Maurice Andrews won his first Bogus Creek 150 title Saturday morning after outlasting 14 of his competitors on an icy-fast trail. His team of nine dogs arrived in Bethel at 11:12 a.m. Saturday.
“It was pretty slippery in some spots," said Andrews. "It was mostly ice. But there was snow upriver.”
From the beginning of the race Andrews says he felt he had a good shot at winning. And from the start Andrews raced in front, arriving at the halfway mark with a 12-minute edge over Matt Scott. Andrews says that he didn’t see any other competitors during the entire second half of the race.
Andrews completed his championship race behind leaders “Cricket” and “Serious Business.”
“He’s a good leader. That’s why I named him Serious Business,” said Andrews.
Andrews’ only previous Bogus Creek 150 finish earned him third place in 2017. Andrews wins $7,500 from the $50,000 race purse. Originally from Alakanuk, the 34-year-old racer was chased by Matt Scott, Cameron Jackson, and Gregory Larson on the run into Bethel. Racing dogs from the John Simon kennel, Andrews had a 17-minute edge over Bethel racer Matt Scott as they left the Tuluksak checkpoint.
But it was Cameron Jackson who arrived in Bethel an hour after Andrews to take second place with his team of six dogs. Jackson said that the ice presented a challenge for his dogs, but nothing that the team couldn't overcome with a good training season.
“It was a little stressful for them, but it’s what they’ve been training on for the past month. I’ve gotta teach them how to skate," said Jackson.
Third into Bethel was John George, moving up in the field to pass Greg Larson and the fourth-place finisher Matt Scott in the final miles. Greg Larson arrived in Bethel in fifth place.
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