The Birch Hill Race was a great success, according to the 17 participants in the race. The race was held to test the Birch Hill nordic ski trails as a venue for the 2001 IFSS Skijoring and Pulka World Championships. Everyone stayed on course, no one had a serious fall, and all dogs finished healthy. The electronic timing worked wonderfully, the dogs behaved beautifully, the weather was a little warm for the dogs but great for the workers and spectators and the skiers had a great time. As a result of the successful race, it has been decided the World Championships skijor and pulk championships will be held on the more challenging hillier terrain of Birch Hill.

We would like to thanks the following people for making this race possible: Jim Herriges for planning, trail selection and cleanup; Russell and crew for trail grooming; Kay Kindt and Clarice Dukeminier for registration, electronic timing and backup timing; Pat DeRuyter and Melinda Evans for starting and race managing; Chris Dubois, Cheryl Barrett, Sara Elzey, Jessica Ryan, and Lisa Stuby for dog handling; Jessica Ryan and Jim Herriges for snacks; Birch Hill for the use of the trails; the fun race sponsors (Wendy's, RIMPAC equipment, 49er Feeds, All Weather Sports, and Beaver Sports) for the prizes, and the Alaska Skijoring and Pulk Association for sponsoring the event.