Jester, the lone female on Lance Mackey’s team barks and smiles as she gets ready to run the race. Wesley Schaefer/Sun Star

On March 2, 1973 a group of mushers set off for a trip from Anchorage to Nome and ran the very first Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Forty years later, 66 mushers took off down Fourth Street as they attempted the 41st running of the race. This years race follows the Southern route and stops in 25 places starting in Anchorage and ending in Nome. This one thousand mile race has been referred to as the Super Bowl of dog mushing and if you didn’t know better you’d swear some of these mushers are rockstars with the treatment Alaska gives them.

Along the way the mushers will have chances to resupply with the drop bags sent to the checkpoints ahead of time, but they are not allowed to have any outside assistance. This race will test the skill and endurance of these musher as well give the real athletes, the dogs, a chance to shine.

Each musher is allowed to start with no more than 16 dogs and each dog has trained all season for this. The love of running really shows in the excitement these dogs have as they are harnessed and hooked up to the gangline barking, jumping and howling as they want to get started.

The race has been set up into two starts, with a ceremonial start on Saturday morning in downtown Anchorage. The mushers go for 11 miles through the town starting on 4th street and ending at Campbell Airstrip. This section of the race is not counted towards the overall time and as a result the mushers take it slow stopping to chat with fans, take photos, and even grab snacks as they tailgate with the crowds that gathered to watch. After this the dogs are loaded up, given a good nights rest and on Sunday morning they are loaded up and taken to Willow Lake and the real deal starts.

The attitude is serious with a hint of stress, the atmosphere is buzzing with excitement and anticipation as the mushers finish their last minute packing. The dogs get a few last minute snacks and the mushers start to prepare the dogs first meals soaking for them to eat down the trail.

The mushers start at two minute intervals and as they hook the dogs to the lines its evident that it’ll take more than one or two people to hold the sled back. Some teams took eight or more people to hold back the sled while the mushers dragged the brakes through the snow to the chute.

When the musher stops at the banners they can see the flags flying from the countries that are represented this year. America, Canada, Russia, Jamaica, Brazil, Norway and New Zealand. They do one last walk up and down the team, they hug a loved one and shake hands or high five a sponsor or fan.

As the announcer reads the mushers bio the several thousand fans cheer and scream, the announcer counts down the last ten seconds, the musher hops on the runners and as they hit one and yell “go” the musher shoots down the line and sets off for the next 1,149 official miles of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race.

Jester, the lone female on Lance Mackey's team barks and smiles as she gets ready to run the race. Wesley Schaefer/Sun Star

Dog trucks are lined up and ganglines are laid out waiting for the dogs to be hooked up. Wesley Schaefer/Sun Star

Lance Mackey walks the line of dogs as he prepares to set off at the start of the Iditarod. Wesley Schaefer/Sun Star

Newton Marshall, the musher from Jamaica points at the crowd as he heads to the start. Wesley Schaefer/Sun Star

Lance Mackey hugs his lead dog, Amp right before the start of the race. Wesley Schaefer/Sun Star

Lance Mackey gets a hug from Senator Lisa Murkowski as he heads to the start. Wesley Schaefer/Sun Star

Lance Mackey goes through his mandatory gear checklist with race officials. Wesley Schaefer/Sun Star

Mushers Lance Mackey and Newton Marshall chat before the start. Wesley Schaefer/Sun Star

UAF graduate student Colin Rowell was sticking between the lines on this tricky section of the ice wall at the UAF Ice Jam held on Friday, March 01, 2013. Adam Taylor/Sun Star

Decked out with ice axes, crampons and helmets, climbers tackled the UAF outdoor ice wall on Friday, March 1. UAF Ice Jam, the ice climbing competition, was a part this year’s Winter Carnival.

Winter Carnival started in Fairbanks in 1927 when students constructed a toboggan slide to embrace Fairbanks’ winters.

The ice climbing competition began at 6 p.m. with Outdoor Facilities Manager Sam Braband giving directions to climbers for the competition. Climbers had to complete three timed routes in the competition. The climber with the fastest combined time won. Climbers were allowed to complete multiple runs on the wall but there was a two hour time limit.

Shortly after 6 p.m., the climbers were staged in the painted boxes awaiting the go-ahead from the time keeper. Each climber attacked the wall with ferocity and 33-year-old Pete Dronkers, a graduate from the University of Nevada Reno, won the competition with a time of 46 seconds. Pat Terhune took second place and Ryan Cudo won third with times of 58 seconds and 63 seconds respectively.

Dronkers said he was prepared for the competition because he has been climbing for 15 years.

This was the first ice climbing competition at UAF and was considered a success and small victory for UAF outdoor enthusiasts. Braband hopes this event will continue to be a part of Winter Carnival in the future.

UAF Outdoor Facilities Manager, Sam Braband, prepares the climbers for the competition by explaining they will have two hours to climb the ice wall in an attempt to complete three routes in the shortest amount of time at the UAF Ice Jam held on Friday, March 01, 2013. Adam Taylor/Sun Star

Pete Dronkers, winner of the UAF Ice Jam held on Friday, March 01, 2013, finished the event with a combined time of 46 seconds. Adam Taylor/Sun Star

UAF graduate student Colin Rowell was sticking between the lines on this tricky section of the ice wall at the UAF Ice Jam held on Friday, March 01, 2013. Adam Taylor/Sun Star

UAF sophomore Adam Mccomb shows the wall no mercy as he slams his ice axe into it at the UAF Ice Jam on Friday, March 01, 2013. Adam Taylor/Sun Star

Players hustle to the center line in order to snatch up their weapons at the UAF ice dodgeball tournament on February 28, 2013. Lauren Fisher/Sun Star

During Winter Carnival at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, all logical thinking seems to disappear, for what better way to make dodge ball a safer game than to add ice to it? This is exactly what a team of  Skarland and Moore Hall Resident Assistants did for a large collection students who showed up to the Patty Center Ice Arena on Thursday, Feb. 28.

Ice dodgeball was one of the scheduled events for the UAF traditions weekend, Winter Carnival. Other events included a pep rally on Thursday with the special appearance from the tradition stone, the first part of the Alaska Airlines Governor’s Cup hockey game in the Carlson Center, an ice climbing competition, a snowboard and ski competition in the new Nanook Terrain Park and the Women’s Nanook Basketball.

The dodge ball games took place from 10 p.m. to midnight. Each game lasted five minutes each. Due to the short length of the games, each team, made up of at least five members, was able to compete multiple times.

To be eligible to compete, teams were in charge of finding members, signing up and coming up with a creative team name. This event was a new addition to Winter Carnival and was very popular, judging by the large turn out.

“It was a bit of a challenge because I am so uncoordinated,” freshman Naomi Cohen said with a grin. “But it was still really fun and a super cool idea for a sport.”

Music blasted from the speakers and the ice arena was filled with laughter, upbeat songs and teammates cheering for one another from the team boxes. The rules of these games were very similar if not the same as normal dodge ball.  If a player is hit with the ball drops his own ball, or his ball is caught by an opponent, he is out until another team member replaces him in the penalty box. RAs sitting in the penalty boxes kept the score and  the team with the last player left standing on the ice wins.

While this series of games were considered a competition, the players spent more  time sliding around on the ice than playing actual dodge ball, proving once again that college students still have  a little child in them after all.

Players hustle to the center line in order to snatch up their weapons at the UAF ice dodgeball tournament on February 28, 2013. Lauren Fisher/Sun Star

Many graceful dodges were made in order to avoid the forceful tosses of Thursday night's ice dodgeball tournament on February 28, 2013. Lauren Fisher/Sun Star

Members of a competitive ice dodge ball team take a moment after their victory to show off their throwing arms at Thursday night's ice dodgeball tournament on February 28, 2013. Lauren Fisher/Sun Star

Occasionally, players would carefully kneel to collect ammunition during the ice dodgeball tournament on February 28, 2013. Lauren Fisher/Sun Star

An ice dodgeball tournament player winds up to toss on February 28, 2013. Lauren Fisher/Sun Star

Bobbilou Burbank and Sean Nesheim took the spotlight in teriffic tutus at the ice dodgeball tournament on Thursday night. Lauren Fisher/Sun Star

In celebration of their first win in the two-game Alaska Airlines Governor’s Cup tournament, the Alaska Nanook Men’s Hockey team gathers in the middle of the rink to acknowledge the wild cheers from the stands and continue the tradition of tapping their sticks once on the ice at the end of each game. March 1, 2013. Erin McGroarty/Sun Star

The Carlson Center was filled with Alaska Nanook Hockey fans Friday, Mar. 1. Seats were overflowing in the student section and cheers erupted from the stands at random throughout the game. This was the first game of the two-game Alaska Airlines Governor’s Cup series played between the Nanooks and the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves.

The first period of Friday night’s game held no goals for either team, with both goalies keeping a steady guard against a multitude of shots taken. The first goal of the game was scored by the Nanooks 17 minutes and 31 seconds into the second period by sophomore left wing and Communication student, Garrick Perry. This goal was assisted by freshman forward Tyler Morley and was Perry’s second goal in his Nanook career. The Nanooks maintained a 1-0 lead for the remainder of the second period and most of the third period until UAA’s Alex Gellert scored a goal.

The teams remained tied until the end of the third period, sending the game into overtime. The teams were evenly matched until the clock reached 2 minutes and 50 seconds. Junior forward Cody Kunyk scored the momentous game winning goal, securing the Nanooks first victory in the Gov. Cup.

The Nanooks traveled to Anchorage on Saturday, Mar. 2 to play against the Seawolves in the Sullivan Arena at 7 p.m. Unlike Friday night’s game, the Nanooks did not let the first period go scoreless. Junior left wing, Colton Beck, scored the first goal only 9 seconds into the first period. The Nanooks did not score for the rest of the first period until just before the clock ran out when senior right wing, Andy Taranto, scored the Nanooks second goal at 19 minutes and 57 seconds.

Only 5 minutes and 49 seconds into the second period, Taranto scored the third and final Nanook goal of the night.

UAA managed to score their first goal of the night a mere 31 seconds later, but did not score again . The third period went scoreless and the game ending horn announced the fourth consecutive Nanooks Gov. Cup victory.

Business Administration student Nolan Huysmans goes after the puck in Saturday's Governor's Cup game in Anchorage. March 2, 2013. Shaun Nesheim/Sun Star

The Alaska Nanooks Hockey Team celebrates a four-peat Governor's Cup victory in Anchorage. March 2, 2013. Shaun Nesheim/Sun Star

The Alaska Nanooks Hockey Team celebrates a four-peat Governor's Cup victory in Anchorage. March 2, 2013. Shaun Nesheim/Sun Star

In celebration of their first win in the two-game Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup tournament, the Alaska Nanook Men's Hockey team gathers in the middle of the rink to acknowledge the wild cheers from the stands and continue the tradition of tapping their sticks once on the ice at the end of each game. March 1, 2013. Erin McGroarty/Sun Star

Freshman wing, Matthew Friese (#20), battles a UAA Seawolf for the puck as teammates, senior defenseman, Kaare Odegard (#13) and freshman defenseman, J.D. Peterson (#10), wait to assist. Mar 1, 2013. Erin McGroarty/Sun Star

The Alaska Nanook Men's hockey team races into a group huddle as the horn blows announcing the end of the game and their first win in the two-game Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup tournament between UAF and UAA. March 1, 2013. Erin McGroarty/Sun Star

Freshman wing, Matthew Friese (#20), braces himself for the face-off against a UAA Seawolf as his teammates wait for the game to begin again. March 1, 2013. Erin McGroarty/Sun Star

Freshman wing, Matthew Friese (#20), braces himself for the face-off against a UAA Seawolf as his teammates wait for the game to begin again. March 1, 2013. Erin McGroarty/Sun Star

Senior goalie, Steve Thompson, watches as his teammate works to keep the puck away from the approaching UAA Seawolf during the first game of the 2013 Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup. March 1, 2013. Erin McGroarty/Sun Star

It was 4:15 Friday night when the Department of Recreation, Adventure and Wellness Director for Facilities Erik Ofelt received the long-awaited news that they could finally open Nanook Terrain Park to the public.

On Saturday, Feb. 23 the skiing and snowboarding facility officially opened with three jumps and over 30 park users registered by Sunday morning.

The first park user of the day, UAF Art student Dorian Granger complimented the careful structure of the jump takeoff and landing areas. “I’ll come here every weekend if I don’t have to pay,” Granger said. Entrance to Nanook Terrain park is free for UAF students who have paid their SRC fee.

Though the park opened at 10 a.m. Saturday morning, peak traffic came around 1 p.m. when nearly twenty skiers and snowboarders arrived at the yurt to check out the new park.

“We opened up and the morning was a little slow, a little windy. But right around afternoon people started showing up and now they’re starting to spin off the jumps and try em’ out,” said Social Work student and Park Crew member Rick Bartlett.

While some park users were busy trying out the three jumps, others were eager to know when the rails and boxes would be installed. Terrain Park staff is still waiting on the arrival of twelve additional terrain park features including boxes, rails, picnic tables and a wall ride which are being shipped to Fairbanks from their manufacturer Arena Snowparks.

Terrain Park staff expects the features to arrive on Tuesday and will install them as soon as possible, according to DRAW Outdoor Facilities Manager Sam Braband. Just like the  jumps, each park feature must be approved by the USTPC before they can be open for public use.

Park users and Park Crew members alike are looking forward to next week’s Nanook Traditions Winterfest celebrations that will feature the Top of the World Park Jam, a competition for skiers and snowboarders at Nanook Terrain Park.

“The park jam is going to be next weekend and it’s going to be our first competition so we hope to see a lot of people out there,” Ofelt said. The competition will have a jam-style organization with groups of riders hitting the jumps over a period of time. Judging will be based on overall impression of the athletes, with prizes from skiing and snowboarding companies Rossignol, Anarchy Eyewear and Sessions. Registration is on Saturday Mar. 2 at 10 a.m.

Department of Recreation, Adventure, and Wellness Outdoor Facilities Manager Sam Braband wipes out after trying a jump on his telemark skis on Saturday, February 23, 2013. Annie Bartholomew/Sun Star

Micah Hovda goes off a jump at Nanook Terrain Park on opening day, Satuday, February 23, 2013. Annie Bartholomew/Sun Star

Terrain Park Crew member Cal Whitehill spins off a jump while waiting for park users to arrive on opening day at Nanook Terrain Park on Saturday, February 23, 2013. Annie Bartholomew/Sun Star

Assistant Director for Facililties for the Deparment of Recreation, Adventure, and Wellness, Erik Ofelt goes over opening procedures with Terrain Park Crew members Cal Whitehill and Rick Bartlett on opening day, Saturday, February 23, 2013. Annie Bartholomew/Sun Star

Terrain Park Crew member Cal Whitehill spins off a jump while waiting for park users to arrive on opening day at Nanook Terrain Park on Saturday, February 23, 2013. Annie Bartholomew/Sun Star

Members of both the Alaska Nanook Women’s basketball team and the Saint Martin’s Saints women’s basketball team fight for posession of the ball during the game in the Patty Center on Saturday, February 23, 2013. Erin McGroarty/Sun Star

Men and Women’s Rifle

The second day of NCAA Qualifiers went well for the Alaska Nanook Rifle team. The team ended with shooting  score of 2359 and concluding the air-rifle section of the competition on Sunday, Feb. 17. This pushed their total weekend score up to an Alaska season high score of 4672. This score was also the second highest national team score of the year, beating Nevada by 59 points and Texas El Paso by 140 points that weekend. Sophomore Business Management student Mats Eriksson shot a season high and personal best individual score of 593. This was also the highest score shot that day at the UTEP Rifle Range in El Paso, Texas.

“We have two weeks to get a lot of work done but I have some ideas of things to work on to try and help get people out of their comfort zones and the confidence to shoot up to their potential,” said head coach Dan Jordan.

Men’s Skiing

Sunday, Feb. 17 wrapped up the Central Collegiate Ski Association Championships for the Alaska Nanook Men’s Ski team. The team completed the two day competition in third place over all, out of seven participating teams. On Saturday, Feb. 23, the Alaska Men’s Ski team competed in the first day of competition in the NCAA Champsionships. These races took place at the Michigan Tech Nordic Ski trails. Due to outstanding performances by freshman Michael Fehrenbach, sophomore Logan Hanneman and graduate student Lex Treinen, the Nanooks placed first for team standings. Fehrenbach took first place in the Men’s 10 kilometer classic race with a time of 30:37.8, Hanneman followed directly after with a time of 31:16.4 and Treinen came in sixth with a time of 31:51.7. Also competing were sophomore Jonas Loffler, senior Tyler Kornfield and junior Max Olex.

Women’s Skiing

The Alaska Nanook Women’s Ski team competed a successful weekend at the CCSA Championships, finishing in second place overall. The team maintained their strong hold on the competition, finishing the 15 kilometer mass start skate race on Sunday, Feb. 17, with team members in four of the top six winning spots. Sophomore Alyson McPhetres took first place in the 15 kilometer race that day with a time of 48:19.7, joining teammates Raphaela Sieber, who took first place in the 5 kilometer classic race on Saturday, Feb. 16 and  Marit Rjabov, who dominated the 1.5-kilometer freestyle race in the competition three weeks ago in 2013 Individual Titles. Senior  Crystal Pitney took third place in the 15 kilometer race on Sunday with a time of 49:37.8, followed closely by senior Civil Engineering student Heather Edic in fifth place with a time of 50:00.7 and senior biology student Rebecca Konieczny in sixth place with a time of 50:01.0.

The team also competed on Saturday, Feb. 23 in the first day of the NCAA Championships. This was a successful first day of competition with two team members, sophomore Alyson McPhetres and and senior Theresia Schnurr, taking first and second place in the Women’s 5 kilometer classic race.

Women’s Basketball

The Alaska Nanook Women’s Basketball team completed a successful weekend winning both home games against Western Oregon University and Saint Martin University on Thursday, Feb. 21 and Saturday, Feb. 23. The winning score for Thursday’s game was a close 55-40, with the Nanooks putting up a strong defensive front. Junior forward, Samantha Thornton led the Nanooks with 17 points and 10 rebounds. The Nanooks won their third consecutive game in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference against Saint Martin’s University on Saturday afternoon. They won with a score of 67-65 after overtime. The  Nanooks will play a rival home game against Alaska Anchorage on Saturday, March 2 at 7 p.m.

Men’s Basketball

Nanook fans were thrilled with a Nanook victory over second ranked Western Washington University on Thursday, Feb. 21 in Bellingham, Wash. Nanook’s win against WWU broke WWU’s 30 game winning streak. The final score was 77-73. This was the first time the Alaska Nanooks made it to the GNAC Championships in tournament history. Junior business administration student Benissa Bulaya, scored a season high of 26 points. While Saturday, Feb. 23 was not as momentous as Thursday’s game, the Alaska Nanooks managed to outscore Simon Fraser University by only 2 points in the final minutes of the game, finishing the evening with a score of 63-61. This game was also a celebration of senior day, with the Nanooks bidding farewell to senior guard Dominique Brinson and senior forward Zach Ngawaka since both will graduate in May.

Men’s Ice Hockey

The Alaska Nanook Men’s Hockey began the weekend with a shaky start, losing 1-0 to Michigan state on Friday night, Feb. 22, they came back with a strong 4-2 win against the same team the following night. The Nanooks could not seem to stay on their feet Friday night, letting in the first and only goal from Michigan state early in the first period and spending more time horizontal on the ice than scoring for the remaining two periods. Saturday’s game was a tied score of 2-2 until the final minutes of the game. Senior Arts and Sciences student Andy Taranto scored the Nanook’s tied breaking goal with just over a minute left in the game and former Michigan State Spartan Adam Henderson scored the final and fourth goal with only eight seconds left in the game.

Members of both the Alaska Nanook Women's basketball team and the Saint Martin's Saints women's basketball team fight for posession of the ball during the game in the Patty Center on Saturday, February 23, 2013. Erin McGroarty/Sun Star

Junior guard, Ronnie Baker, prepares for a freethrow during the second half of Saturday's game in the Patty Center against Simon Fraser on February 23, 2013. Fernanda Chamorro/Sun Star

The UAF cheerleaders hype up the crowd at the Patty Center during a Nanook Men's Basketball timeout on February 23, 2013. The Nanooks faced and beat Simon Fraser. Fernanda Chamorro/Sun Star

Junior guard, Ronnie Baker, prepares for a freethrow during the second half of Saturday's game in the Patty Center against Simon Fraser on February 23, 2013. Fernanda Chamorro/Sun Star

Senior guard Dominique Brinson shoots a successful freethrow at Saturday's game on February 23, 2013 against Simon Fraser in the Patty Center. Fernanda Chamorro/Sun Star

Senior guard Dominique Brinson runs towards the hoop hoping to score against Simon Fraser at Saturday's game in the Patty Center on February 23, 2013. Fernanda Chamorro/Sun Star

Junior guard, Ronnie Baker, prepares for a freethrow during the second half of Saturday's game in the Patty Center against Simon Fraser on February 23, 2013. Fernanda Chamorro/Sun Star

After 10 days on the trail of the 2013 Yukon Quest, it was time for a much needed break for Casavant’s dogs on February 12, 2013. Adam Taylor/Sun Star

The 2013 Yukon Quest International Dog Sled Race has official wrapped up and while it wasn’t the 26-second finish of last year it still was an exciting race that had fans all over the world watching. This year Allen Moore of Two Rivers took the first place finish with a time of 8d 19h 39m and 11 dogs. Allen said at the finish that his final run in was perfect and the dogs were happy and knew they were home. This was the first win for Allen Moore, but his kennel, SP Kennels is no stranger to the win. Aliy Zirkle, who also runs for SP Kennels won the Yukon Quest in 2000. Zirkle was the first and only woman to win.

Coming in one hour and 16 minutes later was last year’s champion, Hugh Neff with 9 dogs on the line. Hugh said he was surprised he finished that high in the standings with the young team he had. Neff was the first musher into Dawson Yukon, the halfway point of the race, and as a result also won 4 ounces of Yukon gold. Including this race, Neff has ran the Yukon Quest 13 times.

The weather on the trail was fairly timid as far as the Yukon Quest goes. Many mushers were talking about how warm it was with above zero temperatures through much of the race. This warm weather made for a comfortable run for the mushers, but the dogs prefer it a bit colder.

This race also had an interesting change in the course. After the race had started trail breakers and race officials decided to reroute the course around the 3,420-foot American Summit and decided to follow a route that was flatter and about 50 miles shorter. This decision was made because the summit was impassable and a trail could not be put in. The shorter route caused a shift in the running schedule of the mushers and as an effect the race officials added 4 hours to the mandatory 36 hours in Dawson City. This 40-hour rest was appreciated as it gives the musher a chance to rest the dogs and the handlers can take care of them and repair any broken equipment. Along the rest of the race the mushers are not allowed any outside assistance.

The 2013 race started with 26 mushers with 20 finishing. 5 mushers scratched and one withdrew. The last musher to finish is considered the Red Lantern winner and this year it went to Dyan Bergen of Yellowknife Canada. Dyan finished with a time of 13d 6h 3m and had 8 dogs on the line. Dyan ran most of her race by herself, she said she was okay with this because she mostly trains by herself.

While the 2013 Yukon Quest is over, distance mushing this season is not. The 2013 Iditarod Trail race starts out of Anchorage with a ceremonial start on March 2nd at 10am and with an official restart the following day, March 3rd in Willow at 2p.m.

Here is a complete list of finishing mushers and the places they finished in with their bib numbers.

1. Allen Moore (11)
2. Hugh Neff (4)
3. Brent Sass (18)
4. Jake Berkowitz (20)
5. Scott Smith (23)
6. Markus Ingebretsen (2)
7. Normand Casavant (7)
8. Abbie West (17)
9. Dan Kaduce (15)
10. Susan Rogan (10)
11. Ed Hopkins (25)
12. David Dalton (21)
13. Crispin Studer (26)
14. Denis Tremblay (13)
15. Cody Strathe (5)
16. Darrin Lee (24)
17. Brian Wilmshurst (1)
18. Rob Cooke (3)
19. Matthew Failor (14)
20. Dyan Bergen (19)

After 10 days on the trail of the 2013 Yukon Quest, it was time for a much needed break for Casavant's dogs on February 12, 2013. Adam Taylor/Sun Star

Casavant's wife, Karine, met her husband at the finish line of the 2013 Yukon Quest to show her support and to help get the team out of the area on February 12, 2013. Adam Taylor/Sun Star

Calvin, dog of Yukon Quest 300 musher Jjay Levy, watches the people go by as he rests after his race. Wesley Schaefer/Sun Star

Drum, dog of Lance Mackey, waits for a snack during a break in the 2013 Yukon Quest. Wesley Schaefer/Sun Star

Crowds start to gather early morning waiting for the first musher of the 2013 Yukon Quest to come in. Wesley Schaefer/Sun Star

2013 Yukon Quest winner Allen Moore poses with his leaders under the finish banner. Wesley Schaefer/Sun Star

Hugh Neff shows love to his dog after finishing second to Allen Moore in the 2013 Yukon Quest. Wesley Schaefer/Sun Star

Ryan Anderson paces shooters in Smallbore on day one of NCAA Qualifying. Photo by Mats Eriksson, courtesy of Alaska Nanooks.

Women’s Swimming

The 2013 Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Conference took place this week in La Mirada, California. Starting on Wednesday, Feb 13, the Alaska Nanook Women’s Swim team took hold of the competition with a two relay finishes in the top five, placing them with high marks right off the bat. To continue a successful first day, the Nanooks finished in second place for the 800 freestyle relay. This team was made up of sophomore Biology student Danielle Lyons, sophomore Political Science student Margot Adams, sophomore Foreign Languages student Gabi Summers, and junior Communication student Bente Heller. The competition continued on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The four member relay team made up of freshman Eileen Audette, sophomore Kelly Meierotto, sophomore Genevieve Johnson and Summers, took 10th place in Thursday’s 200 freestyle relay. On Friday, Adams took first place in the 100 butterfly for the second year in a row, with a time of 55:45 and Heller took fourth place in the 200 freestyle with a season best time of 1:51:54. The Nanooks finished the competition on Saturday with a team placing of 8th place with 590.5 points over the four days of competition.

Men and Women’s Rifle

The Alaska Nanook Rifle team competed on Thursday, Feb. 14 against the University of Nevada, finishing out their regular season with a win of 4652-4622, leaving them ranked 5th in the nation. This day of competition consisted of a section of small bore, in which the Nanooks scored 2310 to Nevada’s 2290, and air rifle, shooting 2342 to Nevada’s 2332.  Competition continued on Saturday and Sunday, when the Nanooks began competing in the NCAA Qualifiers. The small bore section took place on Saturday afternoon against Nevada and Texas El Paso. Sophomore Ryan Anderson shot a match high score of 584. The overall team score that pushed the Nanooks into first place for the first day of the qualifiers was 2313.

Women’s Basketball

A close game took place in Nampa, Idaho between the Alaska Nanook Women’s Basketball team and Northwest Nazarene on Thursday, Feb. 14. While the Nanooks led for most of the game, NNU snuck the win out from under the Nanooks with a 21-9 rally in the last six minutes of the game, bringing the final score to 88-81, the Nanooks losing by only seven points. The Nanooks took this defeat in stride and continued the Great Northwest Athletic Conference with their first conference win against against Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA on Saturday, Feb. 16. The final winning score was 73-70.

“We’ve been playing well, so tonight, we were prepared and focused,” Head Coach Cody Burgess-Bench said. “We did the little things. We hit shots and broke down Central’s defense. We worked the clock the right way and it helped.”

The Alaska Women’s Basketball team will be competing next on Thursday, Feb. 21 against Western Oregon and against Saint Martin’s University on Saturday, Feb. 23.

Men’s Basketball

A classic rivalry game was played between the Alaska Nanook Men’s Basketball team and Alaska Anchorage Sea Wolves in Anchorage on Saturday, Feb. 16 in the Wells Fargo Sports Complex. While the Nanooks played a hard game and made a final ditch effort in the second half,  they were not able to hold off the Sea Wolves, losing the game 71-69. The put the Anchorage Sea Wolves at a 15 game winning streak so far this season and secured them a spot in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships.

“It’s just disappointing that we didn’t finish it,” Head Coach Mike Durham said after the game, “But they hit a couple big shots to make the difference. We’ll learn from it and I’m really proud of how we came back.”

Men’s Ice Hockey

The Alaska Nanook Men’s Hockey team played two games in Sault Saint Marie, Michigan last week on Friday, Feb 15 and Saturday, Feb. 16. The Nanooks took a hard beating from Lake Superior State on Friday, losing 5-1. This is their second victory against the Alaska Nanooks this season. Their first goal was scored 9 seconds into the game and continued the trend, only allowing the Nooks to score a single goal scored by freshman forward and general studies student, Tyler Morley. Saturday’s game against followed suit with the Nanooks falling 4-2, again to Lake Superior State. The Nanooks goals were scored by junior forward and Business Administration student, Cody Kunyk, and freshman Business Administration student, Nolan Huysmans.

Men’s Skiing

The Alaska Nanook Men’s Ski Team took part in the Central Collegiate Ski Association Championship in Coleraine, Minnesota on Saturday, Feb. 16.  Working hard to improve their team standing, the Nanook Men’s team finished the competition in third place overall, with a score of 70 points. Northern studies student, Lex Treinen, finished in third place over all in the 20 kilometer mass start freestyle race with a time of 55 minutes and 30.5 seconds. Closely following him was freshman Mechanical Engineering student Michael Fehrenbach who took fourth place overall with a time of 55 minutes and 47 seconds.

“I think this sets us up well for next weekend,” Head Coach Scott Jerome said after the races. “We did well, certainly will get a couple days rest and then we’ll have some interval training Wednesday and cruise easy into the championship.

Women’s Skiing

The Alaska Nanook Women’s Ski team kept their high ranking of second place the CCSA Championship in Coleraine, Minnesota on Saturday, Feb. 16. Junior business administration student, Rafaela Sieber took first place in the Women’s 5 kilometer classic race with a time of 15 minutes and 5.1 seconds.

“Raphaela skied not only a strong race but a smart race,” Jerome said. “Though she was leading at the top of the one long climb in the middle of the race, she saved enough energy to push through the double pole section on the second half of the course.”

The Nanooks finished this competition with 68 points overall as a team, placing second under Northern Michigan University.

Women's basketball wins first GNAC game, 73-70, at Central Washington. Photo by Paul McCarthy, courtesy of Alaska Nanooks.

Ryan Anderson paces shooters in Smallbore on day one of NCAA Qualifying. Photo by Mats Eriksson, courtesy of Alaska Nanooks.

Jonas Loffler leads men's skiers to second place finish in 10K classic at CCSA championship. Photo by Bert Boyer, courtesy of Alaska Nanooks.

Three all-conference swims highlight final day of PCSC meet, Nanooks finish eighth. Photo by Scott Lemly, courtesy of Alaska Nanooks.

McPhetres wins 15K mass start skate, women's skiers claim second place at CCSA championship. Photo by Bert Boyer, courtesy of Alaska Nanooks.

Skijorers made their way around the West Ridge Ski Trails at the Skijor race on the morning of February 16, 2013. Adam Taylor/Sun Star

Dog barks, growls and excited whimpers echoed through the University of Alaska Fairbanks West Ridge Ski trails Feb. 16. The reason behind this rare chorus? Saturday was the 4th annual West Ridge skijoring race, a tradition that organizer and member of the Alaska Skijor and Pulk Association, Brian Charlton feels is vital to the Fairbanks and the Alaskan community.

While the competition has been planned for four years, it has only taken place for three of those years. Last year’s race was canceled at the last minute due to very low temperatures.

Over 20 people, some students and Fairbanks community members, participated in this year’s race. Teams consisted of one to three members.

“I haven’t skijored in a really long time so this should be awesome,” UAF Nanook Men’s Ski team member Wyatt Mayo said.

Mayo raced with his friend, Nina Ruckhaus’ husky mix, Sasha, a dog known for her speed and attention to commands.

The competition consisted of a number of different length loops measured at various lengths, some going as far as the T fields and Smith lake.

“Make sure she doesn’t start off too fast,” Ruckhaus advised Mayo before the race began. “If you let her go, she’ll tire herself before before you even reach the T fields.”

Needless to say, when Charlton counted down from 5 Sasha took out of the gate at full speed.

The competition’s youngest member was 10-years-old. Gentry Johnson, a skirjorer for only two years so far raced the shortest loop, 1 mile, with her yellow lab, Rangle. Charlton took careful time informing Johnson of the green signs marking the loop because Johnson was racing on her own.

“It was really fun,” Johson said with a grin after the race. “One time Rangle went right instead of left and I had to turn him around, but he was great for the rest of the time.”

Johnson’s father explained that skijoring was a sport very close to their family because Gentry’s mother Jamie Johnson was #3 on the U.S. National Skijor Team. A family from Salcha, Gentry and her three other sisters have been cross country skiing since they could walk, and skijoring naturally went along with that. Although she is only 10, Johnson says she wishes to continue in her mother’s footsteps.

The Skijor World Championships, featuring the U.S. National team, will be taking place in Salcha later this spring. Charlton said there will be a second open community skijor race that will take place on Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Birch Hill Cross Country ski area off the Steese Highway.

Skijorers made their way around the West Ridge Ski Trails at the Skijor race on the morning of February 16, 2013. Adam Taylor/Sun Star

Racers ran either a 1, 4.5, or 9 mile race with one to three dogs at the Skijor race held on February 16, 2013. Adam Taylor/Sun Star

The starting line stacks up with racers and dogs as they await their staggered start time at the Skijor race that took place February 16, 2013. Adam Taylor/Sun Star

Skijorers made their way around the West Ridge Ski Trails at the Skijor race on the morning of February 16, 2013. Adam Taylor/Sun Star

Men’s Skiing

Saturday, Feb. 2 went well for the Alaska Nanook Men’s Ski team and Sunday followed suit. Senior Art student Ian Wilkinson, junior Engineering student Lars Arneson and sophomore Chemistry student Andrew Arnold made up the Nanook’s team for the three leg, 10 kilometer relay race. The team took fourth place in this race with an overall time of 1:10:45.4. A mixed relay team that competed that day in the relay was made up of sophomore Biology student, Wyatt Mayo, freshman biology student Kenneth Brewer, and Northern Michigan University’s Ken Hugus. This team finished in ninth place with a time of 1:13:07.5. The points gained by these two teams pushed the Nanooks into fifth place for the weekends competition as a whole.

Women’s Skiing

The Alaska Nanook Women’s Ski team took second place in the three leg, triple lap, five kilometer relay on Sunday, Feb 3. This was the second and final day of competition at the Al Quall Cross Country Ski Trails in Michigan for the Central Collegiate Ski Association Championships. This team, made up of senior Psychology student Marit Rjabov, sophomore Music student Heidi O’Connor-Brook and freshman, Julia Ebner, finished in 39:53.1. The Nanooks scored 69 points on Sunday. The score helped them win second place overall in the two-day competition.

Men’s Basketball

A solid week of two victories was welcomed by the Alaska Nanook Men’s Basketball game. The team played against Western Oregon University on Feb. 7, winning 80-77. The game was a part of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

“I’m proud of the guys” said Head Coach Mick Durham, “We hung in there with our defense and once we took the lead, you could tell our guys had been there before and knew how to win it.”

The Nanooks played on Saturday, Feb. 9, against Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, WA, winning with a close score of 68-67. This was the team’s first victory against SAU since 2005. Junior centerman, Sergej Pucar, lead the team to a strong victory, scoring all 10 of the team’s closing points in the last two minutes of the game. The Alaska Nanooks will be playing against the Alaska Anchorage Sea Wolves, in the Wells Fargo Sports Complex in Anchorage on Saturday, Feb. 16.

Women’s Basketball

The Montana State Billings Yellowjackets brought their game to the table on Thursday, Feb. 7, against the Alaska Nanook Women’s Basketball game in the Patty Center. Sophomore guard and communications student, Kelly Logue, scored a game high of 13 points but that was not enough to bring the Nanooks to a victory. The final score on Thursday was 70-50. To continue a tough weekend, the Nanooks lost to Seattle Pacific 87-71 on Saturday, Feb. 9. Sophomore guard Benissa Bulaya scored a career high of 18 points and Ruth O’Neal scored a career high of 17 points, with 10 rebounds and four steals. The Lady Nanooks will be playing Northwest Nazarene and Central Washington this week on Thursday and Saturday.

Men’s Ice Hockey

Colton Beck, junior left wing of the Alaska Nanook Hockey team led his team to a strong victory against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Friday, Feb. 8 at the Carlson Center. The final score of the game was 6-1. Because of his performance during the game, Beck was named Perani Cup first star. The Nanooks were not as lucky on Saturday night, losing 3-1 against the Buckeyes. The game went to Ohio State due to the 2 last minute goals scored in the third period of the game. Senior right wing, Andy Taranto, scored the Nanooks single goal that evening. The Nanooks will hit the road next to compete against the Lake Superior State Lakers in Saul Saint Marie, Michigan.

Junior leftwing and assistant coach, Colton Beck, does not leave any opportunity for Ohio State senior defenseman Devon Krogh to chase the puck at the Carlson Center game on February 8, 2013. Fernanda Chamorro/Sun Star

This year, the race started in Whitehorse and will finish on the Chena River in downtown Fairbanks. The Yukon Quest media guide estimates the first finisher to come in around Feb. 12. One way fans keep up with the race is through a set of spot trackers the mushers all have on their sled. These trackers send a message every few minutes and translates into a dot on an electronic map that fans can follow.

This year’s race has 26 mushers who really run the gamut in nationalities from American, Canadian, British, Norwegian, Swiss and even Czech, giving the International part of the race real meaning.

Each musher started the Race Saturday Feb. 2 at three-minute intervals based on their start bib number, these times will be adjusted at one of 10 checkpoints later in the race. Each musher starts the race with no more than 14 dogs and must finish with no less than six. Mushers stop at the checkpoints and have the chance to drop dogs, these dropped dogs are given to the handlers that are following the mushers via the road system and are taken care of throughout the race.

This year has potential to be a very heated race, with 16 veterans, the runners have thousands of miles of experience. Last year’s winner, Hugh Neff has returned to defend his championship which he won with 26 seconds ahead of Allen Moore, who is also back this year. In addition, four-time champion Lance Mackey has also returned to try and beat Neff, and become the first musher to win 5 Yukon Quest Races.

The Fairbanks area has a good showing in this race with mushers, Ed Abrahamson, Ds an Kaduce, Lance Mackey, Allen Moore, Cody Strathe and Abbie West.  More information about the race can and the trackers be found on the Yukon Quest website.

Wesley Schaefer is covering the Yukon Quest, and posting updates on his blog Comeback Chronicles.

Lance Mackey, wearing bib 6 walks up and down checking on his team in the chute right before he heads off on the 2013 Yukon Quest out of Whitehorse Yukon Territories on February 1, 2013. Wesley Schaefer/Sun Star

It takes five people to hold the dog sled back at the start chute for the 2013 Yukon Quest in Whitehorse Yukon Territories on February 1, 2013. Wesley Schaefer/Sun Star

Plug, one of Lance Mackey's 14 sled dogs in the race, sits patiently waiting for the race to start in Whitehorse Yukon Territory on February 1, 2013. Wesley Schaefer/Sun Star

Lance Mackey stretches his dogs legs out two days before the start of the Yukon Quest in Whitehorse Yukon Territory on January 29, 2013. Wesley Schaefer/Sun Star

Lance Mackey stretches his dogs legs out two days before the start of the Yukon Quest in Whitehorse Yukon Territory on January 29, 2013. Wesley Schaefer/Sun Star

Women’s Basketball

Western Washington took charge in the game played against the Alaska Nanook Women’s Basketball team in Bellingham last weekend and Simon Fraser University followed suit with the lady Nooks losing both games on Thursday, Jan 31 and Saturday, Feb 2. The games were  a part of the annual Great Northwest  Athletic Conference. The losing score for Thursday’s game was 77-48. UAF sophomore Benissa Bulaya shined during the game, scoring a team high of 13 points and providing five assist to fellow teammates. Saturday’s score was 71-55, with senior and sophomore guards Taylor Altenburg and Kelly Logue scoring game high scores of 16 and 15 points, respectively. The lady Nanooks will be competing next on the home court on Feb. 7 against Montana State-Billings.

Men’s Basketball

Northwest Nazarene came close to beating the Alaska Nanook Men’s Basketball team Thursday night, Jan. 31 in the Patty Center, but the Nooks fended them off by 1 point, with a  final score of 61-60. UAF junior guard Ronnie Baker saved Thursday’s game, making  two free throws with only 4.7 seconds left in the game. The team was not so lucky during Saturday evening’s game, Feb 2, played against Central Washington. The last 20 minutes  proved to be the stamp of death for the Nanooks with Central Washington outscoring them 43-27, pushing their final losing score to 71-54. UAF junior forward Andrew Kelly held a game and career high of 12 rebounds, Kelly also provided the team with 7 points throughout the game. The Nanook Men’s Basketball team will be competing next on Feb. 7 in Monmouth, Ore. against Western Oregon.

Men’s Ice Hockey

The Alaska Nanook Men’s Hockey team competed away from home last week against the Miami Redhawks in Ohio. Unfortunately, the team lost both games with a score for Friday night’s game of 4-1 and a score for Saturday night’s game of 6-2. Prior to these games, the Alaska Nanooks had been on a proud six game winning streak.

Friday night’s game began with Miami scoring two goals in the first period, and ended with another two goals scored against the Nanooks with only 2 minutes and 1 second remaining in the game. Mimicking their own quick strategy for Friday’s game, the Redhawks scored two first period goals against the Nanooks during Saturday’s game as well. The Nanooks did not balance out the score until nearly the twelfth minute of the second period. These games were played for the Central Collegiate Hockey Association game series.
Men’s Skiing

The Alaska Men’s Ski Team took charge last weekend on Saturday, Feb. 2 and Sunday, Feb. 3 for the Central Collegiate Ski Association championships in Marquette, Mich. These races were held at the Al Quaal Cross Country Ski Trails. UAF senior Ian Wilkinson held UAF’s top finishing position on Saturday, finishing the 1.5 kilometer freestyle sprint in fifth place. Alaska finished in fourth place with 54 points for the team standings on Saturday. The Nanooks will be competing next in Coleraine, Minnesota on Feb. 16 and 17.

Women’s Skiing

Along with the men’s ski team, the Alaska Nanook Women’s Ski Team also competed on both Saturday and Sunday during the CSAA championships in Marquette, Michigan. UAF senior Marit Rjabov maintained her sprint title, which she won last year, with a strong victory in the women’s 1.5 kilometer freestyle sprint. Sophomore Heidi O’Connor-Brook also finished in the top ten in seventh place. The team finished in third place on Saturday with 60 points. They will compete next on Feb. 16 and 17 in Coleraine, Minn.

Hands and arms tangle as players from both the Alaska Nanook Men's Basketball team and Central Washington fight for possession of the ball during Saturday night's game in the Patty Center on February 2, 2012. Erin McGroarty/Sun Star

During the second basketball game that the Alaska Nanook Men's team played against Central Washington last weekend, UAF Senior Dominique Brinson works to dribble around the opponent on February 2, 2012. Erin McGroarty/Sun Star

During the second of two basketball games played between the Alaska Nanook Men's Basketball team and Central Washington, UAF Junior Ronnie Baker jumps to make a shot on February 2, 2012. Erin McGroarty/Sun Star

At the men's basketball game between the Alaska Nanooks and Central Washington, held in the Patty Center, on Saturday, February 2, 2013, the faithful Nanook mascot circled the court encouraging the audience and the players alike. Erin McGroarty/ Sun Star

UAF Senior Dominique Brinson races down the court in an attempt to avoid the opposing players during the second of two basketball games played between the Alaska Nanook Men's team and Northwest Nazarene last weekend in the Patty Center February 2, 2012. Erin McGroarty/Sun Star

Players celebrate after UAF Freshman Colton Parayko, middle, finds an empty Northern Michigan WIldcats net during an extended 5-on-3 power play in the second period. Parayko was awarded the second star with a goal and two assists. Jan. 26, 2013. Robin Wood/Sun Star

Men’s Rifle

The Alaska Nanook Men’s and Women’s Rifle team competed at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, and Monday, Jan. 21, against the Texas Christian Horned Frogs. This competition was made up of two smallbore relays and two air rifle relays. While the Nanooks beat TCU in smallbore on Saturday, both days of competition ended in a tournament loss of 4657-4692. This is the Nanooks‘ second home loss this season. The Nanook Rifle team will be competing next at Texas El Paso University on Feb. 14.

Women’s Basketball

The Alaska Nanook Women’s Basketball team took a hard beating from Western Oregon on Saturday night, Jan. 26, losing 67-61. This game was part of the Great Northwest Conference, a conference they participate in each spring. Senior guard, Taylor Altengard, majoring in criminal justice, held the game high score of 14 points, also carrying the team with eight rebounds, five assists and two blocks. The Nanook Women’s Basketball team will be competing next at Western Washington University on Jan. 31. 

Men’s Basketball

The Alaska Nanook Men’s basketball team visited Simon Fraser University, in Burnaby, British Columbia and Western Washington University in Bellingham last week. The Nanook Men played their 16th game this season at Simon Fraser on Thursday, Jan. 24, and their 17th game of the season at Western Washington on Saturday, Jan. 26. These  final two games of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference ended in Nanook defeats at both SF, with a score of 68-54, and WW, with a score of 79-66.  At Simon Fraser, Junior forward, Andrew Kelly, led the Nanooks at the beginning of the game with 12 points and 7 rebounds, but to no avail. The Nanook Men’s Basketball team will be returning to Fairbanks to play against Northwest Nazarene University on Jan. 31 in the Patty Center at 7 p.m.  

Women’s Swimming

The Alaska Nanook Women’s Swim team competed on the 25th and 26th of January in their home pool in the Patty Center, losing both times against Simon Fraser University. The Simon Fraser swim team set three pool records on Friday evening, crushing the Nanooks with a score of 124-77, starting the days competition with a quick victory in the 400 medley relay. Saturday followed a similar suit, with the Nanooks‘ losing score of 124-71 and Simon Fraser setting two more pool records that day. The Nanook Women’s Swim team will compete next at the Pacific Collegiate Swimming and Diving Conference in La Mirada, California on Feb 13.

Men’s Ice Hockey

The Alaska Nanook Men’s Hockey team had a successful weekend, winning both games on Friday and Saturday evening against the Northern Michigan University Wildcats. Saturday’s game began with a rocky first period, the Nanooks being held down 0-1, until a few minutes into the second period. The Nanook score quickly rose to a comfortable winning score of 4-2 by the end of the third period. The winning score on Friday was 2-1. These two much-needed victories followed a long lasting 16 game losing streak for the Nanooks. The Nanook Men’s Hockey team will compete next on Feb. 1 against Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. 

Runners battle not only each other, but cold temperatures during the annual Chilly Buns Run on January 26, 2013. Adam Taylor/Sun Star

No prizes, no fans, no sponsors, just the excitement of getting together with friends for a race in the frigid Fairbanks January.  On Jan. 26, runners gathered across from the Patty Center in the morning to run 6.5 miles in the freezing cold. This race isn’t for the faint of heart, but then again, it closely follows suit with its name: the Chilly Buns Mid-Winter Run.

The Running Club North, a non-profit organization focused on keeping individuals active even in the heart of winter, hosts the annual run.  By 10 a.m., 19 runners were in attendance and waiting for directions from Jane LeBlond, the organizer of the event.  LeBlond gave the signal to start and the runners were off to not only face the 6.5 mile course but also the minus 42 degree temperatures.

The participants started out heading north on Sheep Creek, made a right on Miller Hill, ran past the musk oxen of the Large Animal Research Station and came back to the Patty Center to finish off the course.  Graduate student and former Nanook Rifle team member Partrick Sartz finished in first place, in just under 46 minutes.

This is one of the coldest runs in North America, where competitors come together simply to enjoy the run. This is the Chilly Buns Mid-Winter Run.

Ice forms on the eyelashes of one runner during the cold mid-winter run on January 26, 2013. Adam Taylor/Sun Star

The Chilly Buns Run begins at 10 a.m. with 19 runners; all of which finish the grueling race against time and temperature on January 26, 2013. Adam Taylor/Sun Star

Winner of the race, Patrick Sarte, finishes the 6.5 mile race in 45:45 on January 26, 2013. Adam Taylor/Sun Star

Runners cover their face in tape to help prevent frostbite from setting in when temperatures hover around -42 degrees on January 26, 2013. Adam Taylor/Sun Star

While temperature drowns the spirits of most Alaskans, runners of the Running Club North take to the pavement in this annual mid-winter run to keep spirits high on January 26, 2013. Adam Taylor/Sun Star

Bushy beards and 'staches catch arctic air during the winter race on January 26, 2013. Adam Taylor/Sun Star

Runners battle not only each other, but cold temperatures during the annual Chilly Buns Run on January 26, 2013. Adam Taylor/Sun Star

Jane LeBlond, seen in red pants, preps the runners for the Chilly Buns Run on the morning of January 26, 2013. Adam Taylor/Sun Star

Bushy beards and 'staches catch arctic air during the winter race on January 26, 2013. Adam Taylor/Sun Star