by Greg Lincoln
Raymond Alexie, age 19, of Kwethluk mushed his Alexie Racing Kennels team to another victory – winning the 50 mile Spring Challenge Sled Dog Race last Saturday. He finished with a total elapsed time of 3 hours, 39 minutes.
The race began on the river in front of Bethel by the Small Boat Harbor Slough at 11am. Thirteen teams competed in the Kuskokwim 300 Race Committee sponsored race. Teams mushed up river following the K300 trail and entered the Gweek River where they continued on to the turnaround point. Mushers then returned back to Bethel following the same route.
The event was originally meant to be the 100 Mile Challenge, which was postponed several times since February. Recent cooler temperatures made for an excellent trail for the mushers and for race spectators and fans.
Coming in a close second was John George of Akiachak mushing his Tag Along Kennels team. His finishing time was 3 hours, 42 minutes – just 3 minutes behind Alexie.
In third place was Tory Fitzpatrick of The Underdogs Wassillie Kennel. His time was 3 hours, 43 minutes, one minute after George.
Fourth place was also a close finish. Jason Pavila and his Bad River Kennel team crossed the finish line with a time of 3 hours and 48 minutes. The top five teams finished within a span of 15 minutes.
There were three total 1 minute-apart finishes altogether. The others were Mike Williams Jr. and Herman Phillip in 6th and 7th place, Isaac Underwood and Byron Pasitnak Jr. in 9th and 10th place.
Winning the Red Lantern Award was Leighton Wassillie of Snyder’s Kennels.
This race is the fifth event of the Delta Championship Series. Raymond Alexie is leading the series, he has won every race this season – the Season Opener, Holiday Classic, Bogus Creek 150, February 50 Doubles, and the Spring Challenge. He is also the reigning 2023 Akiak Dash Champion.
Up next is the Campout Race, weather permitting.
