Racers Gather to Celebrate Rich Crain

In what will become an annual event, 20 racers gathered for the Rich Crain Classic fun run on Sunday, March 19th. 

Multi Users of Talkeetna Trails, or MUTT, had been planning the event when Rich Crain, one of the group’s most active volunteers, unexpectedly passed away. 

A former musher with a reputation of hosting five-star aid stations for numerous dog- and human-powered races across the state, MUTT hopes his namesake event is one that celebrates Rich Crain and his contributions to the area. 

The race began around noon, with teams of skijorers, bikers, pulks, kick sleds, and dogsleds pulled by up to four dogs. The course covered a two or five mile run through Talkeetna Lakes Park. About 30 spectators cheered on the racers.

After the serious five-mile skijor and open-class racers had begun, the two-mile open class, or more of a pet parade, began. There was very little pulling from these pets. They trotted alongside or behind their owners around X Lake. The lone kicksledder with no dog was a fierce competitor in the two-mile open class.

Anchorage skijorer Kori Marchowsky and her three-year old dog, Gable, covered the five-mile course in 27 minutes and 35 seconds for the winning time. They were handed a special one-of-a-kind MUTT medal.

All participants arrived back in time to enroll in a drawing for dog-sport goodies provided by the event sponsors. The full list of event results, sponsors, and more information about MUTT is on their social media channels and website, talkeetnamutt.org.