In January, 2000 Don Bowers—author, airman, dog driver—started a combined 200/300 mile dog race in Willow.
Following his death that year, a group of volunteers continued that race, now renamed in his memory. The race is a qualifier for the Yukon Quest
Banquet postscript
The banquet was a riot! Asked to provide some extemporaneous comments on the race, our mushers proved to be accomplished and very funny speakers. They all appeared to be members of some elite Rock and Tree club within the 2010 race (apparently some reference to an idiosyncrasy of the trail). Also interesting was the level of sportsmanship demonstrated out-of-sight of checkpoints; this group looked out for each other.
Prize money was paid to five places; the actual sum was increased over the minimum by a surprise contribution from Melissa Carpenter (Troy, NH) last October, who had just finished reading Back of the Pack and wished to make a donation.
Periodically, Roy and Lesley Monk sponsor special awards; this year Sue Allen won the Humanitarian Award for dog care, and Susan Allmeroth the Sportsmanship Award (holding her own and a riderless team for approx 45 minutes until the musher caught up).
This years race met and exceeded everything that Don could have hoped for.
Mike Bishop, Feb 3
Dog park at May’s cabin has become a “Field of Dreams” for magpies, ravens, and the neighborhood urchins who stand to reap a young fortune ($95) donated by mushers to rake and dispose of bedding straw, easier driven off than gathered and bagged in the hurry of departure. Thank you to the mushers and handlers, without exception, for a fine display of attitude and checkpoint manners.
Joe & Sandra (the management)
All checkpoint, individual and final times now posted.
An outstanding race; while it could have been a little colder, that moon must have made night on the trail a memorable experience. Thanks to all mushers for their general goodwill and sportsmanship, to the volunteers too many to mention, and to the trail crew who worked so hard in preparing and maintaining the trail.
DBMR Crew
Sue Allan was incorrectly declared “scratched” for a few hours; apologies (it’s a program, um, feature, that we have to work around).
Still waiting for three teams to show, although Roy reported two teams on Long Lake about an hour ago. And some photographs of the start, courtesy Donna Quante.
Mike Bishop, Jan 31, 10:22 Willow. Another sunny day, 0.1°F
Judy wins the tenth Don Bowers Memorial Race, in around 21:29 with only 9 dogs. Matt second and Varn third, Wayne fourth. Times (and minor corrections posted).
All teams appeared happy (of course, seeing the dog truck may have helped).
Congratulations Judy!
Mike Bishop, Jan 31, 00:32 Willow. Bright moon, 5.9°F
And the last two teams are through Morgan’s.
Mike Bishop, Jan 30, 19:10 Willow. Dark, 8.2°F
For some reason I missed entering Karen’s times through Morgan’s Cabin. In 14:39, out 14:41, 13 dogs.
Mike Bishop, Jan 30, 17:46 Willow. Still some light, 10.2°F
Back from the Carnival, where the two day sprint race has seventeen entries. Caught up with checkpoint times now. Notes from Morgan’s Cabin—
- Wayne was planning to rest a dog in the basket after leaving Morgan’s (overheated). This may widen the gap between Wayne and Judy (currently 11 minutes!)
- No complaints about trail; temp about 23°F (12:47pm)
- Hal awards Tangle of the Year to Varan Hoyt; team spooked about something on arrival, and it took seven frantic minutes of clipping/unclipping before the team could leave the checkpoint (happy, though).
May’s is now closed (barring returns from Morgan’s); May crew will see you at the banquet.
Mike Bishop, Jan 30, 15:40 Willow. Clear and sunny, 15.4°F
Hum and Burri out of May’s Cabin. Anticipate leaders at Morgans between 1—2pm. (Well, they were nicely rested, and arrived an half hour earlier than expected)
Mike Bishop, Jan 30, 12:28 Willow. Clear and sunny, 20.6°F
Correction, only five now remaining. Three teams left around 11:30AM. Many teams dropped dogs before leaving.
Seven teams how now left May’s Cabin, leaving eight still resting.
Mike Bishop, Jan 30, 11:49 Willow. Clear and sunny, 9.6°F (in shade)
Return run has started, with Curtis, Holod and Currier on the trail before 10:00AM. All teams are now into May’s Cabin; some dropped dogs, some scratches.
Mike Bishop, Jan 30, 10:18 Willow. Blue skies, 6.8°F
All teams are through Morgan’s, and most are at Joe’s.
Reports of softening trails in places, but still runable.
Elapsed times for leaders are—
| Wayne Curtis | 12:48 |
| Joe Holod | 13:05 |
| Judy Currier | 13:07 |
| Mat Hayashida | 13:55 |
| Varan Hoyt | 14:07 |
Mike Bishop, Jan 30, 7:00 Willow. 6.2°F
And Matt’s in to Morgan’s, continuing to Joe’s (22:57)
Judy Currier is in to Margans’s (22:21). One dog in sled, proceding to Joe’s.
Mike Bishop, Jan 29, 22:01 Willow. 11°F
And now Joe Holod in at 21:45 p.m at Morgan’s, out at 21:46.
We have a race!
And now through Morgan’s Cabins comes Wayne Curtis in 21:18, out at 21:20. 22°F at Morgan’s, 18°at May’s.
This may be a race for rookies. but experience tells.
Mike Bishop, Jan 29, 21:50 Willow. 13°F
Varan Hoyt is through Morgans at 20:26 (elapsed 8hrs8mins) breaking last years “record”. “Running strong and musher can’t set a hook they are so strong. Musher wants a rest, but dogs don’t!”
If he doesn’t stop, May’s just past midnight?
Mike Bishop, Jan 29, 20:52 Willow. Beautiful night, with bright moon. 14°F
All 18 teams out of Willow by 12:34. Last years teams took anywhere from 9 to 30 hours to get to Morgan’s Cabin. and it is much warmer this year.
Mike Bishop, Jan 29, 13:45 Willow Sunny spells 27°F
Seventeen teams signed up for the 200; snow showers likely on the morrow, with temps into the mid 30′s. This is the tenth actual running of the race.
Don will leave as honory musher #1, probably in a tee shirt.
Mike Bishop, Jan 28, 21:51 13°F