The Fur Rendezvous Open World Championship Sled Dog Race has been held each year since 1946. This year 17 mushers from Alaska, Canada, the lower 48 and Germany are competing for the $55,000 purse. This is a sprint race over three days. Teams run the same 26 mile route three days in a row. The team with the fastest combined times wins the race.
Mushers draw bib numbers ahead of the first day's race. On Race Day 1 the Teams leave the Start at 2 minute intervals based upon the order of the bib draw. On Days 2 and 3 of the race the start order is determined by the previous day's finishing time. The slowest Teams leave first followed at two minute intervals by the next faster Team. This makes for an exciting race from the midpoint on as the Teams pass each other as they head for home.
Dogs that compete in this race are superb athletes. These dogs have a unique combination of speed and endurance and a mind capable of navigating urban streets and trails. These dogs can reach up to 20 MPH! During this race the teams encounter culverts and footbridges. They run on city streets and trails. They ignore crowds and loose dogs. These dogs are able to successfully pass tough physical and mental challenges.
Race Day 1 BB and I are at the Start to see the Teams off. The dogs are excited! We hear them barking from several blocks away! Mushers and volunteers work hard to hold the dogs back. Teams are lined up several blocks from the Start. Teams waiting to start are attached to a snow machine to keep them in place. Teams at the Start line are held in place by 4 Firemen! BB and I see all 17 teams off.
A Team at the Starting Line.
Firemen holding the sled to keep the dogs behind the Start line.
On Race Day 2 we see the Teams Start and Finish. We go for the bird's eye view today and watch the Start from the 3rd deck of a parking garage. It removes us from the excitement and energy of the crowd; however, allows us a better view of the Teams.
On Race Day 3 I am at Goose Lake. I want to see the Teams on the course. The Teams go by Goose Lake twice. Outbound they pass by between 10 and 15 minutes after starting. Inbound they pass by about an hour to an hour and 20 minutes after starting. When I arrive at Goose Lake the only people there are me, the race workers and a police officer. They tell me the best place to watch, when to expect the first team and what their responsibilities are. One worker is there to record each Team's time as they go by. The other is there to keep spectators off the course. The police officer is there to do police stuff. As we talk the officer begins to look familiar. I asked her if we talked at the parade yesterday and she said Yes. I am standing by a curve in the trail. It is fun to watch the dogs and sleds race abound the curve.
I was so tickled that the officer remembered me.
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Sal
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