‘Woof’ Creek Sled & Skijor Races coming

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Rocky Mountain Sled Dog Club President Michael Sullivan came down from Conifer this past weekend with his sled dog team to test out various routes of the six mile course at Rio Grande Club. Courtesy photos

SOUTH FORK— South Fork is set to host its very first sled dog races this President’s Weekend, Feb. 16 & 17 at the Rio Grande Club & Resort. This two-day event, open to the public on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 9 a.m., will feature roughly 15-20 entrants from the Rocky Mountain Sled Dog Club looking to compete for $2,000 in awards in multiple heats on a six-mile course beginning and ending at the Rio Grande Club & Resort.
Open to all, attendees to the sled dog races can view multiple portions of the course from the clubhouse parking lot and are encouraged to come and enjoy complimentary hot cocoa while cheering on their favorite dog sled teams. There will be multiple heats ranging from one to six miles. Saturday’s races will feature a $12 chili buffet available from 11-1 p.m. Sunday’s races will have a $15 Sunday brunch buffet available from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. during which the winners will be announced.
The “Woof” Creek Sled Dog & Skijor Races are weather and snow-dependent, but no matter the snow pack, there will be a dog sled demonstration and clinic for all attendees to enjoy.
Saturday evening, the Rio Grande Club will host a “Dinner with the Mushers” where attendees can enjoy a $20 lasagna buffet, live music and rub elbows with the mushers after the first day’s events. Reservations for the musher’s dinner on Saturday evening are highly recommended, please call 719-873-1995. South Fork is hoping dog lovers of all varieties have a good time and to be able to bring this event back again next year.
Volunteers for both races will meet on Friday, Feb. 15 at 5:30 p.m. at Two Rivers BBQ for assignments and information on how to be a dog handler on race day. Racers will meet at 6 p.m. for registration and packet pick-up.
This event is open to the public. Official race dogs only, no pets please. For more information on the event, please call 719-873-1995 or visit the Rio Grande Club’s Facebook page for the most up to date information leading up to the event.
“The dogs love to run and really enjoy the energy of the crowd.” – Michael Sullivan, Rocky Mountain Dog Sled Club President