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March 17, 2016 by

We are so happy and relieved to have all our athletes home! There were a lot of emotions in that chute this afternoon.

Quito and Junior lead the team in with Lester and Chena in swing then Sissy and Lydia, Nacho and Spark, Champ and Tinder, Driver and Iron, and Amber and Violet in wheel. They all look FANTASTIC and, although a little tired, they were happy and quite deservedly proud of themselves.

We have lots of photos and video to sort through, including dog lot pictures, and I will get the to you later this evening.

Now you can relieve your “refresh finger” of its duties.

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24 Responses

  • Awesome ending, Black Team! So proud of the canine and human athletes. Going to rest my refresh finger for next year. 🙂 Can't wait to see more pics and video. Get some rest pups and humans!

  • Thank you so much SP Kennel Crew for keeping us up to date and so involved. There were many mentions on the Iditarod site and Insider about the great SP Kennel Crew, blog and the fan base of Aliy and Allen. Your attention to us, the fans, is a major part of why we love you so much. But most importantly, SP Kennel represents integrity, professionalism and the best in dog care and mushing. THANK YOU!

  • Congratulations Allen and team! I'm so happy everyone is safe and sound getting some much needed rest. I have enjoyed Everly minute of following both the Red and Black teams. ~Meredith

  • So thankful both teams are safely into Nome. Rest well. What great races Aliy & Allen.

  • So thankful both teams are safely into Nome. Rest well. What great races Aliy & Allen.

  • Great finish for the Black Team! Squeaking in under the wire at less than 10 days! Woohoo! So great to see both teams over the finish line with happy dogs who proudly gobble up their meat snacks.

    I am so appreciative of all the great posts you've made to the DogLog during the race and I look forward to more as you recuperate in Nome, party at the banquet, and then get set for your long trip home.

    I'm so proud to be fan of SP Kennel – it's full of fantastic people and fabulous dogs!

  • congratulation on reaching Nome with a great looking, great performing team, Allen!

    thanks to the whole SP Kennel team for sharing your 2016 Iditarod adventures with us. I have been tethered to my computer the entire time by the updates here on the Dog Log & on the gps tracker. & I'll do it again next year!!

  • Such a tremendous race, Allen, bringing 14 mostly youngsters home in this rebuilding year. Seeing Quito and Junior in lead at the start in Anchortown and on Front Street in Nome brought big smiles here! Kudos to you, Aliy, all those Good Dawgs, and your amazing support team. It's an honor to support you all. –Cliff Michel & Family

  • Congratulations SPK Black team: Allen, Quito, Chica, Lester, Nacho, Amber, Champ, Chena, Driver, Iron, Junior, Lydia, Nomex, Sissy, Spark, Tinder and Violet!
    for a personal best time with personal best # of dogs to the finish!
    🙂

    Allen, you and Aliy have not only made 2016 exciting, you have pretty much insured that 2017 will be even more exciting.

    Between the Red and the Black Team there is quite a contention who have proven they know where the finish line is.
    2016 all of these SPK elite athletes made it to Nome.
    Two year olds: Commando, Amber, Champ, Chena, Spark, Tinder and Violet
    Three year olds: Driver, Iron, Sandy, Chipper, Dutch, Lydia, Kodiak and Junior
    Four year olds: Izzy and Mismo
    Five year old: Chemo
    Six year old: Schmoe and Sissy
    Two legged: Aliy and Allen
    🙂
    and we know Clyde would have!
    Beside Allen and Aliy at least five more youngsters have proven themselves able to lead.
    We all know there are five of the FIVE who are ready for any opportunity they might get.
    Who knows who was left home for something as minor as a sore toe.
    Honestly, we know there are several older pups who aren’t ready to hang the booties.

    I say the team to watch out for 2017, 2018, 2019 ????
    SPK all the way!
    They’ll be having fun running on TRAILS!
    Five top FIVE finishes in a row.
    You are quite the team.
    You are a force in the mushing world.
    Enjoy some rest and fun.
    🙂
    Moira, Thank you so much for keeping us connected with the team we absolutely admire and LOVE!
    🙂

  • Yep the refresh finger gets a rest but not the blogging finger looking forward to viewing all the post race updates well done to all of the SP kennel family and a big woof woof to all the dwags …..🔴⚫️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️ Denali 🐾🐾and Joanne 🇦🇺

  • Yep the refresh finger gets a rest but not the blogging finger looking forward to viewing all the post race updates well done to all of the SP kennel family and a big woof woof to all the dwags …..🔴⚫️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️ Denali 🐾🐾and Joanne 🇦🇺

  • watched the video of Allen coming in and the live feed. HUGS says it all, It was nice to see everyone reunited!
    Great race for both teams.
    have a great rest, and enjoy Nome.
    sending big hugs to all the SPK kennel, wonderful team !!!!!!
    Maureen from Canada

  • Welcome home, Allen and dogs. SPK SOLID together, many warm thoughts, hugs and congratulations to Aliy, Allen. the whole crew and the amazing dogs..
    Julie V

  • This is wonderful!!! I can now sleep well! The human and canine family are reunited, triumphant and safe! All is well!!!!

  • Chena, if she could speak, would probably say she is honoured to have been allowed to run with these great teammates on the Black Team.

    And especially would like to say thanks so very much to her musher. What a guy!!!

    Also, she would want to thank Moira for relating all their adventures so accurately and with humour, too.

  • Another fantastic run by the Black Team, way to go Allen!
    Everyone is now home safe and sound and our Aliy has her 'Rock' back.
    As it should be.
    Congratulations to all of the SPK team and a HUGE thanks for the most excellent job done on the dog log.
    Cheers
    Ingrid

  • Aliy Zirkle,

    I am so sorry for what you went through. You are an inspiration to me and so many others.

    You are the real deal and the kind of person that makes me proud to be an American.

    I pray that you can let this go, and to the best of your ability and beyond your ability go forward.

    Many people look up to you and feel close to you even though you do not know them, they feel they know you.

    May God Bless you and Comfort You,

    Chuck Beickel

    http://www.fbcutah.org

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