The People Behind the CB300

Musher Emily Ford posing with her sled before the start of the Copper Basin 300.

The Copper Basin 300 dogsled race across the “toughest 300 miles in Alaska” started on January 11. Warm weather and thin snow coverage added to the challenge this year.

We talked to people in various roles to learn about what they do during the long days and often sleepless nights. We also got to see what was going on while mushers prepared for the race and arrived at the first checkpoint.

Preparing for the race

In the lot between the Caribou Hotel and Glennallen Fuel, a semicircle of mushers prepared their gear and teams by headlamp. The atmosphere was quiet, except for a semi idling nearby.

We talked with musher Emily Ford while she was getting ready. She was trying to dry out some of her stuff that had gotten wet on the way over from Willow, and figuring out what layers she wanted to wear in the strangely warm and rainy weather.

Ford was setting up her lines, getting ready to hook up the dogs. She explained the main line is called a gang line, and is attached to the sled with a bungee to make it less jerky. The dogs are attached to that with tug lines. She explained that some mushers, including her, also use neck lines to keep the dogs facing forwards, but others don’t. She also said every musher had their own unique system of setting up their sled and their lines.

While most people have heard of the lead dog, Ford took a moment to explain the role of the wheel dog. The wheel dog is closest to the sled, and does a lot of the work to move the sled around obstacles. He or she also has to be brave, well trained, and disciplined, because it can be scary having the sled barreling down right behind it.

Race Marshall Greg Parvin and Judges Erik Kelly and Will Peterson described their role as “helping keep people safe.” When asked about all the rules, they said it all boiled down to taking care of your dogs, and not have outside help. They also said it was unusual for people to seriously violate race rules. In past years, they had all been involved with the race in different ways, including running the race and volunteering as trail sweeps.

Cadence and Mason speak with (L to R): Race Marshall Greg Parvin and Judges Will Peterson and Erik Kelly. Photo by Allison Sayer.

Veterinarians travelled to Glennallen from all over the United States to volunteer at the race. We talked with vet Dario Marquez, who is originally from Miami and currently practicing in Texas. Marquez was excited to be at the race. He has also volunteered on the Yukon Quest and other races. “It’s one of my favorite things,” he said, and he described “sleeping in cars, tents and trailers” as part of the adventure to “go get dogs in remote places.”

Marquez told us vets check every dog before the race, including their hearts and skeletal systems. They check over the dogs again at a mandatory checkpoint, and are available for any additional requested care or exams.

Some of the veterinary team was researching rhabdomyolysis, a condition that occurs when dogs “work harder,” especially when there are changes in weather. Muscle tissue breaks down and releases kidney-damaging proteins into the bloodstream. It can be dangerous, but if it is caught and treated early, dogs generally recover well. Rest and fluids, including IV fluids, are the main early treatments. The study involved looking at whether genetics were linked to the likelihood of developing the condition.

Veterinarian Nikki Preston, from Fairbanks, described some of the creative ways she has treated dogs in the field during various races. Dogs are treated in tents, cars, and hotel rooms. During one race, Preston took dogs into a school gym in a remote village. She arranged them on the bleachers, and draped IV bags on the rows above them.

The Race Start

At the race start, the dogs were excited and loud. Each musher got staged at the start, then had to wait two minutes to start running. Some dogs were jumping straight up and down on their lines. We estimated more than 200 spectators, including kids running around and sitting in the snowbanks. A lot of locals took a chance to catch up with each other and cheer for the mushers.

 Volunteers and fans enjoyed chili and hot drinks at the Senior Center during the race start, donated by Cross Road Health Ministries.

A volunteer snowmachiner, a volunteer flagger, and a handler, all help musher Jessie Holmes get staged at the Copper Basin 300 starting line. Photo by Allison Sayer.

The First Checkpoint

After about six hours on the trail, mushers began to arrive at the Tolsona checkpoint. Every musher came in with their own style, from serious and disciplined to blasting tunes. The mushers had to be quick to put their hooks into the snow to stop the dogs.

 A small team of volunteers, led by volunteer coordinator Aline Stevenson, recorded times and checked to make sure mushers had mandatory gear.

 Since it was the first checkpoint, teams came in close together and it was intense. It was also a bit stressful for some handlers and mushers to maneuver the teams around to places where the dogs could rest.

Mason Lambert liked the area where all the dogs rested before continuing the race. People were cooking and dogs were curled up on piles of straw. We talked with handler Eric Straley, handling for musher Jonah Bacon running for Nautique Sky kennels. Straley talked about taking naps wherever he could during the multi day event, even pointing down at the snow.

 Handlers have to clean up all the straw, food and animal waste after the mushers leave. They also scout the entrance and exit to each checkpoint, help get the teams parked and then ready to go again, and can help the mushers get water. Many other chores have to be done only by the mushers.

 Straley described the dogs as a family, since many are either siblings or cousins. “Some sisters get along and some don’t,” he said, saying it’s the same with the dogs. It’s important to move dogs’ positions around to find good matches to run side by side. He also said it’s important to get the right dog in the lead because “you can’t push a wet noodle.”

 Two important people were honored at this year’s race. The honorary #1 bib went to the memory of local musher and dog enthusiast Rick Wilson, who passed away in October. His wife Suanne donated $200 to add to the race Sportsman Award.

 Race judges were given hats embroidered with Jim Davis’ name. Davis was a former race judge and musher who marked the Lake Louise section of the trail together with his wife Nancy. He passed away last August.

 This race would not be possible without the efforts of volunteers preparing the trail, working at checkpoints, and performing many other duties. If you are interested in helping with the race next year, you can find more information at www.cb300.com.