Don Kiely had the field to himself in the three-dog class (Raja, Casper, Chance) taking 22:52, while Jamie Johnson (Lemon, Wragel) edged out Gail Davidson (Tobi, Cocoa) in the two-dog class, 25:33 to 25:48.

Sara Elzey (Ayla, Millie, Zorba) was the only competitor to go 3.9 miles with three dogs, finishing in 12:00. Carol Kleckner (Jenny, Chanel) finished in 12:33 as the only two-dog competitor. Bruce Miller (Roy) beat Ted Wu (Ty) in the one-dog class, 13:16 to 14:48.

Sara Elzey’s second run (Robin, Loon, Misty) was in the 2.9 mile, three-dog class, finishing in 11:21. Carol Kleckner (Jazz, Blackberry) beat Rebecca Gilbert (Sharlee, Pepper) in the two-dog class, 10:17 to 12:27. And Janna Miller (Lilly) finished with a time of 12:54 in the one dog class, beating Jim Altherr (Sophie) with a time of 25:51.

Don Kiely’s second run of the day was in the 1.4 mile three-dog class, finishing in 5:29.

In the spirit of St. Paddy’s Day, there were prizes for the best costumes. Jamie Johnson took top honors with green highlights and an immense green wig. We’re pretty sure her dogs ran their best ever, trying to get away from the green-headed monster following them. Bruce Miller was second, with a green flowered lycra racing outfit. Fortunately, the cold of the day forced him to add layers during the race, so no dogs were frightened. Jim Alther was close behind with a green hat that evoked images of the Cat in the Hat, gone green. We have no idea how such a large hat stayed on during the race!

Ever vivacious Pat DeRuyter was starter, timer, and costume judge, and Jim Altherr spent hours the night before on a cold, windy evening grooming the trail to perfection. Bruce Miller helped start after his run so that Pat could be at the finish line. Don Kiely was race director. Several other people pitched in to help where it was needed.

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Fun Race #7, ADMA Trails, 3/29/2009

by Andy Warwick

Thirty one teams participated in the Alaska Skijor and Pulk Association's final race the the 2008-2009 season at the ADMA dog musher's trails on Farmer's Loop. Carol Kleckner was a double winner with wins in the 5.9 mile and 3.7 mile events. Andy Seitz won the 7.7 mile race and Sara Elzey was first in the 4.5 mile race. The 3.7 mile event was broken into three classes with Caroll Kleckner winning the three dog, Sara Conn winning the two dog, and Jim Herriges winning the one dog classes.

Following the race was a barbecue and election of officers for the 2009-2010 season. Jamie Marchner was reelected President of the organization.

Race volunteers today were race director Pat DeRuyter, race officials Clarice Dukeminier, Peggy Raybeck, Tom McGrane, Penny Parker, Erin Atwood, and Lexie Henning.

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Please send corrections or comments to Don Kiely.