CB300: Thanks Y’all

The team is on the way home to the kennel as I type, after another successful CB300 campaign. This was Allen’s 16th running of the race and his enthusiasm and enjoyment of the race hasn’t diminished.

This evening was the Finishers’ Banquet and Prizegiving in Glennallen where all the mushers got to swap stories and catch up with each other, some not having seen each other since the musher’s meeting prior to the race. Congratulations to all the prizewinners.

There are many people to thank that enabled us to run this race.

Thanks to the Copper Basin 300 Board of Directors that includes Jason Severs, Kari Rogers, Jan Miller, Catherine Vereline, Deborah Crowe and Jamey Kemp. We imagine there is more work than we could ever imagine that goes on in the “back room” to ensure the race is staged, so thank you.

To Nina Hansen and her volunteer vet and vet tech team. You are an integral part of the race and we sure do appreciate your advice and guidance, and your dog-first approach. To all the volunteers who checked the teams in and out of checkpoints, manned the road crossings, updated the website, sold merchandise, hauled drop bags etc etc. We hope you enjoyed being part of the race and we hope you can enjoy a good sleep now!

To the trail team, lead by Jamey Kemp. We’ve heard many mushers saying it is the best trail they have ever mushed on in the CB300. Although Mother Nature had something to do with that, it was mostly Jamey and his team! It is a difficult job that is much more than simply riding a snow machine in front of the first musher to break the trail. Several weeks of work done by the crew to put the trail in, then maintaining it up to race day is no easy feat.

To the race sponsors – of course it would be impossible to stage the race without you. That includes all the individuals who contributed to the “sponsor a mile” program. Special thanks to Trackleaders for the FREE GPS trackers. They are essential for those of us following from the outside. Thanks to those that donated directly to Trackleaders to enable the tracking to be free.

Thanks to the checkpoint hosts. Red Eagle Lodge in Chistochina, Meiers Lake Roadhouse, BLM Sourdough Creek Campsite, The Point Lodge on Lake Louise and the crew at Old Paths Baptist Church in Glennallen. Your hospitality means everything to cold, tired, hungry mushers and handlers. Thanks! If you are ever passing any of these great venues on your travels – call in!

Thank you to all the other competitors. The sportsmanship and camaraderie shown is one of the reasons we love this race and this sport.

Eternal and grateful thanks to our SP Kennel sponsors without whom we would not be racing any races! Major sponsors: Matson, Bob Huston, Pleasant Valley Store, North Pole Veterinary Hospital, T Rose Veterinary Services, Head-lites, Howling Dog Alaska and Kenai Satellite Phone Rentals (links on the right)

Thank you to all our individual dog sponsors, even if your dog wasn’t on the team this weekend, they all contributed in some way to our efforts. To our VIP sponsors, SP Kennel Champions, Red Team and Black Team members and all our Dog Fan Club members. Thank you all for continuing to believe in us and share in these crazy escapades.

And, to you – our followers on the blog and Facebook. Every comment, like, share or view is appreciated. Thanks for following along on this journey with us. We hope you enjoyed the coverage of the CB300 and you’re looking forward to using that “refresh finger” for 3 x the distance in a couple of weeks time at the Yukon Quest.

Allen would also like to especially thank his handler crew of Bridgett, Karolyn and Mark. Behind every great dog team is a team of great handlers. Heartfelt appreciation.