NEW 2016 UNDERDOG RACE

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 4^th 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 6^th 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 6^th running of the Underdog

Registrations are now closed, and we have 7 mushers signed up to pull the hook on Saturday February 6^th 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

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.

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         

Race Bio:    Caledonia Classic, Underdog, Percy de Wolf, Yellowknife 150 and a variety of of other races              

Terry Houghton                                               

Kennel Name:  Craig and Sean Racing Dogs  

Musher’s Name:    Terry Houghton  

How many years have you been running dogs?       30 plus         

Race Bio: Caledonia Classic, Percy de wolf, Canadian Challenge, a variety of mid distance races that no longer exist.

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 

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 Gifford

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.

AND THE WINNER IS..........................

CRAIG HOUGHTON

2015 UNDERDOG CHAMPION!!

Craig Houghton  3:44

Marcel Marin      3:57

Dyan Bergen        4:39

Sean Houghton     4:45

Paul Hamlyn          4:55

It was a fast paced race this year.  -30 degrees at the race start without the wind chill.  Dyan Bergen led the pack followed by the Houghton teams.  Paul Hamlyn and Marcel Marin were the last ones out of the blocks.  Craig Houghton took the lead by the end of the Ice Road and never looked back, his team was led by “Quarter”.  His single lead white hound, his team consisted of 6 Males and 1 Female.  He pulled away from the pack and smoked the competition.  His team peaked and fine tuned for the Underdog.  He set a new track record of 3:44

13 minutes later, Race organizer Marcel Marin rode in to claim 2^nd prize.  

Yukon Quest Veteran Dyan Bergen and her super steady team came in 3^rd and also claimed the Best Cared For Team voted on by the Race Officials.  She also claimed the Sportsmanship award, which was voted on by all her fellow mushers.  

4^th place went to “Rock Star” Sean Houghton, the crowd favorite, he grew quite a fan fair from the local media interviews, including CBC’s Northwind and the Edge Magazine.  At only 11 years old, this remarkable young man took his team of 5 dogs around the 50 mile track in a time of 4:45.  For his efforts, Sean took home a $500.00 cheque from Aurora Telecom, $250.00 prize money, A $400.00 Arctic Cat Jacket donated by Yellowknife Chrysler Motor Sports.  And Countless other prizes.  WAY TO GO SEAN!!!!

Rounding off the top 5 was Paul Hamlyn and his team of Sepalla Siberians after racing in the Yukon this winter.  Pauls team hardened by many miles and other mid-distance races, came in at respectable time of 4:55.  All the teams finished under 5 hours and 2 teams finished under 4 hours. 

Not bad for a little 7-dog race.

Then as a tradition of the Underdog, we all went back to the Hamlyn’s and ate for 5 hours!  Thank you Irene Vasa for the Chilli J

The Underdog thanks its awesome crew of volunteers which makes this race possible.  The professional crew kept the racer’s safe, on the trail, and informed the rules.

Jerry, Ian, Zach, Kane, Wayne, Brena and Rachel.  This race couldn’t of happened without the volunteers.  Thank you so much.

So, a big thank you and shout out to the Sponsors, Volunteers and Mushers.  See you all next year.  

Current weather in Yellowknife, NT

Purse as of Today (March 20, 2015)

1st Place -   $500.00
2nd Place -  $400.00
3rd Place -   $300.00
4th Place -   $250.00
5th Place -   $ 200.00

PRIZES AVAILABLE FOR THE FOLLOWING

• TOP JR. TEAM AWARD               $500.00
• TOP ROOKIE AWARD     $100.00
• SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD      $  50.00
• BEST KEPT TEAM AWARD              $   50.00 (gift certificate)

Donations

Jerry Vanhantsaeme - Race Marshall

Wayne Willis - Trail Help

Thank you for volunteering with trail help and race organizing!!  GREATLY APPRECIATED!!

                                                                                                            

Thank you to Aurora Telecom for the Generous Donation:

3917 Ragged Ass Rd., Yellowknife  NT   X1A 2T4

(867) 766-4884

                                                                                                                                 

MIDNIGHT PETROLEUM

HAY RIVER ADDRESS:

42099 MACKENZIE HIGHWAY

HAY RIVER  NT   X0E 0R9

(867)-874-2201

YELLOWKNIFE ADDRESS:

NEGUS POINT

YELLOWKNIFE  NT   X1A 2N7
(867) 873-6214

                                                                                                                

Thank you go ENODAH LODGE - 

for their generous donation of Enodah clothing and CA$H

http://enodah.com/

                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                             

AFTER 8 PUB - YELLOWKNIFE

For a total donation of $100.00 in Gift Certificates

You can find their facebook page on

https://www.facebook.com/After8Pub

                                                                                                                

Sushi North - Yellowknife

669-0001

To make an online sushi order visit

www.sushinorth.ca

                                                                                                                                           

Yellowknife Chrysler – Power Sports (Arctic Cat Jacket)

http://www.yellowknifechrysler.com/

                                                                                                                                     

The Hamlyn family for hosting the banquet.

                                                                                                                                           

Ms. Irene Vasa {Chilly Cooker}

                                                                                                                                           

Thank you to the Olesen Family for the donation of the new book written by Dave Olesen.

Kinds of Winter: Four Solo Journeys by Dogteam in Canada’s Northwest Territories by Dave Olesen

                                                                                                                                  

POLAR FUELS FOR DONATING A KNIFE FOR THE TOP JR. MUSHER.

349 Old Airport Road, Yellowknife, NT X1A 3X6 (867) 766-2777

  

                                                                                                                

LAKE AWRY - YELLOWKNIFE FOR THEIR DONATION

http://lakeawry.com/
                                                                                                                

COYOTES STEAKHOUSE AND LOUNGE

VIEW THEIR COMPLETE MENU, NEWS AND EVENTS ON THIS WEB-LINK

http://ykcoyotes.com/
                                                                                                                

ZACH SLEDS

                                                                                                                

KINGLAND FORD - YELLOWKNIFE

View their details at:

http://kingland.dealerconnection.com/

                                                                                                                

BOREALIS KENNELS

VISIT THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE AT 

https://www.facebook.com/ykbkps

                                                                                                                

The Edge YK

Visit their Magazine at

https://edgeyk.com/

                                                                                                                

PIONEER SUPPLY HOUSE

Visit their website:

http://pioneersupply.ca/
                                                                         

Underdog Registered Mushers

Marcel Marin - Yellowknife, NT

Sean Houghton - Fort St. James, BC

Ian Stevens Yellowknife, NT

Craig Houghton - Fort St. James, BC

Paul Hamlyn - Yellowknife, NT

Dyan Bergen - Yellowknife, NT

50 Mile Race **Underdog 50**

UNDERDOG RACE DATE IS APRIL 4, 2015

The Underdog was started in 2005. It is a race designed to be a competitive race for the small Kennel owner. e hope that every musher competitive or not come out and enjoy themselves.

1. Running of the Race

Timed Start

The race is 50 Miles

Exact Trail will be discussed at the Pre-race meeting (TBA)

Race starts no matter the weather.

.

The race marshal has final say over any matter from start of race to closing. Anyone with complaints must contact the Marshall within reasonable time. Mandatory gear is also part of the rules.

2. Passing

All Dogs must have necklines (Including leaders) unless you are running a single leader.

a) Any team which is caught after the 2 miles of start must give way if asked by the faster team. The over taken team must come to a complete stop, if asked.

b) Any Musher whose team cannot properly pass a stopped team will not be given the right of way

c) First 2 miles and the last 1 Mile of the race trail will be considered as no man’s land. Trail does not have to be given if asked in this area

3. Mandatory Gear

a) Axe

b) Knife

c) Matches and Lighter

d) Working Headlamp

e) Sleeping Bag

f) 4 Pounds of dog food/per dog.

Items a, b, c, d, e must be present at start and finish of the race.

Any missing items will result in a 30 minute penalty per item.

(dog food does not need to be present at finish line).

Mandatory gear will be checked at start, and finish line.

4. Dogs

• 7 Dog Maximum, •

No Dog Drops

• No abuse of any kind towards dogs, volunteers, or other mushers.