Attending a Dryland Sled Dog Race? Here's everything you need to know!

We’ve talked a lot about fall dryland racing and a little about winter sled dog races, even though most were cancelled this year. But did you know there are also spring dryland sled dog races?

There aren’t quite as many spring races as there are fall races, and we haven’t competed in any spring races yet, but they are out there. If you’re interested in seeing sled dogs in action, here is a list (probably not complete) of races that we know of:

• March 23: Black Locust Dryland Race, Clinton, Illinois

• March 23-24: MUSH Winter Blast, Lake, Michigan

• April 6: Fort Custer Dryland Fun Run, Augusta, Michigan

• April 13-14: The Farmer’s Loop Sled Dog Race, Vermontville, Michigan

• April 20-21: Spring Fest Dryland Derby, Mancelona, Michigan

• April 27-28: Sucker River Mud Bath, Grand Marais, Michigan

So now that you know when and where some of the spring dryland races are, we are going to answer some common questions we’ve heard in regard to these types of races. Of course this is only based on our own experiences as both spectators and mushers in dryland races, so it may not be all encompassing or true for every specific race venue or race team.

What kind of races are these?

All of the races listed above are sprint races on dry land. This means they’re short, fast races and a lot of times run on grass or dirt. Typically, the 4, 6, or even 8 dog teams run a longer trail, roughly 3-5 miles long. 2 dog events can be 1.5 to 3 miles long, while 1 dog events are usually 2 miles or less. Each team is out on the trail for 15 minutes or less.

There can be professional classes for the serious competitors, sportsman classes for amateurs, registered breed classes for specific northern breeds, and junior classes. Races can be run on a rig, a bike, a scooter/kickbike, or on foot.

Not all races are sanctioned by the International Sled Dog Racing Association, but the ones that are can be found at isdra.org. A lot of times dryland races are advertised through events on Facebook by the local race organizers.

I really like sprint races because you’re able to see the whole process of before, during, and after a race for race teams. At several sprint races, spectators are allowed in the dog yard to watch mushers feed, groom, harness, work on equipment, etc.

Sprint races are nice because you can have a great view of the start and finish lines, and even vantage points for other places around the trail depending on the location. For rigs, bikes, and scooters, it will be a single start, with a minute or two between each team. Canicross tends to be a mass start.

What should you bring to a sled dog race?

With dryland races taking place during fall and spring months, the weather can be rather unpredictable. It’s always a good idea to pack clothing for all types of weather and layer up for the races. In my opinion, it’s better to pack too much than not enough. You can always remove layers if you get too warm, but if you didn’t bring enough gear to stay warm when it’s cold out, it could make for a miserable weekend. The same goes for rain gear. It’s better to have it and not need it than to not have it and need it.

Definitely bring a phone and/or camera. There are so many cute dogs that you’ll want to take pictures of at the start and along the race trail. And potentially some selfies with your favorite dogs and mushers during down time.

Having cash is also a must. A lot of races have concessions or food trucks that only take cash. Some of the local restaurants near the races may only take cash as well, for instance the School House in Mountain, Wisconsin. Not only for food purposes, you may also want cash for souvenirs.

Here is one important thing you SHOULD NOT bring to a sled dog race - your own pet dog(s). Pets are not allowed at races. They can be very distracting to the race teams.

What happens prior to the race?

During sprint race weekends, some mushers arrive the night before the races begin, but a lot of them wait and show up early the morning of the first race day. This gives them time to park their vehicles and trailers, work on equipment, and take care of the dogs before the musher meeting and races begin.

This is a very busy time for mushers. They likely have a routine and don’t want any distractions. Do not pet the dogs while they are eating or drinking. Not only can it be distracting when they need to eat or hydrate, but you never know when a dog may be territorial about their food. Also - do not feed the dogs any treats, especially prior to a race. When musher chores are done, they may be open to answering questions and may allow you to pet some dogs. Always ask before petting.

You may see multiple humans working around a team of sled dogs. They are called handlers and may help with the dog chores or equipment, even though they may not be the one to drive the team in the race.

All mushers are called to a meeting prior to the races starting to go over rules, safety, and answer any last minute questions.

What happens in the final minutes leading up to a race?

Often times, mushers will wait until the last few minutes before their chute time to harness the dogs, and it can be pretty chaotic. At this point, the dogs who are running the race have already been dropped (taken out) from the trailer to do their business. The dogs will be harnessed up during this time and they start getting very excited because they know it’s almost time to run.

Maybe a minute or so before the chute time, the dog team is hooked up to the line and handlers help assist everyone into the start chute. At this point the dogs are screaming and jumping to go. If there are not enough handlers available, the musher may ask for volunteers. However, do not ever grab a collar or harness unless you were asked to do so. I’ve seen several times where volunteers and even seasoned handlers have gotten tangled up during this time and gotten dragged or fallen down.

Once a team is in the start chute, a handler or two may stay in the chute with them to hold on to the lead dogs, while someone else may help hold the brakes or hold the rig back. Meanwhile, the race officials may use this time to make sure the musher has required gear like a bib, a helmet, and a snub line for the larger teams.

When the countdown begins, the dogs are more excited than ever. The nerves/adrenaline/excitement may kick in for the musher as well. When the countdown is over, the dogs and musher fly off down the trail.

What happens during a race?

Spectators are often at the start chute cheering on the dogs and mushers, and taking photos and videos if they want to. When the dogs take off down the trail, spectators may have chances to see them at other spots along the trail, or may head over to the finish line, eagerly awaiting their return.

If you’ve wandered out along the trail to watch the races or get photos, be sure to stay off to the side of the trail and keep still and quiet if a team passes you. You don’t want to jump around or scream suddenly when the dogs (or musher) are not expecting it.

Please do not touch a dog team during a race. If you witness a tangle or a wreck, and it looks like the musher needs help, always ask first before touching anything. Some assistance on the trail is considered illegal help and could disqualify a team.

More often than not, if a musher does request help, they may be more inclined for you to hold the brakes on their rig/bike while they help the dogs rather than having a stranger mess with unfamiliar dogs and lines of tangled rope.

You may remember from a recent newsletter that I was yelling for help during a race after my scooter became un-rideable after a wreck. Because of the help I received, I was disqualified from racing that event the next day. It was well worth it though for my safety and Blizzard’s!

At the finish line, dogs and mushers love hearing the cheers and encouragement as they round the final corner and climb up the final hill through the finish. This often makes for good photos as well, with happy, slobbery dogs, sometimes covered in mud.

What happens after the race is over?

Typically, the dogs will run all the way back to the dog truck they came from after they cross the finish line and handlers are waiting to catch the dogs, and give them water or a mixture of food and water.

Mushers a lot of times have a post-race routine just like they do before the race. It is good to keep your distance while they take care of the dogs and put the equipment away. In some cases, they may even have to get a new rig and more dogs ready if they are running other events the same day. If that is the case, they will go through the same routine again.

If the musher is not racing again soon and the dogs are taken care of, the musher may be open to more questions or introducing you to dogs. If you brought a treat for the dogs and the musher says it’s ok, this could also be a time to provide that treat.

After the second day of racing is over, there will be an awards ceremony. Awards are often given to the top 3 places in each event. Raffle prizes can also be given away during this time.

When the awards are done, mushers finish packing up all their dogs and belongings and start heading home.

After Doty’s Dusty Dog Dryland Race in particular, we have stuck around to talk to people we didn’t get the chance to a whole lot during the races. With Riley and I each running two events, plus other people in our group running multiple events, it tends to be pretty busy. We don’t mean to ignore anyone or be short with anyone, so we love connecting with everyone after the races. Whether that is standing around the fire at the race site or at dinner at a local restaurant, it’s always a fun time.

Sometimes there is also an opportunity after the races for spectators to try mushing. We’ve let people use our scooter to go on a little joy run with a dog at the end of the day to experience the feel of dog power. This is also the time to demonstrate things like how to harness a dog.

Hopefully this helps provide a little more behind-the-scenes info on what a dryland race weekend is like for us, and some helpful tips for spectators who are interested in attending an event! Again, not every race or every musher/dog team may be the same or feel the same way, but this has been our experience over the last few years from both a musher’s standpoint and a spectator’s viewpoint.

If we didn’t hit on something you were curious about or if you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to comment on this newsletter if you’re reading online or reply to the email!

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