|
2008 John Beargrease Sled Dog Race
This year's Beargrease was a Great Event! Blake and Jen each took a team in the Marathon, but Jen's race was
cut short before it began due to a crash in the starting gate that resulted in a broken hand.
Blake and his team did a wonderful job covering the trail in some of the most incredible
weather conditions possible - from temps steady around 37 degrees for the first 36 hours, to
8 hours of steady rain... 1.5 inches fell! Then on to -60 below windchills, all in 3 days!!
Arja and Phil each ran a team of young dogs in the Mid-Distance race and did a fantastic job! MCK friends John Vitek and Dave Lundberg were also in the Mid-Distance race. Thank you to all the supporters, sponsors, and pit crew for all your help! It would be an impossible venture without you!  Blake's Beargrease Marathon Team - photo by Kim Randolph Blake's Marathon Team
Blake finished in 8th place with 9 dogs - Jodi and Mac in lead. Good Job, Blake!  Blake Freking of Finland crosses the Temperance River after leaving the Sawbill checkpoint during the 2008 Beargrease Marathon. [CLINT AUSTIN/NEWS TRIBUNE]
   Phil's Mid-Distance Team
Arja's Mid-Distance Team
 Arja Mortensen of Suomussalmi, Finland Took a team of 8 dogs, including 6 two-year olds in their very first race, through the 150 mid-distance race in beautiful form. Each succesive leg of the race their speed increased and all eight dogs finished with tons of energy, ready to go some more. Great Job, Arja!
Jen withdrew from the Beargrease Marathon due to a crash in the starting chute that
resulted in a broken hand that required surgery. She's working on healing and won't let this keep her from the Iditarod!
 Jen with broken hand, broken sled and Aires in sled - photo by Kim Randolph Jen's Start
Vet Check: 1/26/08
NEWS COVERAGE!
Jen and Blake were featured in the Duluth News Tribune: "Finland couple's lives revolve around racing dogs" THANK YOU to Steve Kuchera for such a great story, and photographer Clint Austin for the wonderful images! Congratulations to Dave Lundberg and John Vitek
for good Mid-Distance runs as well! Dave's Mid-Distance Team
John's Mid-Distance Team
|
