Covenant News

Ellie Claus Doing Well in First Iditarod Race

SHAKTOOLIK, AK (March 15, 2004) - Ellie Claus, whose family has connections with First Covenant Church in Anchorage, was currently ranked 50th overall this morning in the 1,100-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race that began March 6.

Claus, who is 18, is racing in her first Iditarod. A total of 87 competitors began the race in Anchorage. The finish line is at the Evangelical Covenant Church of Nome.

The winner of the 2003 Junior Iditarod, Claus has received sponsorship help from her uncle, Bruce Markwood, and the Anchorage Local #1264 Fire Department. They helped raise part of the $30,000 needed for Claus to compete in the event. Claus is the youngest racer in this year's Iditarod. Her grandmother, Eleanor, is a former member of the Executive Board of the Evangelical Covenant Church.

More about Claus' journey to the finish line will be available on this Covenant online news report at www.covchurch.org later this week. To check on the updated results, visit www.iditarod.com.

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