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Arrowhead 2012 A Keeper! We Sleep Now.

Thursday, 02 February 2012 20:38 Last Updated on Friday, 02 March 2012 20:56 Written by Dave Pramann

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FYI: Arrowhead Mascot Baby Lilly Adopted by way loving family last week!

Proving an extraordinary strong field Ultra-Winter Racers, 2012 Arrowhead 135 supplied Lots o' Records despite rather soft course conditions mild "snizzely"(snow and drizzle) weather.  WeeHaw!

Numerous "fastest" were broken including: Fastest Skier Ever the Minnesota/Wisconsin NorthLands CASEY KRUEGER breaking old ski record by astounding 14 hrs. 

Fastest Woman Biker Ever Colorado's ESZTER HORANYI  by a couple hours at 18+hrs!

Fastest Man Runner Duluth's Sir JASON BUFFINGTON by 45 minutes in 37hrs and change.  

Most Skiers ever to finish...Seven, almost equaling total amount in 8 previous races put together.

Oldest Finisher ever...Erwin Berglund finishing strong on da bike at 69yrs old!  Holy Moley!

Closest Exciting Bike Finish Ever Alaskans BREITENBACH and BERNTSON: about a tire width.  Previous BasingerOatleyPramann 2010 finish was a tire width and a half.  

Most Finishers Ever at 81.  Highest Percentage Ever at ~75%. Mild conditions provided tough going in spots but allowed folks to "Tough It Out", and finish. 

Fine Volunteers Everywhere, Great sponsors and local Hosts at Nations IceBox I-Falls/Gateway Store/MelGeorge Resort/Ski-Pulk and Fortune Bay provided a Home Run for racers.

Arrowhead 135 Inc. donated ~150lbs Food to  nice I-Falls Foodshelf and while we figure out da bills, should be $+5000 to Spec Ops Warrior Foundation Charity and Local Snowmobile Clubs for THANKS using the nice Arrowhead Trail!  Cool.

2012 Race Recap

Thursday, 02 February 2012 11:50 Last Updated on Thursday, 02 February 2012 13:06 Written by Administrator

Thanks to everyone who came out to run, bike, ski, cheer, volunteer, provide beer, etc., at the 2012 Arrowhead 135.

I'll let Dave n Mary add their thoughts once they a chance to return home and find a computer to use but I wanted to say that this was quite an experience.  I didn't know I could be (mostly) functional and (not too) cranky on only a couple of hours of sleep for 3 days.  I've participated in a number of ultra-type events but never as a volunteer.  I think volunteering is a bit more exciting...

I started a galleries article with links to some initial photo galleries.  Go to the Galleries menu to see the 2012 Galleries.  I'll add more as I hear of them.

-- Russ (the web, Facebook, results guy)

2012 Race Updates

Monday, 30 January 2012 08:46 Last Updated on Wednesday, 01 February 2012 20:06 Written by Administrator

LAST UPDATE 20:00.  All competitors have finished!  All within time limit!  Corrado Buzzolan earns the Shackleton Expedition Award for the most time on the course.

I need a nap.

Update 2/1 15:00.  Ten runners left on course...

Update 2/1 11:05.  Everyone (who could) has made it through the final checkpoint.  A few more runners dropped and a few more finished.  The final checkpoint is also now closed.  The campfire at the finish is delightful...

Update 2/1 08:49.  Busy morning at final checkpoint - Ski Pulk.  Another dozen runners traveled through.  A couple of more finishers, as well.  It should get busy here at the finish sooooon.

Update 2/1 05:36.  Busy night at the final checkpoint - Ski Pulk.  Or as a few grizzled race veterans say - the Tepee of Despair... A dozen runners n skiers traveled through that checkpoint overnight.  The finish line should get busy soooon.

Update 2/1 05:07.  A quiet night at the finish line (and 3 hours of sleep).  Just a few finishers, but now the runners have arrived.  4 have finished.  Should be a busy morning.

Update 1/31 20:36.  1st runner to finish!  New course record?!?  Yes, confirmed!

Update 1/31 16:12.  Updates from Mary at MelGeorge complete.  Go to Results page.  Runners on their way!

Update 1/31 14:43.  Lots of finishers recorded.  First runner through last checkpoint!  Also MelGeorge checkpoint has closed.  I'll get updates from Mary soooon.

Update 1/31 11:23.  Up from a short nap...  Lots of activity.  Competitors are up and moving!  Lots of new updates posted on the Results page.  There's even some sun in the sky...

Update 1/31 05:54.  Casey Krueger 1st skier.  22:05.  15th overall. Broke previous men's skier record by 14+ hours.   Double wow!

Update 1/31 03:52.  Back awake...  Eszter Horanyi 1st woman in at 12:18 this morning.  9th overall.  Broke previous women's record by almost 2 hrs.  Wow!

Update 1/30 23:11.  Kevin Breitenbach inches out Tim Berntson by a wheel width!  Pictures forthcoming.

Update 1/30 21:23.  7 riders have passed through Ski Pulk tent checkpoint.  1 skier passed through MelGeorge.  Results page has all the details. Time for me to get outside and watch for the leaders finishing at Fortune Bay!

Update 1/30 19:53.  3 leaders have entered and exited the last checkpoint (Ski Pulk tent).  Check the Results page.

Update 1/30 17:25.  About a dozen cyclists have entered and exited MelGeorge's Resort checkpoint.  I heard runners are starting to arrive at Gateway Store checkpoint.  The MelGeorge times for have been updated on the Results page.  Still waiting to hear updates from 3 pm from Gateway....

Update 1/30. 14:42.  I'm about to take off for the finish - Fortune Bay.  I'll be offline for an hour or so.

Update 1/30 14:11.  Only a dozen riders left to arrive at Gateway.  Only 6 skiers left to arrive.  No runners, yet....

Update 1/30 13:20 PM.  More skiers arrived at Gateway.  A few have departed.  Still waiting on first runners.

Update 1/30 12:15 PM.  First skier made it to the Gateway Store checkpoint at 11:31.  Wow!  Check the Results page.

Update: 1/30 10:55 AM.  Bike leaders through Gateway checkpoint around 10:25.  Results page updated.

And they're off!  A balmy 10 deg this morning at International Falls. 

Check back here throughout the day for updates.  The Results page will also include racers' times as they enter and leave checkpoints.

Here are the bikers starting at 7 AM.


 

ARROWHEAD COMIN UP NEXT

Monday, 16 January 2012 15:20 Last Updated on Thursday, 19 January 2012 19:31 Written by Dave Pramann

altphoto by Brian Peterson

"If I am asked: What is the use of traversing the Arrowhead?  I reply, No use at all; no more than kicking a football about or dancing or playing the piano or writing a poem, or painting a picture....But if there is no use, there is unquestionable good in ascending Mt. WakemUp and completing 135 hard miles.  The accomplishment of such a feat will elevate the human spirit.  It will give men and women a feeling that we really are getting the upper hand on Earth, that we are acquiring a small bit of  mastery of our surroundings....If Man stands at the Arrowhead finish he will have an increased pride and confidence in himself, in his struggle for ascendancy over matter.  This is the incalculable good which the finish of the Arrowhead 135 will confer"..Sir Francis Younghusband-RGS 1919

SNOWBIKES, RUNNERS AND SKIERS EVERYWHERE, NOW ALL WE NEED IS SNOW!

Wednesday, 14 December 2011 10:13 Last Updated on Sunday, 18 December 2011 13:31 Written by Dave Pramann

For those not intimately familiar with Arrowhead Trail, here are some videos and a "mapmyride" giving some idea:

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/55003390

mapmyride approximate route, not showing zigs and zags especially around Elephant Lake.  elevation gain not accurate, more like +7000' from racer GPS data.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeWLedxPuNc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw-1W6dj2Cw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XdnanD9eLw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iBIfU-Zpuk&feature=related

More Articles...

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Jackie's Corner

Thanks to all the racers, volunteers, sponsors and fans for a great 2022 race. Registration for 2023 will open 9-1-2022. Race dates will be Jan 30th to Feb 1st.
The registration link for Trackleaders can be found HERE. Spot trackers are optional. They are highly recommended for rookies, if you get lost easily, or if you want your friends/family to know how you are doing. Live tracking map can be found HERE.
Thank you all for registering for 2022 Arrowhead. All of the slots and waitlist were full within a couple hours after registration opened. We were not able to select all entries, If you were selected, you must confirm with ultrasignup that you are going to race (and get charged an entry fee). Check your e-mail or spam folder to see if you are missing a confirmation. I will be in the woods/mountains for a couple weeks so I may be slow to respond to messages. The roster will be published in late September or early October.
From our website race rules tab: We do not normally offer refunds of entry fees. If we have to cancel the race we will refund ~$150 of a racer’s entry fee. The balance will be used to cover fixed costs and donated to race charities.

 

The 18th annual AH135 will be Jan 31st to Feb 2nd, 27th, 2022. We will take applications starting 9-1-2021 9 am CST. Please make sure you have a qualifying race - see below. Our roster is limited to ~150 racers and fills quickly.

Gear check will be Jan 29th/30th. Please ensure you meet or exceed the qualifications listed below if you plan to race.

Completing one of the below accomplishments would typically qualify an entrant for this year's Arrowhead Winter Ultra;

however, entry is not guaranteed. The race directors reserve the right to change the rules in the interest of safety and sportsmanship or for any reason deemed appropriate by the race officials. The race directors reserve the right to select entrants based on other important considerations, as well as due to the requirements of insurers, sponsors, the Minnesota State DNR and other regulatory
agencies.
Basically, we look for both endurance and cold weather experience. Below are general guidelines - race veterans and volunteers get preference for entry.
Qualifying activities for runners:
Completing a prior Arrowhead 135, Tuscobia 160 or similar race.
Finishing 100 mile foot race or completed multi-sport event, including a 100 mile run. A race in winter conditions improves your odds of being selected and surviving.
Qualifying activities for bikers:
Complete a prior Arrowhead 135, Tuscobia 160, Susitna, or similar race.
Finishing 24 hour bike race, with minimum of 100 miles completed for off-road, or 200 miles on road. A race in winter conditions improves your odds of being selected and surviving.
Qualifying activities for skiers:
Complete a prior Arrowhead 135, Tuscobia 160, or similar race.
Finishing a 24 hour ski race with a minimum of 100 miles completed.

There are lots of articles, stories, and photo albums from racers, reporters, and volunteers. Go read them all.
Last Updated on Sunday, 13 February 2022 19:58
 

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