YQ: Feet, Maybe Inches!

As predicted, it looks like Brent fired up his dog-motor as Allen approached on the river and pulled out just in front.

According to the tracker (with updates at the same minute) the duo appear to be mere feet — maybe inches! — apart.

Looking back at my data, I think I may have missed a couple of points when Brent spent a little more time in checkpoints than Allen did.

In other words, I’m admitting that my assessment of how much faster Allen is than Brent may be a bit optimistic.

I still think he’s been a bit faster, but I can’t honestly vouch for how much… It’s close!

Either way, over the next few hours I expect them to run in tandem to Braeburn. There they will both take a mandatory 8-hour rest, then sprint to the finish… Yikes!

Earlier in the race I mentioned primary sled dog attributes: Ability, Attitude and Appetite.

I hope you can now see why — in such a long race — attitude and appetite come to the fore. It’s all about the heads and hearts of the dogs, and the fire in their bellies.

I’d be willing to bet that both Allen and Brent are feeling like they’re the weakest link in the team, and hoping against all odds that they don’t let their dogs down.

Honestly, folks, this stuff makes me tear up in awe of these dogs… Stay tuned!