The temperatures at Birch Hill on the morning of the 10th Annual Birch Hill Skijor Races were warm—hovering at about 32 degrees. But just before race time the temperatures dropped nearly 10 degrees to a more dog-comfortable 23, making for excellent conditions for both dogs and skiers on the well-groomed trails.

The short classes began the day’s events as Sara Elzey (with dogs Zip, Licorice, and Boots) completed the 6K 3-dog race in 13:05, ahead of Don Kiely with Casper, Chance, and Jenny in 14:44. Carol Kleckner (with Millie and Blackberry) won the 2-dog 6K class with a time of 16:05 and Wally Bandeff with running a single dog Finny was second in 19:03. Jesse Warwick and Joba ran the fastest 1-dog 4K race (an even ten minutes) and Kimberlee Beckmen and Iris came in second in 12:43.

The largest field of the day was in the 1-dog 9K distance class. Jim Herriges and Lena gained an early lead heading up the stadium hill, followed by Bruce Miller with Roy and Rebecca Knight with Clyde. Herriges and Knight traded places a few times on the far end of the White Bear loop before Rebecca began to pull away on the inbound trail. Rebecca held on for the win, with a time of 21:35, followed by Herriges about 30 seconds later, and Bruce Miller finished third in 24:18. Knight, a Mat-Su Valley resident, also won the Gold Run skijor class two weeks ago and plans to compete in the Limited North American Championships next weekend. Her dog Clyde has local origins in the Probert-Sanford kennel.

Jeff Wells with Klarney and Galena won the longest race of the day, the 2-dog 13K class in 33:22 ahead of second place finisher Dana Truffer-Moudra (Cooper and Saphira) who finished in 35:35.

In the team relay event Jesse Warwick and Joba gave his team a one-second lead over Sara Elzey with Zip in the first leg. Jesse’s teammates Jim Herriges with Ole and Kimberlee Beckmen with Lily were able to expand that lead and finish 1st overall in a total time of 15:07. Overtaking Sara’s team for second place was Gail Davidson with Cocoa, Janna Miller with Lilly, and Bruce Miller with Roy.

Thanks to all the volunteers:
Trail setup: Andy Warwick (with snowmachine), Lisa Stuby, Rebecca Gilbert, Jim Herriges
Registration: Kimberlee Beckmen and Gail Davidson
Timing: Clarice Dukeminier and Jim Altherr
Photography: Bud Marschner and Liz Kane
Race Starter: Pat DeRuyter
Trail Cleanup: Andy Warwick, Don and Erin Atwood, Sara Elzey, Kimberlee Beckmen, Jim Herriges, Bruce and Janna Miller
Race Director: Jim Herriges
NSCF Trail Groomer: Donovan Granger—Thanks!

Thanks to the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks and the Fairbanks North Star Borough for the always-wonderful trails and facilities. Thanks also to generous sponsors who provided prizes for the event.

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This page was updated March 7, 2010
Please send corrections or comments to Don Kiely.