Birch Hill Races

By Nina Ruckhaus, Race Director, and Sunnifa Deehr

The 2015 Birch Hill Race began with a large field of 11 racers in a mass start 7.5 km 1-dog race. First to the finish was Rebecca Knight with Clyde, shortly followed by Heidi Brook and Sasha, and Bruce Miller with Roy. The two-dog interval start race was led by Sunnifa Deehr, and followed by Sarah Elzey. The event was capped by a three -team relay race, with nine content and very evenly paced dogs and people.

The snowy, windy weather was ameliorated by excellent grooming prior to the start at 9am. The early start was set up so that some racers could get to the North Pole Championships. Race Director was Nina Ruckhaus assisted by volunteers Jesse and Andy Warwick, Lisa Stuby, Kathleen Boyle, Chris Burrow, Chuck and Tone Deehr, and Bruce Miller. This is the 14th consecutive Birch Hill Race put on by ASPA and it is one of the highlights of the year’s skijoring events with contestants also from Anchorage and Whitehorse.