Redington's Callin' Trail Kennel

Iditarod Racing Kennel

2008 Iditarod
Ryan's race: Even though the Iditarod didn't go as I had hoped to was a great learning experience and we still had fun out on the trail. It was great to be able to run with my brother, Ray Redington Jr., we always have a good time being able to talk to one other at the checkpoints. The trail was very snowy this year which made for slow going at times but made other parts of the trail better than I had ever seen them. There was a lot of snow through the Gorge and also across the Burn, which made these parts of the trail easier than when I had been through in the past.
Thanks to everyone who helped make it possible to get me out on the trail. Next year we will be back and better than ever. Hope to have you with us again!
3/8/2008 P.M.--- Well after lots of thought and careful consideration Ryan has decided to scratch from the race. The four dogs that he dropped in Cripple were Pop, Angel, Crackle, and Columbia. These dog were his 2 main leaders and the swing dogs (the dogs right behind lead). They are all doing great but were just getting sore and could not continue down the trail. After leaving the dogs in Cripple, Ryan continued on and made the run to Ruby where he decided to pull out of the race. We will get Ryan's race story up sometime this week.
A thank you to everyone that has been cheering the team on during the race. Also, a great big thanks to everyone who helped to get the team out on the trail. We hope to have you with us again for next year's Iditarod which will hopefully be a little smoother.
Ryan's brother, Ray Redington Jr., is still on the trail and currently in 18th place! Please continue to watch the race and cheer for him on his way to Nome.
3/8/2008--- Not much to report from the trail other than guessing at what is going on with the team. It looks as if since leaving Ophir, Ryan has adjusted his run-rest schedule to be running at night and avoiding running during the heat of the day. With the warm temperatures on the trail this year, running in the cooler parts of the day will help the dogs stay happier out on the trail.
Looking at the Iditarod updates this morning it shows Ryan dropping 4 dogs in Cripple. We might not get them back to the kennel for a day or so, but once I know who is back I will be sure to update.
3/5/2008-- The second dog to be dropped from the team was Angel, from Karin and Varan. She had a sore leg and was getting tired so Ryan decided to drop her in Nikolai. The dogs are really getting home fast this year. Angel was back in the lot the same night that she was left behind.
Ryan and team are looking good. They had a bit of a slower run time on the last stretch but that is most likely due to all of the warm weather that the teams are seeing out on the trail. I wouldn't be surprised if Ryan changes his plans and decides to 24 in Takotna. We will just have to wait and see.
Image: 
3/3/2008 P.M.-- The dropped dog is Lady. This was her first time on the Iditarod team and she just got a little tired. She is doing fine and happy to be back in the lot and done flying on airplanes!
We hope he hangs on better than this the rest of the way to Nome!
3/3/2008-- The start of the race in Willow went very well yesterday. It was a beautiful day with warm temperatures and a bit of sunshine now and then. Ryan and the team were super ready to be under way but were calm and relaxed while waiting to take off. Thanks again to the many people that helped the team get to the starting line. It was great to see all of our friends. I will post pictures from the start ASAP.
So far Ryan seems to be running according to his plan. Right now he is resting in Finger Lake and should be there for 6 or so hours before taking off and running straight to Rohn (at least according to the plan). Hopefully he and the dogs are having a great time out on the trail.
Erin and sister, Sonia, having fun at the ceremonial start.
3/1/2008-- The ceremonial start in Anchorage went very well today. The dogs were happy to get out and everyone had a great time. Thanks to all who helped out today, Bryan, Christian, Daisy, Meredith, Marilyn, Jane, Sonia, Wade, and Barb for the wonderful pictures. Tommorow is finally the start of the race and it will be awesome to get the team out and on their way to Nome!
Ryan leaving the ceremonial start.
2/29/2008-- Yesterday was the day for the mushers meeting and the banquet. Ryan had a good day at the meeting which seemed to go shorter than usual. One different rule this year is that the mushers are not allowed to phone home during the race! This is a bit of a bummer becuase it was always nice to be able to talk to Ryan while he was out there and get the latest on how he was doing. I will still update the website with the dropped dog info and anything else I can find.
At the banquet last night the mushers went back to drawing their numbers at random. Ray, Ryan's brother, drew in the first group of mushers for numbers 2-49 and Ryan was in the second group drawing from numbers 50- 61. Ray drew number 49 and Ryan number 51!!! Ryan was very excited to be able to draw a number near his brother becuase hopefully they will be able to keep each other company on the trail.
Tommorow is the Ceremonial start. I will try to post pictures and such tommorow evening.
Angel
Here is this year's Iditarod team. Thanks to everyone who has let us borrow dogs to fill out the team! Click on the pictures to enlarge the image.

Angel-- Female, 6 years old. Leader. This will be her second trip to Nome. Last year she finished the race in lead. Borrowed from Raymie and Barb Redington

Columbia-- Female, 7 years old. Leader. Columbia's first trip to Nome with Ryan but she has run the Iditarod before.

Crackle-- Female, 4 years old. Leader. This is Crackle's first trip to Nome. She is the sister to Pop, who is also on the team.
Columbia
Crackle
Angel-- Female, 6 years old. Leader. Angel ran last year's Iditarod with Ryan and made it all the way to White Mountain. She belongs to our friend's Karin and Varan. Thanks for letting her join the team for the Iditarod!

Fly-- Male, 4 years old. Hard pulling team dog. This will be his first trip with Ryan. On loan from Karin and Varan.

Carmack-- Male, 4 years old. Can run lead. His second time to Nome with Ryan. He made it to Nome last year.
  
 
Carmack
Athena
Athena-- Female, 3 years. Team dog. First Iditarod running. Borrowed from Ray and Julia Redington.

Greg-- Male, 7 years. Team dog. Greg is definitely a veteran having been on the Iditarod team 3 previous times, making it to the finish line in 2 of those races. He is borrowed from Raymie and Barb Redington.

Hurley-- Female, 6 years. Leader. Hurley was one of the stars of last year's Iditarod. She single led much of the way to Nome and made it all the way to the finish. This will be her second Iditarod.
Greg
Hurley
Lady-- Female, 4 years. Team dog. This is her first run to Nome. On loan from Raymie and Barb Redington.

Pop-- Male, 4 years. Team dog. His second Iditarod. Last year he ran to Ophir. Brother to Crackle, who is also on the team.

Stovepipe-- Male, 4 years. Team dog. Stovepipe has been on the team once before and made it to the finish line in Nome. His brother Coal is also on the team.
Lady
Pop
Stovepipe
Flip
Flip-- Male, 4 years. Team dog. His second time on the team, last year he made it to Eagle Island.

Klondike-- Female, 7 years. Team dog. Her third time to Nome. She made it all the way to the burled arch on her previous two trips. Borrowed from Raymie and Barb Redington.

Skeeter-- Male, 4 years. Team dog. First trip to Nome with Ryan. Borrowed from Karin and Varan.
 
 
Coal
Coal-- Male, 4 years. Team dog. Last year Coal made it to Nikolai and this year will be his second year on the team. Brother to Stovepipe who is also running to Nome this year. Coal is borrowed from Raymie and Barb Redington.