Good Evening Race Fans! What a beautiful day!!
After a near perfect day out on the trail, Teams made their way to the halfway point in the race just as the sun had set on the Tundra.
Father Alexander Larson was first into the Hangar Lake halfway point at 6:26 PM, but the 2004 Bogus Champion was only two minutes in front of Richie Diehl at 6:28. Team Kaiser A Team Ron Kaiser was in at 6:32, and B Team Pete Kaiser at 6:33. Jason Pavilla arrived at 6:38 to round out the top 5.
Both Ron and Pete remarked that conditions were almost perfect. Pete said, “I can’t believe this no wind thing. It sure doesn’t happen very often out here!” Both mushers were in great spirits. Ron said “I’ve never been this close to the front at this point in the race. Too much fun!”
I try to keep my distance always during a race as there is much work to do. As soon as the Team made it to the camp, Pete and Ron were hard at work putting grass beds down and watering and feeding the Team. The camp is in a really nice spot on the northeast corner of Hangar Lake. They were surely expecting wind as it is tucked into the trees. Richie Diehl and his Team share the spot and everyone is staying in their “bubble” or masking appropriately.
Every cloud has a silver lining and the change to the race because of Covid brought some really nice benefits. Bethany has never been at a Bogus Halfway point and it was special for her to be able to bring food and hang out with Pete and the Team. Pete hasn’t run this race since 2008 when he won it as he is usually in the Kuskokwim 300. Father and Son, Pete and Ron, have never run a race together, so this is special for them as well. I know I like the format as Bethel spectators get to see part of the race as well.
The menu tonight at Che’ Hangar Lake is Chicken and Moose Soup and bread for the humans, while the Team is eating Sheefish from Kotzebue as well as Pork Bellies.
After a 4 hour break, Teams can head back onto the trail. I’m figuring 4:15 to 5:00am finish early Sunday Morning.
Here are some photos from the halfway checkpoint. Go Team Kaiser!
