Allison takes Junior Iditarod Sportsmanship Award

Charlie Allison of Talkeetna took tenth place in the Junior Iditarod this past weekend.  Cain Carter, stepson of Lance Mackey, placed first by a large margin and Travis Beals of Seward was second.

21 mushers, ages 14 to 17, competed in the weekend race.

Allison received the sportsmanship award, an award voted on by all other mushers for their favorite competitor.  Allison said he stayed up most of the night at the halfway point chopping wood for the fire.  The Junior Iditarod committee provides rounds of wood, but they aren’t split.  Allison said someone had to chop the wood to keep others warm.  He receives a $1,000 scholarship along with the award. 

Lacey Hart of Livingston, Montana received the Humanitarian award for her excellent treatment of dogs. She received a $1,000 scholarship as well.  Carter received $5,500 dollars in scholarships for his win.

Several mushers scratched this year due to poor and difficult trail conditions.  Allison said the trail conditions were challenging due to heavy falling snow the first day.  He said it was like trying to mush through sand. Those conditions showed in final times as Cain Carter and all the mushers came in at much slower times than last year.

 *the Junior Iditarod site has some incorrect times and postings.  check their site later for updated results.

**Allison is homeschooled and graduates this spring. He is planning on traveling next year and will attend UAF the following fall. He hasn’t qualified for the 2010 Iditarod and believes he’ll have troubles meeting the new qualification rules for the 2011 Iditarod as he heads to college in the fall of 2010.