CB300: Finish Line

Congratulations Ryne Olson, on taking out the 2017 Copper Basin 300!

Firstly, I wanted to let you know it was Tinder that Allen left with us in Mendeltna before the final push to Glennallen. Tinder had been running well but once he cooled down and had his nap at the checkpoint his hind leg started to get a bit sore and swollen. Only as Allen was stretching the team out before leaving did Tinder appear sore so, 10 minutes before leaving in a very precisely timed checkpoint stop (I'll tell you more about that later), he decided to leave him behind. We'll let him rest over the next week or so and see how he recovers. (Thanks to Derek for running to get the vet for us)

As you know by now, Allen and the Black Team finished in fourth position behind superwomen with their super teams Ryne Olson, Paige Drobny and Michelle Phillips. We are so incredibly happy for Ryne, she is a good friend of the kennel and it was exciting to see her and her team crossing the line in first position!

Allen came in with Rodney fast asleep in the sled bag! As we saw from Aliy's first leg - carrying a dog can really slow down your run time, especially a bigger boy such as Rodney. He is okay, he just a bit sore and tired, this was a really big deal for a two year old and he had been doing so so well up until that point.

Mismo and Izzy (edit: correction of leaders) led the team over the line and we quickly gave them a big meal, removed booties, harnesses, jackets and leggings. They got a massage and foot ointment then up into the truck quickly to get on with the serious business of resting.

Aliy and the Red Team came in sixth position behind Cody Strathe. She was also carrying one in the bag, Driver (edit: correction of rider) who has a sore right shoulder, slowing her speed down or, as Aliy said with a wry smile "we're training slow and steady". Chemo and Sparkie led for the entire race and both came in looking really perky. Everyone demolished their kibble meal or their snack meal (we give them lots of choices at the end of a race to satisfy whatever craving they might have - fish, beef, kibble, poultry skins...)

Chris and team are back and resting happily.

I am conscious that there is a big chunk of detail missing - I will work on a post with some details about Tolsona and Menteltna and I will also get a dog-by-dog account of the teams over the next few days.