Northeast Sun Valley/Trailcreek Sun Valley

In keeping with tradition, the Sun God smiled brightly on the 27th Annual Paw n’ Pole Sunday, March 4. Around thirty human and thirty canine racers turned the Sun Valley Gun Club into a racecourse of a different color. Multiple colors, to be precise. This year's costume theme, “It’s a Three Ringed Circus,” turned the site into a rainbow of craziness worthy of the Paw n’ Pole in all its glory. Racers weren’t the only winners on this fine day. One lucky gal, Pam Lyford, won the raffle for a 2012-2013 North Valley Trails Pass, and several Costume Contest, Pet Tricks, and Special Category winners took home prize bags stuffed with gift certificates, dog toys and other fun stuff.  And the winners are…

In the Kids’ Under 12 1K X-C, Tayah Hamilton and her dog “Behrol” won first, and Maren Feltman and “Boone the Peanut Dog” captured second. Sarah Feltman and “Boone the Tiger Dog,” and Natalee Morse and “Delvie Dog,” received honorary Silver and Bronze medals for running the Kid’s X-C course in snowshoes . (Hey, it’s the Paw n’ Pole.)  Medalists in the 4K X-C Long Course, the 1K X-C Short Course, and the Open Snowshoe were: 4K X-C: Gold: Laurie Breedveld and “Ranger,” Silver: Sarah Faith and “Chione,” Bronze: Mariah Stout and “Sponge Bob.” 1K X-C: Gold: Doran Key and “Buddy,” Silver: Bobby Noyes and “Pax,” and Bronze: Jean Tag and “Titus.” Open 1K Snowshoe: Gold: Isabelle Moore and “Daisy;” Silver: Grey Moore and Shelter Dog “Dora,” and Bronze: Cindy Scott and “Teddi.”

Costume Contest Winners

Best Family Theme: Jean, Kasey, Evi and Lia Johnson with “Titus”, “Roxy” and “Mica” dogs.

Best Adult Costume: Cindi Scott

Funniest Adult Costume: Isabelle Moore

Best Kid Costume: Natalee Morse

MC’s Best Costume Choices: Maren Feltman and Sarah Feltman

Cutest Tot Costume: Junior Regalado

Best Dog Costume: “Boone” Feltman (Peanut and Tiger Dog)

Funniest Dog Costume: “Teddi” Scott

Silly Pet Tricks Winners

First Place: Evi Johnson and “Roxy” doing “Circus Seal”

Second Place: Sarah Faith and “Chione” doing “Jump and Roll”

Third Place: Cindi Scott and Teddi doing “Tidy Up, March, Down”

Fourth Place: Chase Hamilton and “Behrol” singing “White Christmas”

Fifth Place: Sarah Feltman and “Boone” doing “Jump through a flaming hoop.” (No real flames… Boone is fine!)

Special Prize Categories:

Big Ol’ Dog: Chase Hamilton’s “Behrol”

Might As Well Be A Cat: Joy Bond’s shelter foster dog “Rocco”

The Itiderod Red Lantern Award: Ted Stout and “Snowdrift”

Race Results:

4K Long Course X-C: Laurie Breedveld and “Ranger” (12:00 min), Sarah Faith and “Chione” (13:45), Mariah Stout and “Sponge Bob” (13:57), Robin Potts and “Ida” (15:06), Nadia Novik and “Stella” (15:49), Kelly Kennedy Yokoyama and “Gift” (16:11), Heinz Schlosser and “Tucker Drew Pemberton” (16:40), Evi Johnson and “Roxy” (17:31),  Lea Johnson and “Titus” (17:31), Kasey Johnson and “Mica” (17:46), and Ted Stout and “Snowdrift” (31:00).  

1K Short Course X-C: Doran Key and “Buddy” (4:17), Bobby Noyes and “Pax” (6:06), Jean Tag and “Titus” (6:30), Jennifer BernbaumJ, “Bigs” and “Friday” (6:37), Noah Eckstein and Osmar (7:52), Deborah Fox and Scott Grill and “Amos” (9:23), Janice Blanton and “Dale” (18:14), Linda Closner and Shelter Dog “Paisley” (20:17), Nancy Rivetts and “Denali” (21:38), KT Gammon and “Mary Kate” (28:20), Dusty Bugge and “Mary Kate” (28:20), Levi Renner and “Diesel” (29:31), Heidi Bynum and “Vinnie” (29:31), John Foley and “Bodhi” (00:00). 

Open 1K Snowshoe: Isabelle Moore and “Daisy” (10:01), Grey Moore and Shelter Dog “Dora” (10:01), Cindy Scott and “Teddi” (10:30), Theresa Pemberton, “Annie” and “Jack” (11:05), Sarah Feltman and “Boone” (14:56), Vickie and Ron Brown, “KD” and “Chester” (17:40), Bridget Cimino and “Tamara” (18:14), and JR Regalado and “Luna” (00:00).

Thank You to Our Sponsors and Volunteers!

Every year, our loyal sponsors and volunteers faithfully return to us to contribute the support we need to keep this crazy, one-of-a-kind event going through the decades, and, every year, we add a few new sponsors. The Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley and Event Organizers Bobby Noyes, Doran Key and Andrea Nelson would like to thank the following for their generous contributions to this year’s Paw n’ Pole: Sun Valley Company, Blaine County Rec District, Atkinson’s Market, Thunderpaws Pet Shoppe & employee volunteers, Tully’s Coffee, Clear Creek Disposal, St. Francis Pet Clinic, Bald Mountain Biscuits, Smoky Mountain Pizza, McClain’s Pizza, Kathy Wygle and nexStage Theatre, The Sun Valley Figure Skating Club , The Dirty Beagle, YAK Volunteers, Community School Art Department & Volunteers, Animal Shelter Volunteers, Willy Cook and The Idaho Mountain Express, Shades of Sun Valley, Wood River High School Volunteers, The Pet Nanny, Hound Around, Dogs Play ‘n’ Train, and Chapter One Bookstore. Thank you. You rock!

About Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley

The Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley, the first “no kill” shelter in Idaho, promotes companion animal welfare by providing temporary shelter for homeless animals, adopting them to qualified homes and reducing animal abuse, neglect and overpopulation through community education and spay/neuter services. The Shelter is funded almost entirely by private donations and grants. In 2011, more than 1200 animals received vital services from the Shelter. This includes 390 animal adoptions, 259 lost animals reunited with their owners, 332 Blaine County pets spayed or neutered at our no-cost Spay/Neuter Clinic, and over 10,600 pounds of food distributed through our Paws for Hunger partnership with The Hunger Coalition. For more information call 208-788-4351, or visit our website at www.animalshelterwrv.org.

Less than two weeks until the final trail race of the season; the Trail Creek 12K Trail Run. I ran the course this weekend and it is in great shape. The trail is clear, tacky and always challenging. The leaves are in color and the temps have been perfect. There are even some new signs posted indicating Aspen Loop and Proctor Mountain Trail.

Race day is October 29, start time is 10am. Costumes are highly encouraged. Great awards for the top finishers as well as the best costume worn start to finish. Scott Sport has stepped in with some amazing footwear as prizes and EJ Harpham is once again creating some great awards. A raffle for all runners will also take place.

Onlilne registration is currently open at www.imathlete.com and will close on October 27. Race day registration is available at an increased entry fee. Don't delay, register now! Complete race details can be found at www.sunvalleyrunning.com

The time has come to pick out the costume you will wear during the second Trail Creek 12K Trail Run. Yes, fall is quickly approaching and the trail running is great. So, mark your calendar for October 29 and get your costume race ready! The race will once again start at 10am, allowing those that need to travel time to get here or to enjoy a leisurely morning before a great mountain trail run.

As last year, awards will be offered to top finishers as well as a little something for the best costume worn start to finish! Online registration is currently open at www.imathlete.com and will close October 27. Why delay, why pay more on race day? Make the commitment now for the last trail race of the season and register online.  

Complete race details can be found at www.sunvalleyrunning.com

Whoo Hoo! It's Paw n' Pole time again! X-C and snowshow races with your dog on a leash. Don't have a dog? Borrow one of the wonderful pooches the Animal Shelter brings to this crazy event, and you may end up meeting your new best friend! Costumes-- dog and human-- are optional, but go for it! The theme is Western, and prizes abound for all kinds of  "Best Costume" categories. Silly Pet Trick prizes, too! (Yea, we know you've been practicing all year long for this!) Here's the scoop (no pun intended): Sunday, March 6, 10:00 am at the Sun Valley Gun Club. Race entry fees: $5 per child; $10 per adult and $20 per family. Race entry includes a delicious Atkinson's chili lunch, Tully's hot chocolate and coffee, and one entry into a raffle for a 2011 North Valley Trail pass! Spectators free!

Register before January 16 to be guaranteed a custom embroidered Sun Valley Snowshoe Challenge beanie. Registration will remain open until January 27 but after the 16th there is not a guarantee to receive a beanie with your registration. Register online at www.imathlete.com.

Race day is January 29, register now to be guaranteed a beanie and to avoid race day registration fee increase! Race details at: www.sunvalleyrunning.com

Also - The second of three Tuesday evening snowshoe outings on the 5K course will take place Tuesday January 11. Meet at 5:15pm at the pumphouse on Diamondback Road (of the White Clouds), about a 1/4 mile south of the SV Nordic Center. Equipment: Snowshoes, headlamp (I have extras), poles are optional, appropriate attire and hydration needs. Expect anywhere from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.

Contact Brad with questions - 720-3759

The first of three group runs on the Trail Creek 12K  course will be tomorrow, starting at 5:30pm. Meet at Hemingway Memorial parking area. Contact Brad Mitchell with any questions, 720-3759.

Race Director Brad Mitchell will be hosting group runs on the Trail Creek 12K Trail Run course. Scheduled for October 5th, 12th, and 19th the runs will start at 5:30 pm from the Hemingway Memorial parking. The group runs are not training runs, they are intended to show off the course to anyone that is thinking of participating on race day. Participants should be able to complete a seven mile course.

Registration is currently open at www.active.com. Race details can be found at www.sunvalleyrunning.com.  Questions may be directed to Brad Mitchell, 720-3759.

Ms. Radlova comes to Sun Valley Resort with 32 years of cross country skiing experience and 10 years of coaching experience.

Most recently, she was Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Nordic Ski Education Foundation at Steamboat Springs, CO. Other Nordic ski related positions she has held include Nordic Center Manager and Head Development Coach at Bogus Basin, Boise, ID, Instructor and Assistant Manager at Steamboat Ski Touring Center and Assistant Coach for the Colorado University Ski Team in Boulder, CO. Ivana now lives in Hailey and is looking forward to becoming an integral part of the Sun Valley Resort Recreation Team.

Ivana Radlova was a Czechoslovakian cross country skier who competed in the late 1980s. She finished seventh in the 4 x 5 km relay at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.

Registration is now open for the first Trail Creek 12K Trail Run scheduled for October 30, 2010. A classic trail run with buffed-out single track, a few up's and down's and views that will make you want to run the loop twice. Race day is during halloween weekend so we are encouraging costumes. Best male / female costume, which must be worn from start to finish, will receive a special award!

Register on line at www.active.com, $20 online through October 28, $25 day of. Run details can be found at www.sunvalleyrunning.com

sunvalleyrunning.com presents another soon to be classic trail race for the Sun Valley area. Scheduled for October 30, this course will offer classic trail running, a couple ups, a couple downs, and some good flat to really spin the legs. A little twist to the run will be the costume element. costumes are encouragerd and the best will be awarded.

On line registration will open Septmeber 1, entry fee will be $20. Details can be found at www.sunvalleyrunning.com

A  glorious Sunday graced the Animal Shelter’s 25th Annual  “Silver Anniversary”  Paw n’ Pole celebration March 7th. We had a nice turn-out, and the warm, sunny weather inspired some very creative costumes, both dog and human!  Not intended as a  major fundraiser, the Paw n' Pole is promoted as an affordable family  “funraiser.” There's some real racing (... at least to the extent you can call X-C and Snowshowing with a dog on a leash racing), but it's really almost a spoof on racing... a great way to finish off the weekend after three days of the Janss. Costume contests and Pet Tricks run while the results are being tallied. Lunch is included (and BTW Atkinsons' freshly made chili is fabulous!).  The Animal Shelter shows off some of it's star dogs... beautiful, social dogs with enough brains, personality and good looks to make the top breeders weep! 

Paw n' Poles generally break even, because race registration prices are deliberately kept low , but this year we raised  more than $1,400 in profit, thanks to some nice donations and the sale of raffle tickets for a Blaine County Nordic Trail Pass. Best of all, a Shelter Dog named “Odin,” (the black lab mix with the shiney coat who won the 2K X-C),  went home with a wonderful new family . 

Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate the extra-special 25th Paw n’ Pole. We had a fantastic, fun-loving crowd this year, and the dazzling sunshine made for a truly ideal Silver Anniversary.

The 2010 Paw and Pole race results are:

Open Long 2K X-C:

Robin Potts with Shelter Dog, Odin                                        

Sue Englemann with her dog, Calvin                                      

Dawn Peterson with her dog, Kody

Open Short 1 K X-C:

Doran Key with her dogs, Buddy & Daisy             

Kelly Allison with her dog, Bella              

Mary Crofts with her dog, Jake 

Kids 1K X-C:

Laine Allison with her dog, Bella

Kai Nelson with Banjo

Jamie Graninger with Obo

Open Showshoe

Buck Drew with Tucker

      (OK. Buck actually won the 2K.  Or was it the Men’s Halfpipe. Might have been Ballroom dancing.)  

Zach with Maggie                                           

Becky Klassen with Annie           

Grand Prize Raffle Winner: Beth Byerley of Sun Valley won the raffle for the Blaine County Nordic Trails 2010-2011 Season Pass.

Costume and Special Category Contests:

BEST FAMILY THEME:  Anne-Marie, Fisher, West and Ruby Gardner with their Dog, Quigley.

FUNNIEST GROUP COSTUME:  Sue Engelmann and Kelly Bird, aka “The Silver Bullets,”   with their dogs Pyper and Calvin

BEST KID COSTUME:  Jamie Graninger with her dog Obo

MC’s CHOICE KID’S COSTUME:  Layne Allison with her dog Bella

CUTEST TOT COSTUME:  West and Ruby Gardner (twin brother and sister) with their dog Quigley

BEST DOG COSTUME: Joy Knoespel with her dog Queenie

FUNNIEST DOG COSTUME:  Doran Key with her dog Buddy

MC’s CHOICE OVERALL:  Cindy Phelan and her pugs Lily and Sparky

BIG OL’ DOG:  Ted Stout ‘s dog, Sponge Bob

LITTLE SWEETHEART:  Emily Siegel’s dog Abby

MIGHT AS WELL BE A CAT: Peter Johnson’s dog Lula

THE ITIDEROD RED LANTERN (slowest dog): Joy Knoespel’s dog Queenie

Silly Pet Trick Winners

Cindy Phelan and Lily

Hilary Hayward and Abby

Kathy Clark and Roger

Becky Classen and Abby

James Buchanan and Paddinton

How many local events can you name that began 25 years ago are stiil kicking?  The Paw n' Pole is a true throw-back to Ketchum/Sun Valley’s  laid back, small town past. Silly, simple, and fun, the Paw n’ Pole is as casual as it comes. Heck, even the race entry price hasn't gone up much, so, what began as the Animal Shelter's primary fundraiser, is now kept alive purely as a "funraiser" to preserve Blaine County's "We love our dogs" personality.  

For the few in this valley who have never been to a Paw n' Pole, here's what you can look forward to:  X-C and snowshoe races with your dog on a leash! Seriously... a leash!  Yep, you get tangled up and stopped for sniffing and other doggish necessities, but that's what it's all about. It’s a great way to finish up a fun Nordic weekend the day after the Janss races end, and you can and re-use your  costume!  Don’t have a dog? Partner up with an Animal Shelter dog, while they last. There are lots of cool prizes for several “Best Costume” categories.  There’s even a “Silly Pet Tricks” contest to fill the time while the results are tallied. And, every race entry slip is entered into a raffle for a 2010-2011 Season Blaine County Nordic Trails Pass! You can also help the Animal Shelter by buying raffle entries for $10 each.

The Paw n’ Pole starts at 10 am, but registration will open by 9:30 am—maybe earlier if we get it together in time. (Told you… this event is laid back!)  Plan to arrive early to register, because we have 100 commemorative “Silver Anniversary Paw n’ Pole” hats to give away free with registration while they last!  These puppies (the hats, I mean) are definitely going to be local collector’s items someday.

The 2010 Paw n’ Pole is Sunday, March 7, 10:00 am at the Sun Valley Gun Club. Drive out Sun Valley Rd towards Trail Creek and watch for the signs. If snow fails us at the gun club, we might move it up the road a little... just watch for the signs and the cars.  Please observe the parking signs and always keep your dog leashed, even if you dog is super-social in crowds.This year's Costume Theme is “Silver Anniversary Party.” (Costumes optional.) Admission: $5/child; $10/adult; $20 family. Each race registration fee includes one delicious Atkinson’s chili lunch, one raffle entry for a 2010 Nordic Trails Season Pass donated by Blaine County Rec., and one hat while they last!  The Paw n’ Pole is truly small town fun. No glitz, easy-going and usually over by noon. There's time between races to chat with friends and pet dogs while basking in the glory of a (hopefully) beautiful, Sun Valley spring day. The Paw n' Pole is one of a kind. Spectators and photographers welcome. "You can’t call yourself a “local” until you’ve seen the Paw n’ Pole! " For more information call the Animal Shelter at 788-4351.

Any profit this event makes benefits the Animal Shelter. That said, we keep admission prices so low, there is never much profit made at the Paw n’ Pole, so please remember to donate to the privately funded Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley throughout the year, or go volunteer there. It is one of our valley’s greatest assets.