DRIGGS, Idaho — On Saturday, Anny Malo crossed the finish line, and became the first person in the Pedigree Stage Stop Race’s history to win five consecutive times.
Malo came into the race with a 25 minute lead on the next closest competitor. She finished with a time of 2:07:47, and a 13.6 mph average speed. She was followed by Liz Thompson 90 seconds later, who was a mere 19 seconds ahead of Cathy Rivest in third place. Alix Crittenden and Laura Bontrager completed the top five finishers.
This stage is notorious for its seven-mile climb, as well as its treacherous descent. It proved to be tough for the most prepared teams, especially on the seventh consecutive day of effort. Temperatures warmed up to just below freezing, a nice change from earlier in the races brutal cold. The trail remained in better condition than expected, and a 16 mph wind kept the dogs cool.
All 16 teams finished with smiles and high fives and made for a memorable seventh and final stage of the event.
The Pedigree Stage Stop Race consists of seven individual stages on National Forest land trails that wind through the seven mountain ranges of western Wyoming and Idaho. Teams cover 30 to 35 miles per day on out-and-back courses.
Video highlights can be seen here.
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