Another
Underdog Race has concluded: Mushers and
Volunteers were blessed with Sunny Skies and hot weather. The rain from the night before hardened the
trail once it froze over. By the morning
the hard packed trail was fast and slippery.
A special thank you to Paul Hamlyn who cleared the fallen trees before
the Mushers reached White Fish. The 100
mile had to be shortened a bit since re-routing the trail off Stuart Lake. 6 teams left the starting line with 2 minute
intervals.
Leah Gifford
was the first one out, followed by Robert Gifford, Craig Houghton, Rachel
Marin, Jody Verge and finally Marcel Marin.
All 6 teams
travelled closely together the first 20 miles of the race. Slowly the teams spread apart on the trail. First to the halfway mark was Marcel
whom quickly turned around and left back out after his mandatory gear was
checked. Craig and Rachel Marin were in
soon after and also quickly were back on the trail.
Leah and
Jody stayed in the checkpoint for a while before giving chase. Robert had leader troubles and after giving
as much effort as possible, was forced to return to the checkpoint and called
it a day.
Leah chased
down the “Houghton’s” Teams and caught up to Craig and Rachel Marin by White
Fish, but overall was not able to maintain her speed.
Meanwhile,
in the front of the pack with a 6 mile lead, Marcel was closing in on the
finish line after 9 hours on the trail, his dogs were fed and put away and a
cup of coffee for Marcel.
Rachel Marin
and Craig Houghton were the next through the finish line. Their dogs look great, happy and ready to
keep on going. A short time after Leah
Gifford came flying in. Earning herself
the “top rookie” award and 4th place over all. Way to go LEAH!! Not too many 18 year old are
racing 100 miles on a Saturday night!!
A few hours later, a tired but still smiling Jody Verge crossed the
finish line with her 6 awesome tail wagging dogs. Jody put a lot of effort and time training
for the Underdog. Her goal was to
complete a 100 miler in less than 15 hours, she accomplished her goal and
shaved a few hours off her 15 hour target.
This
concludes the 6th running of the Underdog.
A special thank
you to Terrianne Houghton for being the Underdog Race Marshall as well as the
timer.
Chavez, Kane
and Sean for all the camp help at the checkpoint.
Also a big
thank you to Deirdre Houghton for hosting the banquet in her home.
Marcel Marin 8 hours 49 minutes and 5
seconds
Rachel Marin 9 hours 45 minutes and 30
seconds
Craig
Houghton 9 hours 47
minutes and 53 seconds
Leah Gifford 10 hours 37 minutes and 13 seconds
Jody Verge 12
hours 16 minutes and 16 seconds
Robert
Gifford DNF
Top
Rookie Leah Gifford
Sportsmanship
(voted by the mushers) Leah
Gifford
A few photos of the Mushers. ENJOY!!
Weather in Fort St. James, BC http://www.accuweather.com/en/ca/fort-st-james/v0j/daily-weather-forecast/52691
Welcome to the 6th running of the Underdog
Registrations are now closed, and we have 7 mushers signed
up to pull the hook on Saturday February 6th at 9:00 am.
This year the race will be ran to Whitefish Bay (25 miles)
and back in the bush for another 25 miles to the halfway checkpoint. There will be 2 tents set up for those whom
choose to sleep or rest for a while. We also
added a dog drop at the checkpoint.
Terry-Anne Houghton is this year’s Race Marshall. She will deal with any complaints, timing,
etc. {Checkpoint closing time will be
discussed at the pre-race meeting}
Mushers
Jodie Verge
Craig Houghton
Terry Houghton
Rachel Marin
Marcel Marin
Robert Gifford
Leah Gifford
Craig Houghton
Terry Houghton
Rachel Marin
Marcel Marin
Robert Gifford
Leah Gifford
Special thanks and
appreciation to the Houghton Clan. They are
providing the tents, skidoos, and a place to host the Banquet.
Race Start:
·
9:00 am at Terry Houghton’s yard
·
2 minute intervals
All mushers must sign in and out of the halfway checkpoint.
Mandatory Gear will be checked at the start, halfway
checkpoint and the finish line.
Start time difference will be served at the halfway
checkpoint.
Award banquet will be at Craig and Deidre Houghton’s place
at 1:00 pm Sunday February 7, 2016
All teams must finish
No quitting allowed.
No quitting allowed.
REGISTERED MUSHERS
Jodie Verge:
Kennel Name: V6 Kennels
Musher’s
Name: Jody Verge
How many
years have you been running dogs? 10
years
Race Bio: Mostly a recreation musher.
Have done some sprints and the Stage Race at the Calendonia Classic twice.
Craig Houghton
Kennel Name: Craig and Sean Racing Dogs
Musher’s
Name: Craig Houghton
How many
years have you been running dogs? 20
plus
Terry Houghton
Kennel Name: Craig and Sean Racing Dogs
Musher’s
Name: Terry Houghton
How many
years have you been running dogs? 30
plus
Rachel Marin
Kennel
Name: Craig and Sean Racing
Dogs
Musher’s
Name: Rachel Marin
How
many years have you been running dogs? Approx. 10 years (on call)
Race
Bio: A few short races here and
there in Nunavut, NWT and now BC.
Underdog , South Slave 2007
I ran Craig Houghton’s second team in the Wind Runner, the New years Race in Fort St. James, and now the Underdog
Underdog , South Slave 2007
I ran Craig Houghton’s second team in the Wind Runner, the New years Race in Fort St. James, and now the Underdog
Marcel Marin
Kennel Name:
Underdog Kennels
Mushing Years: 30
Race Bio: Percy 3 times, Great Slave 200 twice ( 1st 2005)
Qimmiq 5 times (1st in 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011)
Underdog 5 times (1st in 2008, 2010)
Yukon Quest (14th 2004)
Canadian Challenge 12 Dog in 2006 and 8 dog in 2012
Wind Runner (1st in 2013)
South Slave (1st in 2007)
Caledonia Classic, Diavik 150, and a bunch of other races.
Robert GiffordUnderdog Kennels
Mushing Years: 30
Race Bio: Percy 3 times, Great Slave 200 twice ( 1st 2005)
Qimmiq 5 times (1st in 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011)
Underdog 5 times (1st in 2008, 2010)
Yukon Quest (14th 2004)
Canadian Challenge 12 Dog in 2006 and 8 dog in 2012
Wind Runner (1st in 2013)
South Slave (1st in 2007)
Caledonia Classic, Diavik 150, and a bunch of other races.
Leah Gifford
2016 Underdog
will be held in Fort St. James, BC
February 6, 2016
Race will be 100 Miles, no drops all self-sufficient
7-dogs, there will be a check point half way for those who choose to stop.
1. $200.00 Per team
2. E-mail picture / race bio to yellowknife.underdog@gmail.com
Entry fee must be paid in cash / money order to
Marcel Marin
PO BOX 449
Fort St. James, BC V0J 1P0
EMT also accepted. yellowknife.underdog@gmail.com
Any questions, please call or text Marcel @ 867-445-2229
January 18, 2016 is the deadline to register.
Mandatory Gear
a) Axe
b) knife
c) matches or lighter
d) 2 working headlamps
e) sleeping bag
f) minimum of 5 pounds per dog (Dog food 35 pounds)
g) 8 booties for each dog
<dog food/booties are expendable items>
"f and g" do not have to be present at the end of the race.
1 hour penalty for each missing item.
**passing, trail conditions, check point wil be discussed at the pre-race meeting.
