Statesman

Issue date: 1/28/09 Section: Outdoors

Media Credit: Joe Olivieri Junior Christa Kamphenkel Just after the start of the Beargrease last Sunday at Ordean Middle School.

Media Credit: Joe Olivieri An eager huskie awaiting the begining of the race on Sunday.

Five! Four! Three! Two! One! The announcer at the John Beargrease Dog Sled Marathon counted down the last seconds before UMD junior Christa Kamphenkel began her trek up the north shore.

Kamphenkel was wearing number 134 across her chest as she embarked on the long journey ahead. Led by Flake, Lenny, Gator, Coors, Guma, Orville, Chat and Rat, Kamphenkel began her journey under heavy applause. She is no stranger to the sport. In fact, she has been coming to the Beagrease race since she was only one. Her father Dave was proud to see her participating in the race she grew up admiring.

"There's nothing better than seeing my daughter take off with the dogs," he said.

The John Beargrease Dog Sled Marathon is an annual race that draws mushers from all over the world. The trail winds through the north woods and Sawtooth Mountains, making it one of the most challenging races in the U.S.

There are two races included in the event: the mid-distance and the marathon. The mid-distance, in which Kamphenkel participated, starts in Duluth at Ordean Middle School and runs up the North Shore to Tofte, Minn. The Marathon is more complex; it begins at Ordean as well, but goes all the way to Poplar Lake, just a snowball's throw from the U.S./Canada border. The marathon follows the same route up the North Shore as the mid-distance, except for two exceptions: Beaver Bay and Devil's Track. Beaver Bay being the birthplace of John Beargrease.

According to the John Beargrease Web site, he was the son of an Anishinabe chief and spent most of his years delivering mail between Two Harbors and Grand Marais via dog sled in the 19th and early 20th century. When the mushers arrive at his gravesite, they pay homage by leaving tobacco.

UMD is honored to have one of its own participating in the event. Kamphenkel believes that success in the sport lies heavily on the musher's vitality.

"You have to mentally prepare yourself," Kamphenkel said. "Once you get down, you're down, so you have to stay positive."

She is also aware that her demeanor can easily rub off on the dogs, so she tries to keep a positive milieu so that her dogs will retain the energy needed to finish the race.

Veterinarian Jerry Vanek agrees "1,000 percent" with this idea.

"The best mushers have an extremely positive attitude," Vanek said, "Even if they have to fake it at times."

Vanek has been participating in the Beargrease as a veterinarian since 1992 and has been mushing since 1973. He is weathered in the sport and has a tight grasp on its components. To him, the sports is all about strategy.

"If you abandon your race strategy, you will fail," Vanek said.

He said that many mushers like to hold their dogs back throughout the beginning of the race in order to maintain a steady pace. Kamphenkel agrees with Vanek's emphasis on strategy.

"You have to take it leg by leg and focus on the checkpoint you're on," Kamphenkel said.

At 2:06 Saturday afternoon, Kamphenkel's crew was raring to go. As she shot off from the starting line, she had to step on the brake occasionally to slow down her eager dogs.

When the dogs are so anxious to run, there is a risk of injury, but, according to Vanek, you can't force a dog to do more work than it is willing to do.

"Some dogs will work harder than they should, but you can't push a rope up a hill," Vanek said.

The most common area for injury occurs on the feet. The mushers dress their dogs in booties but their feet are constantly hitting the ground, exposing them to the possibility of injury. Vanek said that a lot of the dogs will show minor lesions on their feet, but they tend to heal as they run.

Mushers took off in frigid weather on Saturday, but cold tempera tures didn't seem to be a concern. According to Vanek, the dogs perform best in negative degree weather.

"They are not like humans," Vanek said. "They can't take off their coats when they get hot."

So while it may seem like a harsh sport on the animals, they are actually built perfectly for what it requires. Vanek explained how over time, mushers picked up a sense of which dogs worked best for racing. He said that the lean, athletic dogs can pull a sled to great distances, and he is amazed at their potential.

They are the most phenomenal species on the face of the planet," Vanek said. "It's such a privilege for me to work with them."

Kamphenkel absolutely adores her crew of dogs, and she views them as part of the family. When you watch her tending to her dogs, you pick up a clear sense of happiness registered by her smile.

Racing sled dogs is a major part of Kamphenkel's life; she said it's time consuming but very rewarding.

"It's in my blood," Kamphenkel said, "And it's really hard to get rid of."

For those interested in experiencing dog sledding first hand, the RSOP will be managing a clinic where you can learn more about the sport. The event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14, but you must register by the 11th. So visit the RSOP and sign up now!

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