It hasn't been a perfect start weather-wise to the 2015-16 race season, but it sure was better than last year! We've had a great crew of dogs to work with and are really pleased with the training and mid-distance race miles we were able to get under our runners. The dogs were regularly praised for how they looked at the finish of the various races. Here's a look at the details...
| Alpine Creek Excursion (ACE) Sled Dog Race Dec. 6, 2015 Kristy came in 6th (5 hours 6 min) and Anna 10th (5 hours 18 min) in this relatively short, early season race. It was a great way to get everyone's season started, with snowy conditions and cold temps dipping to -25F. The scenery was beautiful, and fortunately the twins avoided seeing any of the aggressive moose that were reported by others along the trail. There were six yearlings on the trail, and they seemed to have a great time! | |
 Last race of the year sans-dogs! | The twins couldn't resist getting one more event sans-dogs in for the year, so they took on the Winter Solstice Half Marathon on December 19th. Of 82 total entrants, Kristy finished 51st and Anna 52nd after 2 hours and 53 minutes. They were 10th and 11th of 17th women age 30-39. Running this distance is no small accomplishment on its own, but imagine doing it in winter conditions and with no training specific to the event immediately before it...! Kristy did lament this marked her worst competitive time yet for a half marathon, but I think most readers will still be impressed. The twins and their dogs were entered in the Knik 200 to kick off 2016 sled dog events on Jan. 2nd, but sadly this race, launching practically from their backyard, was cancelled due to trail conditions. |
| Copper Basin 300 Jan. 9th, 2016 Anna tackled this event in 35 hours and 54 minutes, bringing a strong team of 10 dogs across the finish line to secure 14th place. 47 mushers initially registered for the event with 40 finishing. This race is notorious for being cold and even treacherous, but this year was unusually forgiving with warm temps and good trail conditions. |  Anna & team hit the trail of the CB300. |
 By Leon Mensch | Northern Lights 300 Jan. 22nd, 2016 Kristy and her team of 12 dogs claimed 16th place of 30 finishers in this 300 mile race. It took her 51 hours and 8 minutes. Although Kristy says she didn't notice it, other competitors had different tails to tell, as there was a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in the area during the race. Anna, at home at the kennel, definitely felt it! Kristy only saw aftermath, like that pictured. Overall, it was a good race and test run with Iditarod approaching. |
| Denali Doubles Feb. 4th, 2016 Kristy and friend Andy Pohl combined efforts for this 226 mile race taking 10th place with all 20 dogs still in harness. The rules of this race have morphed a bit over the years, currently requiring one musher that has recently successfully completed the Iditarod, and one that hasn't within the last decade. If it weren't for that change, this race would have been nearly custom made for the twins! As it was, Kristy and Andy had a great race with near perfect conditions. |  Kristy and Andy in the Denali Doubles. |
SELF! Magazine feature of the twins! Pick up the March issue, flip to the back. Other fun tidbits...
As you wait for the 44th Iditarod to get underway, here are some other fun things to check out!
Twin Mushers by Parajumpers and EXCEPT House Productions. Visit this site for some amazing photography and video footage of the twins and their dogs at the start of the 2015 Iditarod. Special thanks to Parajumpers and the great crew with EXCEPT house that travelled all the way from Italy!
Iditarod Insider. You don't have to be a paid subscriber to get a look at their exclusive videos. You just have to sign up and enjoy a few extra ad clips. Sign up or sign in, and enter Berington in their search box. You should get quick links to interviews with Anna back in June and November, and two of Kristy in December.
You never know when or where you'll spot Seeing Double...
Anna and Kristy made an appearance in the pages
of SELF! Magazine's March issue.
| With the mid-distance season pretty much over, our sights are set on the 44th Iditarod. We put a lot of hours in getting drop bags ready, and now we're focused on last minute training runs and final gear preparation. We hope everyone enjoys following this year's race! We sure love knowing you're out there cheering us on. Gotta run! Anna and Kristy |  Writing 'K Berington' on 54 drop bags and 19 return bags, front AND back. Can you say hand cramp? |
