Race Prep 3

In the on again, off again world of long distance sled dog racing where we are at the mercy of Mother Nature–and sometimes human nature, but more on that in a sec… The Don Bowers 200 Memorial Race was almost cancelled yesterday (1/26).

We have had a bit of snow over the past few days along the trail route and everything looked like it was going as planned when I was out on a training run on Tuesday. The trail crew had marked the trail very well with bright orange paper plates every 500 yards or so.

Today we get a message from the race organizers that the trail is great to the “tent” check point but after that it was dangerous and something about fishing someone’s snow machine out of a creek!

They informed us that they would be making and “official” decision later today but it would most likely be a 100 mile race instead of a 200. No worries for me. It will be a great experience for all of the young dogs in the kennel AND for me!

So it looks like we will run about 55-60 miles leaving from the Community Center, have a mandatory 8 hour “camp” and then run back. We wont finish at the Willow Community Center as planned but at the Eaglequest Lodge because we will run smack dab into sprint racers and the Winter Carnival.

If you know anything about sprint mushers and long distance racers– kind of like oil and water if you know what I mean (in regards to trails)…

Tonight is vet checks at 5 pm and the mushers meeting about 20 miles up the highway at 7.

Loads of fun!

Are You Ready for Some Mushing!!

 

Robert Forto | Team Ineka | Alaska Dog Works | Mushing Radio | Dog Works Radio | Denver Dog Works | Daily Post

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Dr. Robert Forto is a musher training for his first Iditarod under the Team Ineka banner and the host of the popular radio shows, Mush! You Huskies and Dog Works Radio Shows