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Wasilla's Ryan Redington, grandson of the man for whom the event is named, crossed the finish line just after 9 a.m. Sunday to win his second career Knik 200 Joe Redington Memorial Sr. Sled Dog Race in Knik.
Redington led most of the race. After starting seventh, he passed all six mushers in front of him by the halfway point in Skwentna, breaking a race record in the process by covering the distance in under seven hours.
His run back to Knik was nearly as fast.
Shortly after the race, Redington said he knew his team would be hard to catch on the return journey — for good reason. Redington's "Callin' Trail" kennel is located just down the road from the finish line at Knik Lake, and his dogs train in the area on a daily basis.
"They know the way home," he said.
Redington said the conditions were ideal for a fast run, with hard-packed trails and cool temperatures for the duration of the race, which began at 11 a.m. Saturday.
The 25-year-old also won the race in 2004 and is a two-time Junior Iditarod winner. Last season he finished a career-best 18th in the Iditarod.
Fox's Ken Anderson edged fellow Fairbanks area musher Dan Kaduce for second place after Kaduce ran into a bit of bad luck late in the race. Leading Anderson as the two crossed the final miles to Knik, Kaduce first had to retrieve a loose dog, then ran headlong into a recreational musher using the race trail for a Sunday drive.
Anderson narrowly avoided the meddlesome musher, but Kaduce's team got tangled up. By the time things were sorted out, Anderson had a lead he'd not relinquish, crossing the finish line 20 seconds ahead of Kaduce.
Ryan Redington's older brother, Ray Jr., was fourth, followed by Matt Hayashida in fifth.
INTO KNIK (as of Noon Sunday):
1. Ryan Redington, 9:00:47; 2. Ken Anderson, 9:38:10; 3. Dan Kaduce, 9:38:30; 4. Ray Redington Jr., 9:55:27; 5. Matt Hayashida, 9:59:47; 6. Zack Steer, 10:15; 7. Sebastian Schnuelle, 10:28:49; 8. Gerry Willomitzer, 10:29:57; 9. Aaron Burmeister, 10:36:58; 10. Mitch Seavey, 11:07; 11. Jake Lynshyn, 11:09; 12. Gene Smith, 11:10; 13. Jon Little, 11:30:12; 14. Mike Santos, 11:45:39
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