Top of Wakemup        photo Ken Zylstra

Couple quick 2013 Arrowhead 135 Truth Stranger Than Fiction Items:

...warmest start temp in nine yr race history at ~25F. 

...largest starting field ever at exactly 135.

...first ever father/son finishers with Chris and Mark Scotch!

...two additional Arrowhead A'trois Finishers: Ken Krueger/Eric Dalgaard making total of 5 awards in race history.

...three out of last four years have seen long 3-man cycling breakaways leading up to final finish stretch. All three broke course record.

...second lowest finish rate in race history at ~35%. 2007 less than 25%.

...first year significant precipitation event. 8-10" heavy wet snow/sleet/ice pellets, areas biggest snowfall of season, mid-race. Not precisely forecasted, especially by race director: B.S. Meteorology UW-Madison 1979 Synoptic Specialty.

...unfortunately no women finishers. Many made noble/valient attempts.

Hope your travels to Frostbite Falls go well, things are looking good for adventure. Last minute updates: All we need to see at gear-check is required list gear, not the bike/sled,etc. Volunteer meeting for all nice volunteers Backus 2:30pm Sunday prior to racer meeting at 4PM next door. Right now looks like we missed good Arctic chill by couple days, nothing looming huge far as weather factors at the start, but that has history of changing at Arrowhead!  Midweek might be interesting and a Full Moon.....WeeHaw!

Arrowhead's got snow, some grooming, good thing I-Falls way north cause we got some cold weather and more coming too. 20+ states, ~7 countries represented with best winter ultra-fatbikers on planet, experienced, fast and deep field on foot and some skiers hoping for something more than -20F!  Likely 135 racers at gun.

Couple things: 2013 Gear check Sat Jan. 26th Noon-6PM and Sun 10AM-2PM at Backus Community Center (900 5th Street Internatl Falls, MN 56649), same place as last couple years pre-race meeting.  same  ) Street parking or big lot west side of Backus...come in west parking lot door easiest.  This years pre-race meeting across street to the east at Aquinas School/Church stage-gym at 4PM Sunday.  See race rules for more, not much else new but do have Chili provided 1st Checkpoint Gateway by nice folks Minnesota Sedation Dental. Since most of us have drawers overstuffed with race T-Shirts we're giving free Arrowhead 2013 original tote/duffel bag to racers this year, sweet Storkamp designed Arrowhead moisture-wicking shirts for sale modest price.

Our spare rooms filling up with race equipment and fine schwag for drawing, trophy making party planned next week though we are hoping -30F and soft trail so we hardly have to make any, HA!  Thanks to all volunteers/racers who make this race happen especially Don Clark, John Storkamp, John Spartz, Todd Gabrielson, Al Lauer, Tony Oveson, Russ Loucks, Gregg Pattison, Jerald Netland, most all have been making the race what it is every year we've been coming since 2006. Many others!

See you in I-Falls.

4-8" LIGHT BLUE, 8-12" MEDIUM BLUE, LAKE ICE DARK BLUE

Today's Christmas Arrowhead showin 4-12" snowcover, last nights reindeer flyby reported to me Friendly Anoka Tower at least north half trail machine groomed....fast.  Roster stacked 6 yrs worth of bike winners, 4-5 yrs foot/running winners, best depth talent across Mens and Womens field than any year I can think of.

If travel mode listed erroneously on roster please advise, also anybody thinking of skiing this year please let us know cause you are special. While we most love giving nice donated sponsor products to everyone at Arrowhead Famous Schwag drawings, will have stuff for mens and womens division winners. WeeHaw!

GROOMER AT ERICSBURG