16th Annual Kearney Dog Sled Races

16th Annual Kearney Dog Sled Races
Feb 5th, 6th and 7th 2010

   THE KEARNEY DOG SLED RACE COMMITTEE IS PLEASED TO HOST A 120 MILE UNASSISTED MID-DISTANCE RACE.

The Biggest Little Town in Ontario, Kearney is adding another race to its already impressive schedule for the 2010 schedule. Besides playing host to a 2 day event that presents a 4 mile, 6 mile, ski-joring and 40 mile race each day. The town has received approval from council to also organize a 120 mile mid-distance.
 
The Kearney Sleddog Race Organization in consultation with the Ontario Federation of Sleddog Sports has been working on setting up a good old fashion mid-distance race. The twelve dog teams will leave town in the late afternoon travel 60 miles through the beautiful hardwood bush and bogs bordering on the west side of Algonquin Park and return back into Kearney. A designated 4 hour layover will be taken at the area baseball field where residence and visitors witnessing the event will be able to watch the mushers perform the dog care duties.

Once the layover and starting time compensation is complete, teams will head back out on the same trail in the reverse direction, completing the sixty mile trail back into town. The winning team should be crossing the finish line just as the crowds are arriving for the start of the second day of the other events.
The race organizers have set a maximum field entry for the first year of 12 teams. Registration will open on September 1, 2009 with starting bibs being awarded based on when enters are received. Kearney has made arrangements to have experienced sleddog racing veterinarian Dr. Ron Moore on site for mandatory pre-race checkups, during the layover and at the finish of the race.

The race organizers will be presenting a $5000.00 purse for the 120 mile race. The committee has been listening to Ontario sleddog mushers and has designed a totally no help race for the mushers. Once they leave the start line, the mushers will have to do all the work throughout the race. That means feeding dogs, caring for the dogs, themselves and any other needs to complete the race.

The Kearney Sleddog Races are taking the next step in progressing to the upper echelon of sleddog racing. Last year they added ski-joring to their race categories. This year they are stepping up to a longer distance category with the hopes of possible stretching the distance in years to come. They have the prefect location, with great snowfall, picturesque scenery and a great town to back the event.

We look forward to seeing everyone in 2010 to experience an unforgettable weekend that has to be experienced to be appreciate.

The Kearney Dog Sled Committee is a group of volunteers who work tirelessly to bring this unique weekend together. If you are interested in volunteering on February 5,6,and 7th 2010 please contact us.

Please visit often for updates.

Prepared by: Jim Cunningham, Race Marshal, Centreton, Ontario, Canada. & Kearney Dog Sled Race Committee Chair Lisa Houliston
 
To contact us, please email k-dogsled@hotmail.com