August 29th, 2005
MARQUETTE — Upper Peninsula Sled Dog Association Board member Marva Ittner reported the first mushers have been officially entered to run the U.P. 200 and Midnight Run sled dog races on February 17th, 2006.
"I've just received my second entry for the U.P. 200, and I've already received one for the Midnight Run...in August!" said Ittner.
The early entry dates may be attributed to the correlation between the registration policy and the start order for this year's races. The first fifteen mushers to register for each the U.P. 200 and Midnight Run will be drawing for starting positions one through fifteen in each race. Subsequent registrations will draw for starting positions in fifteen lot increments until all mushers have their bib, or start numbers. The starting position can make a difference in race strategy.
“The U.P. 200 does not use bib number eleven because that starting number was retired in memory of Musher Billy Orazietti. For this race only, we will draw starting numbers for the first fifteen registrants who will use bib numbers one through sixteen,” explains Ittner.
The first entrant for the U.P. 200 is Minnesota's Matt Weik, a 2004 Iditarod veteran and frequent competitor in the U.P. 200 and Midnight Run. Matt and his team finished in tenth position in the 2005 running of the U.P. 200. Also registered from Minnesota for the 2006 U.P. 200 is Keith Aili, also an Iditarod veteran and three time champion of the U.P. 200. For the past two years, Keith has placed third in the U.P. 200.
The 2006 Midnight Run's first registered musher is a Michigan resident, Newberry's Geri Minard, who will be running the race for the first time. She has previously competed in Michigan's Pelston Icebox Race as well as Michigan's Tahquemenon Country Sled Dog Race. Geri's kennel is named the Hindsight Kennel and her team will be led by five year old Alaskan Allie and four year old Alaskan Renie.
For more information contact Ittner at 906-942-7035 or UPSDA200MR@aol.com. More information on the U.P. 200 and Midnight Run can be obtained online at www.up200.org.
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Prepared by Beverly Stroh