Mishawum Kennel - 2008-2009 Season

Race Results 2008-2009

With 16 dogs in training, every dog had an opportunity to participate in a race, at least once. Jello and Allagash continue to amaze. Granite's determination as a leader wowed us. Jasper is showing great potential. Since Rocky did not hold a prominent place on the main team this season, it was thrilling to watch his boys step up to the plate.

This season was Dedicated to Mischa and Saint. Our Namesake and one of our first born.

JANUARY

WILL COWIE MEMORIAL FUN RUN

(click above to view full results as posted on SDC).

This event was promoted in memory of our friend Will Cowie.

As this was just a fun run and we were parked at the rear of the lot, we both took our time getting to the starting line and easily lost 3-4 minutes. We did not run on Sunday due to a conflict with a meeting of the Stratford Nighthawks RGO.

Kudos to our eldest dogs Allagash and Jello, who ran this event but should otherwise be in retirement! Rocky had a sore foot so he sat this one out.

Driver: Bob O'Hearn
Ran 11 miles in 46:38 minutes

Photo taken by Barry Millman

8 Dogs on the Team: Enzo(L), Cosmo(L), Kona, TK, Ruby, Curly, Rhone, Aero

Driver: Rhonda Hendry O'Hearn
Ran 11 miles in 45:19 minutes

7 Dogs on the Team: Allagash, Jello, Halley(L), Granite(L), Ginsing, Dharma, Jasper

Additional photos

BEARGREASE

(click above to access the offical race site. )

Competed in the mid-distance event. This year the course was officially noted as 111.8 miles

Driver: Rhonda Hendry O'Hearn
Finished 21st out of 31 teams who started.

courtesy of Brian @ (www.hbrstudios.com)

Check out some additonal amazing pics of the team

Finished with 8 happy and healthy dogs at 10:20:41 am Monday. Total time on trail: 12:06:41 Rest including differential: 8:14:00 Average Speed: 9.2 mph

Tightest Tug Award goes to Granite! He ran the entire race in lead. Most Improved Award goes to his sister Ruby. This was the longest event in Rhonda's mushing career thus far.

Throughout the entire event the dogs displayed this same level of enthusiasm. We received numerous complements from fellow competitors, spectators and one of our mentors who just so happened to be in town for the event this year. With the 250 a month away and big training sessions still in our sights, we conserved a bit. Big Thanks to our hosts, for Chris's assistance getting the sled across the parking lot, and to Julie for gracing us with that smile from start to finish!

Dogs on the Team: Dharma, Granite, Ruby, Enzo, Cosmo, TK, Ginsing, Rhone

Summary Results in PDF format

FEBRUARY

100 MILE WILDERNESS SLED DOG RACE

(click above to read our synopsis of the event).

Competed in the mid-distance event. This year the course was only 80+ miles round trip, with a 2 hour layover at the Brownville checkpoint.

Driver: Bob O'Hearn
Finished 11th out of 14 teams who started.

Dogs on the Team: Granite(L), Ruby, Enzo(L), Cosmo, TK, Halley, Rhone, Ginsing(L), Kona, Rocky, Jasper, Curly

Click here to view various photos of our team

SANDWICH NOTCH SLED DOG RACES

(click above to access the offical race site.)

Our training schedule required that we take in a run. So rather than simply train up to the DawgHouse on a weekend with tons of snowmobile traffic, we opted to support the resurrection of this race. Many thanks to the Kimball's for their hospitality! We also had the pleasure of seeing our old friend Kevin, who was up from CT for the weekend.

8 Dog 45 Mile Class

Driver: Bob O'Hearn
Finished 1st out of 10 teams who started.

Dogs on the Team: Dharma, Granite(L), Ruby, Enzo (L), TK, Ginsing(L), Rhone, Kona

6 Dog 20 Mile Class

Driver: Rhonda Hendry O'Hearn
Finished 4th out of 19 teams who started.

Dogs on the Team: Halley(L), Cosmo(L), Jello, Curly, Aero, Jasper

CAN-AM INTERNATIONAL SLED DOG RACES

(click above to access the offical race site. )

Willard Jalbert, Jr. Can-Am 60

Driver: Rhonda Hendry O'Hearn
12th out of 23 teams, with an average speed of 9.3 m/h.

This year, weather and conditions couldn't have been better. 18 degrees during the day, cloud cover and a hardpacked nicely set up trail. Having already successfully shown 8 of our dogs 112 miles of the Beargrease trail, we were in a good position.

After successfully passing a series of teams within the last 10 hilly miles of the course, at the One Mile to Go marker, Rhonda made a MAJOR mistake. She hesitated at a road crossing. Considering that we've been at this now for 10 years, there was no excuse. The outcome cost her at least one placement. The hook would not hold and the team turned toward the trail help. Next thing she knew, they were careening on paved road (downhill), sled sideways with Rhonda holding onto the handlebar (eyes clinched shut) the snow hook underneath the sled and her left leg caught in the brake bar.

Thankfully no one was physically hurt.

We finished in the money and for that, we are VERY proud of the team!