Good Morning Race Fans!
Teams are headed into the halfway point of Bethel led by 2021 Bogus Creek Winner Richie Diehl. Mushing weather is absolutely beautiful with light winds, nice temperatures and great competition. Just a few miles behind Richie is Nic Petit, with 2020 K300 Champ Matt Failor and our own 5 time Champ Pete Kaiser about 8 miles behind them.
This year’s race is way off the rails in terms of a “normal” K300 with great temperatures and conditions in addition to the Covid 19 Race Course. Other changes are in terms of layover rest. A traditional race mandates that Teams must have 6 hours of rest in the checkpoints of Kalskag on the way up, Aniak, or Kalskag on the way down. Teams can “spend” their rest in any configuration as long as it adds up to 6 hours. Finally, on a “normal” race, Teams have a vet check and mandatory 4 hour rest before heading to the Finish Line.
This year, with a change to the race course, the layover rules are also different. It’s a bit confusing, but here goes–
Teams will pass through the Tuluksak checkpoint 4 times.
- Tuluksak 1- On the first loop to Bogus Creek.
- Tuluksak 2- Coming down from Bogus Creek on the way to the halfway Bethel Checkpoint
- Tuluksak 3- Headed back up to Bogus Creek and the “second lap”
- Tuluksak 4- Coming back down from Bogus Creek on the way to the Finish Line.
Teams can “spend” their rest, or split it up, between Tuluksak 2, Bethel Halfway, or Tuluksak 3.
One the way down from Bogus Creek, Tuluksak 4, Teams will be required to have the mandatory 4 hour layover and vet check.
Some Teams have already taken some layover time in Tuluksak 2, while Richie, Nic, Matt, and Pete have decided to make the run all the way into Bethel. This would be similar to a run all the way to Aniak on a traditional course.
Teams will be sequestered from the Public near the Bethel Fitness Center. The public is not allowed in the building and is encouraged to watch from a distance.
Richie and Nic should be in Bethel soon and Matt and Pete probably an hour behind.
It’s looking like a great race. Winds have been predicted to increase from the Northeast, but so far we have a reprieve!
Go Team Kaiser!!
