Jessica Klinkenberg
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, August 29, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - The stands were packed, the racers were at their mark and the photographers were lined up, snapping away.

At the count of three, two hamsters, a gerbil, a guinea pig and a prairie dog left the gate.

The annual Herby Derby race at JJ Hobbies on Saturday saw a couple of return contenders and a few new fuzzy faces.

First place went to a hamster named Brownie, owned by Jessica Tees.

This was Brownie's first race and she dominated the competition.

Tees purchased Brownie in May, and she never expected her to do so well.

"I'm really happy and amazed that she loves running a lot," she said.

"Last year I entered my hamster Teddy Bear. She came in third place and she was so small."

Elin Forsyth's hamster, Dartmoor, trained hard for the race, Rocky-style.

"She loves running in her ball," said Forsyth. "I got her to run up the stairs."

However, Benjamin Elkin's gerbil, George, slacked off.

"He trained last year," said Elkin. "He hasn't been running very much."

The guinea pig, Princess, belonged to Miranda Turcott. Princess froze on the track.

Princess, Turcott decided, needs more training before next year's race.

"Can we start now?" Turcott asked her mother.

The prairie dog, which was representing race sponsor JJ Hobbies, never made it across the finish line. The critter fell asleep in his ball in the middle of the race.

All the racers received a gift certificate to the store. Tees said she was going to purchase some treats and toys for her champion hamster racer.

"I might buy him a treadmill," Elkin said, eyeing George who was resting in his ball.