North America
New 100-mile dog sled race to start in Whitehorse
(Annalee Grant/Whitehorse Star, 19 January 2010) -- The Dog Powered Sports Association of the Yukon has announced a brand-new 100-mile race that will start from Shipyards Park on Feb. 27. The Road Runner 100 will be open to 25 sled and 10 skijor teams, making it the longest skijor race in North America. “We don’t think there’s another 100-mile race in North America, we think it’s the longest skijor race,” said Jonathon Lucas, vice president of the DPSAY. The race grew out of the Yukon Brewing Copper Haul Twister League. Many participants in those races felt there was a need for a mid-distance race closer to Whitehorse. Lucas said there are three races near Whitehorse every two years, including the Yukon Quest, the Yukon Quest 300 and the Percy de Wolfe Memorial. The Quest 300 starts in Whitehorse once every two years. Besides those, mushers have to drive to Alaska or other destinations to participate in the sport of mid to long-distance mushing. Another concern was that spectators only get to see the start and finish of the races that do start in town. The Road Runner 100 will run close to the Alaska Highway at parts, so spectators can follow the entire race if they want to. The close proximity to the road also helps increase the safety of the mushers along the way. “At any point you’re pretty close to rescue,” he said. The DPSAY board plans to grow the race from 100-miles to 200 in future years.
Posted 19 January 2010; 4:00:43 PM. Permalink
Tagged: Canada, Circumpolar News, January10, North America, Sports and Games, Yukon
email to: agra...@yukoncollege.yk.ca
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