Saskatchewan's Sled Dog Race, Canada
Annual Event Attracts Mushers From Around the World
Jan 22, 2009
The 12th annual Canadian Challenge sled dog race starts February 18, 2009 with a ceremonial start in downtown Prince Albert in north central Saskatchewan, on the Canadian prairies. The province’s Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Gordon Barnhart, will appear as the celebrity rider for the third year in a row.
A banquet to kick off the annual race is set for February 17, 2009.
Mushers Come From Afar to Run the Canadian Challenge
Teams of specially-trained dogs and mushers from all over the world will leave from Prince Albert and make their way north over more than 500 kilometres of groomed trails. The race always begins with a ceremonial start in Prince Albert before mushers and their teams head to more remote areas of northern Saskatchewan.
This year, a guaranteed purse of at least $20,000 will be split among the winners of the 12-dog, 8-dog and Junior races. About 20 teams participated in the race last year.
Daryl Minter, vice president of the Gateway North Sled Dog Association, which organizes the race, says the Canadian Challenge is a popular event that attracts local participants along with mushers from various other countries, including the United States, Australia, Germany, Belgium and Serbia. The race is also a qualifying event for the Iditarod, or Yukon Quest, which begins in Alaska in March.
“They don’t call it a challenge for nothing,” Minter said about the Canadian race.
“We take quite a variety of skill level in our mushers … I’m sure people learn from every race.”
The race can be quite an exciting time for residents living in remote northern Saskatchewan communities as well. Some area residents missed their chance to see the dog sled teams in 2008 when bad weather forced organizers to reroute parts of the trail.
“We’re always at the mercy of Mother Nature,” said Minter.
Race the Longest to Run Entirely in Canada
According to the association, the 12-dog Canadian Challenge is the country’s longest sled dog race that starts, runs and ends in Canada. The event traces an historic route between Prince Albert and La Ronge in northern Saskatchewan, similar to the sled dog trail used in years past by trappers, the North West Mounted Police and first nations groups.
The route follows the earliest known transportation passage through central Saskatchewan, the sled dog association says. Known as the Freight Trails, the route was a link between communities in the northern and southern parts of the province.
Volunteers Make Event a Smooth Affair
Close to 100 volunteers help organize the Canadian Challenge each year, Minter said. Veterinarians also volunteer their time to monitor the health of the sled dogs at various checkpoints during the race.
“It still amazes me that it’s entirely (run by) volunteers,” Minter added.
The race runs until February 22, 2009.
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