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They're going to the dogs in Kearney

17th Annual Kearney dog sled races committee News Release ******************** Kearney – About 80 dog sled teams, a record number, are expected in Kearney for the town’s 17th annual dog sled races during the second weekend of February, vying for a to
Kate Adams
17th Annual Kearney dog sled races committee
News Release

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Kearney – About 80 dog sled teams, a record number, are expected in Kearney for the town’s 17th annual dog sled races during the second weekend of February, vying for a total $15,000 in prize money and bragging rights.

Kearney, nestled in the beautiful Almaguin Highlands, is located on highway 518 east, 15 minutes east of Highway 11 and a half hour north of Huntsville.

The population of the picturesque town of 800 people grows
dramatically every February as dog sledders and spectators from across North America come to take part.

Participants from Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec, the United States and Jamaica will mush along the snowy trails throughout Kearney and the western edge of Algonquin Park.

Festivities start Friday evening, February 11th with a family skate and bonfire with free hot dogs and hot chocolate at the Kearney Lions Park and conclude Sunday at 4:30 with a spaghetti dinner following prize presentations.

For the second year running, the only120-mile unassisted overnight dog sled race in Ontario will start at 5 p.m. Saturday and conclude between 7 a.m. and 12:00pm Sunday.

“There’s nothing else like it,” says race organizer Lisa Houliston, who explains that after racing 60 miles there will be a mandatory 4 hour layover to rest and feed the dogs, which will be open to public view. “The 12 teams will then set out again, based on their arrival times at the rest area, to complete the last 60 miles.”

Houliston adds that past competitors in the overnight race include experienced teams that have participated in the “John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon” in Duluth, Minnesota, and the “Can Am International” event based in Fort Kent, Maine as well as a team that has participated in Alaska’s famous Iditarod.

Over the years, the trails have been continually improved to accommodate the teams and allow more spectators a better view. The Kearney Dog Sled races consist of five main races, including 1 and 2 Dog Ski Joring, all sanctioned by the Ontario Federation of Sled Dog Sports. In excess of 2,000 people are expected to attend.

Further details are available at www.kearneydogsled.com.

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