ASPA Fun Race Results, 2009-2010 Season

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Fun Race #1, North Star Golf Course, 12/6/2009

by Pat DeRuyter

Ninteen skijorers enjoyed the beautiful warm weather and excellent, fast trails at North Star Golf Club as the Alaska Skijoring and Pulk Association hosted its first Fun Race of the season. A huge thank you to North Star Golf Club and ASPA volunteer groomers Pat DeRuyter and Don Morton for making such a great trail out of very little snow.

Greg Jurek with Tar, Che, and Bones turned in the fastest time of the day and won the 3-dog class of the 4 mile race with a blistering time of 13:19. Sara Elzey with Ayla, Dylan, and Millie came in second at 14:56.

Carol Kleckner with Blackberry and Shaman won the 2 dog 4 mile class with a time of 14:52. Don Kiely with Chance and Casper were second at 18:51, and Nina Ruckhaus with Tracker and Sam came in third with a time of 21:23.

In the largest class of the day with five participants, Bruce Miller with Roy won the 1 dog 4 mile class with a time of 16:45. Sara Tabbert and Pete were second at 18:38 followed by Wally Bandeff and Finny at 20:41.

Michael Ruckhaus borrowed two dogs, Chico and Carmen and went on to win the 2 dog 2 mile race with a time of 8:21. Rebecca Gilbert with Sharlee and Pepper came in a close second with a time of 9:04.

Virginia Parrish with Homer won the 1 dog 2 mile class with an excellent time of 9:02. Kimberlee Beckmen and Iris were second at 10:19 followed by Brandy Reeves and Tolovana at 11:04.

Kimberlee Beckmen and Lily won the 3/4 mile 1 dog class with a time of 2:53. Gail Davidson and Tobi came in second at 4:05.

Thanks to the race day volunteers: Registration, Don Kiely. Registration and starter, Pat DeRuyter. Timers, Jamie Marschner and Lisa Stuby. Dog handler, Don Morton.

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Fun Race #2, North Star Golf Course, 12/13/2009

by Pat DeRuyter

Twenty-one skijor teams participated in the Alaska Skijoring and Pulk Association Fun Race #2 at North Star Golf Club trails on Sunday. It was -4 degrees and the freshly groomed trails were fast but not icy. The moose that crossed the Golf Course just prior to the race stayed in the woods feeding on browse and didn't disrupt the racers.

Bruce Miller with his dog Roy set a season record in winning the 6 mile race with a time of 24:06. Sara Tabbert with Rothko and Pablo were second at 24:39 and Simon McLoughlin with Smoky and Porky overcame a missed turn to finish a close third with a time of 25:07.

Andy Warwick with Zip, Licorice, and Boots won the 4 mile three dog class with a time of 14:22. Don Kiely with Chance, Casper, and Jenny were second at 14:58, and John Schauer with Tsaina, Riley, and Willow were third just 9 seconds back at 15:07. In the 4 mile 2 dog class, Andy Seitz with Waylon and Yeller set a season record at 13:38. Carol Kleckner with Blackberry and Shaman also broke the old season record with their second place time of 14:23. Sunnifa Deehr with Sparky and Lexi were third at 15:43.

Janna Miller and Lilly won the 4 mile one dog class with a time of 18:19. Wally Bandeff and Finny were just 13 seconds back finishing second at 18:32. Kimberlee Beckmen and Iris came in third at 19:20.

Carol Kleckner with Chanel, Zorba, and Misty set a season record in the 2 mile 3 dog class with at time of 8:03. Don Kiely with his dogs Pippi and Borax were not slowed down by their passenger, "Flat Stanley," who is visiting Fairbanks from Minnesota as part of a second grade class project to learn about other parts of the United States. Don and his team won the 2 mile 2 dog class with a time of 8:47. Gail Davidson with Tobi and Cocoa were second at 10:55 and Don Morton with Cocoa and Toffee rounded out the top three with a time of 11:29. Gail won the "Chocolate Lab challenge" this time as both of Gail's dogs and all of Don Morton's dogs are chocolate labs.

Mara Bacsujlaky and Frosty won the 2 mile 1 dog class with a time of 11:42. Don Morton and his other chocolate lab, Reeses, finished second at 14:43. Jim Altherr and Sophie were third at 17:55.

Thanks to Don Morton for grooming, Andy Warwick race director and timer, Pat DeRuyter registration and starter, Alina Evans registration and timing, and all the volunteers who helped with dog handling.

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Fun Race #3, North Star Golf Course, 12/26/2009

by Andy Warwick

Saturday, December 26, 2009 twelve teams enjoyed the freshly groomed trails (thank you Pat) at North Star. The temperature was a balmy 10 above. Race volunteers were race director Andy Warwick, and registrars Pat DeRuyter and Janet Bandeff. Pat also assumed the starter position, and Janet and Andy were timers.

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Fun Race #4, North Star Golf Course, 1/31/2010

by Andy Warwick

Temperature: +7 F
Trails: excellent!

Volunteers:
Pat DeRuyter – Registration and starter
Andy Warwick – Race director and timing

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Fun Race #5, Creamer's, 3/10/2010

by Don Kiely

Temperature: +4 F
Trails: hard and fast!

ASPA Fun Race #5, Wednesday evening 10 March
Reported by Don Kiely

The Alaska Skijor and Pulk Association held its annual evening fun race on Wednesday at Creamer's Field. 23 teams took advantage of the lengthening days and hard, fast trails to spend some quality time with their dogs. Despite the low snow this year, the trails were well-groomed and the dips were the best they've been this season. With 23 teams on the trails, there were lots of head-on and overtaking passes, making it exciting for dogs and humans. Throw in a few wrong turns, and the evening was enjoyably chaotic.

Don Kiely, with Casper, Chance, and Jenny, had the 5.7 mile 3-dog class to themselves, finishing in 20:40. Peggy Raybeck with Carmen and Chico edged out Erin Trochim with Itty and Tarsus in the 2-dog class, 23:16 to 31:34. In the 1-dog class, Wally Bandeff with Finney finished in 27:16 to beat Gail Davidson and Cocoa's 31:34. Everyone doing the long course had to deal with groups of people on the trail as well as a moose that was smart enough to turn and run upon viewing the careering skijor teams.

In the 3.4 miles 3-dog class, Carol Kleckner was the only entrant with Millie, Shaman, and Blackberry, finishing in 10:43. The 1-dog class at that distance had one of the biggest fields of the day, with five teams. Janna Miller with Roy had a time of 12:52 to beat her husband Bruce with Lilly (13:15), who ran fast to catch up to mom. Ted Wu and Ty were third in 13:56. Dana Truffer Moudra ran twice, once with Cooper to finish in 15:15 and again with Saphira in 19:38.

In the 2.7 miles 3-dog class, Don Kiely with Pippi, Borax, and Raja again had the field to themselves, finishing in 10:45. In the 2-dog class, Rebecca Gilbert with Sharlee and Pepper won in 12:05. The other large class of the day was the 2.7 miles 1-dog. John Carlson and Rev won in 11:48, facing repeated head on passes from earlier starters.

Sara Elzey and Ayla and Dylan won the 1.5 miles 2-dog class in 5:09. Erin Atwood won the 1.5 miles 1-dog class in 14:09. And in the old dog half mile, Carol Kleckner and Robin finished in 2:45. Not bad for a dog who is almost 14 years old!

Volunteers:
Andy Warwick, race director and starter
Lisa Stuby and Peggy Raybeck, registration
Don Kiely, assistant race director and reporter
James, timer
Bruce Miller, calculator
Janet Bandeff, with Oliver

Fun Race #6, North Star Golf Course, 3/28/2010

by Andy Warwick

Great weather and trails. Race followed by an Easter egg hunt and a pot luck. Jamie Marchner was Volunteer of the Year. Jamie was also re-elected President. The Alder Award was given to Alice Stickney’s dog - Zephyr.

Volunteers:
Pat DeRuyter (groomer and starter), Clarice Dukeminier (timing), Paula Ruckhaus (timing), Jana Miller (timing), Peggy Raybeck and Kimberlee Beckmen and Rebecca Gilbert (registration), Bud Marchner (photography), Sunnifa Deehr (cook).

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Please send corrections or comments to Don Kiely.