Team 37, the friendly Canadians, push through to Buckland
Team 37, Mark Fosty and Ben Hildebrand, considers its options: Race back to Buckland and stay in the race, or scratch in Kotzebue. They decided to keep racing. Source: Iron Dog Facebook Group
Alaska Iron Dog racers and fans have embraced a pair of Canadian Iron Dog racers who refuse to the let the World’s Longest, Toughest Snowmobile Race get the better of them. Mark Fosty and Ben Hildebrand, from Manitoba, Canada, experienced the disorienting bigness of the Alaska wilderness and got turned around on the trail, doubling back to Kotzebue from Buckland when they had intended to travel south toward Koyuk.
After arriving back in the big city, they realized their error and had a long think about what to do next. At this point, solidly in red-lantern status, they decided to eat a hot meal and see if it would raise their enthusiasm to continue ahead. Newly scratched Team 34, Kotzebue racers Christopher Collins and Jesse Crumbley, had just returned to Kotzebue themselves and met up with Team 37. They encouraged the men to go forward. In fact, according to Facebook reports on the Iron Dog Group Page, a mass of support swelled, persuading the Canadians to go for it.
At 11 p.m. Tuesday, the two arrived in Buckland and declared their six-hour flex layover. They will ride the 250-plus miles toward Nome on Wednesday morning and remain strong contenders for the Red Lantern Award. They must, however, reach Nome by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, per Iron Dog rules. Barring any problems, this should be easily doable.
“Can’t keep those determined fellas on Team 37 down,” said Iron Dog executive director John Woodbury. “They’re a pair of the most jovial, good-spirited folks we’ve ever had on the trail. And if their riding skills and sleds don’t get them across the finish line in Big Lake, their positive attitudes will. We are rooting for you, Canada!”
Jessica Walker posted this photo of Team 37, posing in Kotzebue. The Canadians decided to keep racing and, if they can endure another 1,200 miles, remain in contention for the Red Lantern Award.
This groundswell of support continues to grow for Team Canada. Long an Alaskan-dominated race, the two are the sole Iron Dog racers left from outside of the state. Fans on Facebook, and especially in Kotzebue, are cheering them on.
“These guys are tough making it back on the trail,” wrote Jessica Walker of Kotzebue. “It was good to hear them talk all positive to getting back on the trail!”