Dry land racing

Do you like the experience of being outdoors and around dogs?  Add the adrenalin rush of speed and sled dog racing could be for you.

If you haven't experienced it, it's very difficult to convey the excitement of a sled dog race.

Dogs howling, barking, all of the customised vans and trailers lining the trails to the start and finish areas, the large numbers of dogs tied out on ‘stake out’ chains, whilst getting harnessed and watered for the run, the multi coloured harnesses and booties that the dogs wear whilst running, rigs lined up at the start ready to go, nervous mushers mentally running through a checklist, before they leave for their run, the crescendo of noise at the start line, then the sudden quiet as the dogs take off and concentrate on their job.

Why not visit a Race near you and get a 1st hand experience?

Take a camera, some food (as not all events have catering) and don’t be afraid to ask the mushers questions. All mushers LOVE to talk about their dogs- it is their favourite subject!  Mushers can be busy preparing for their run and equally busy immediately after coming back in from a run but, without exception, all will be willing to talk to you and answer any questions you may have once they have time.

Feel free to bring along your own dogs, but do keep them off the trails whilst an event is on - it can be very off-putting for the dog teams. The start and finish areas at a race are always popular with spectators but do take the time to walk out on the trail and see the dogs doing what comes naturally - running hard. The best teams work in an almost fluid like motion and seem to cover the ground effortlessly.

Heritage Rig

Staked out

Waiting to go

In Competition