MULLEN, NE –There was only 19 seconds between 1st and 2nd place at the 6th Annual Polar Bear Tank Race.
The Total Tank Team, Dennis Whitfield, Kyle Whitfield, Tracy Whitefield, and Colby Welton from Bellevue, Nebraska won 1st a winning time of 1 hour, 4 minutes and 46 seconds.
The River Rats Adrian Jensen, Tim Barkley & Trent Waltz from Chadron; Dan Avery of Hay Springs, Nick Brost of Indianola and Tony Corbin Mullen placed second with a time of 1 hour, 5 minutes and 5 seconds.
Third place went to the Rumble on the River team of Mullen, Ainsworth, Maywood and Kearney with a time of 1:05:33 and Fourth place went to the Brew Crew of Crete, Wilber and Dorchester with a time of 1:05:45. The race was extremely close as there was only 59 seconds between 1st and 4th place.
The Best Decorated Tank was “Pretty in Pink” consisted of team members Cheryl Sheldon, Susan Bartels, Susan Proskover, Annette Henkel, Deb Moore and Christine Karell of Alliance. It was their first time in participating in the race.
The Best Costumed Tank Team was “Rumble On The River,” with team members Eric Donahue of Maywood, Jesse Jacobs of Kearney, Wade Marsh of Mullen and Trevor Glidden of Ainsworth.
With the temperature at around 40 degrees and a light wind made for a brisk morning when the first tank was launched at 9am MT. Teams competed in a rally race aboard a stock tank for approximately four miles. The remaining eleven racing teams entered at three minute intervals, and then the seven “floater” teams at one minute intervals. Four, five, six and seven person teams were made up of people from the communities of Lincoln, Omaha, Bellevue, Alma, Wahoo, Central City, Milford, Seward, Henderson, Alliance, McCook, Gordon. Some individuals on the teams came from as far away as Grays Lake (suburb of Chicago, IL), Maple Valley, WA, Glenwood Springs and Castle Rock, CO, Fayetteville, AR, and Laveen, AZ. There were a variety of age participants from 21 – 70+, with all male, all female teams, and couples teams. This is an event that anyone can enjoy in participating.
When the tankers reached the “Finish Line” at a campsite near Hwy 97, they were transported to the Consolidated Telephone building north of Mullen for a Hamburger lunch provided by the Nebraskaland National Bank.
A prime-rib dinner awards banquet was held at the Seneca Community Auditorium with the Rustic Restaurant of Mullen catering the meal and Brahmer’s of Thedford providing the cash bar.
Jody Jacobs, lunch provided by Nebraskaland National Bank, Mullen; Hooker County Visitors Committee and Thomas County Visitors Committee, Middle Loup River Ranch Guest House of Thedford, and Glidden Canoe Rentals of Mullen.
The organizers appreciate the help of the local sponsors, Consolidated Telephone for use of their building for breakfast and lunch, with breakfast for the racers hosted by Kirk & More than half of the teams were returning teams and many of the participants said they’d return again next year. Approximately 40% of the teams have participated all six years.
The event is held each year to promote the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway, Nebraska Highway 2 between Grand Island and Alliance, and its communities thus bringing economic development to the area. It is also held as a benefit to add to the Byways marketing efforts throughout the year.
For information about next years race contact Mitch Glidden 308-546-2206 or 888-278-6167 [email protected] or visit the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway website at www.SandhillsJourney.com.