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WolfTrack Classic features plenty of sled dog racing

Jodi Summit
Posted 2/20/15

REGIONAL- The 2015 Steger WolfTrack Classic promises plenty of dog action in both Ely and Tower. Activities begin on Saturday, Feb. 21, with three different races on Sunday, Feb. 22.

The seventh …

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Welcome, mushers

WolfTrack Classic features plenty of sled dog racing

Posted

REGIONAL- The 2015 Steger WolfTrack Classic promises plenty of dog action in both Ely and Tower. Activities begin on Saturday, Feb. 21, with three different races on Sunday, Feb. 22.

The seventh annual running of the WolfTrack Classic will feature three races. All start at the Ely Softball Complex off Hwy. 1 on the east side of town.

The general public can further enjoy the charm of these canine superstars at the vet check on Saturday. Each participating team’s dogs get a quick check-up by area vets who volunteer during the event. This is a great opportunity to get up close with these canine athletes. “Pre-spectating” is encouraged. Over 25 teams have registered to date. Visitors can stop by the dog trucks at the vet check in the lower parking lot of Vermilion Community College from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The chili feed at the Ely Senior Center on Saturday from 4-7 p.m. offers another chance to support the WolfTrack Classic. It includes a social hour and dinner, and everyone is welcome to watch the mushers’ bib presentation. “Musherabilia” will be available for purchase at both the chili feed and vet check.

Race day action

The first teams will leave the start chute at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22. The 10-dog, 65-mile competition departs from Ely, loops back just outside of Tower and returns to the finish line where the race began. Participants in the 65-mile race include this year’s Beargrease winner Ryan Anderson, from Ray, and Ely veterinarian Jennifer Freking, from Finland.

The 8-dog, 50-mile race will follow immediately after the 10-dog teams. This competition is the newest race class this year. Teams will turn around beyond Bear Head Lake then head home to Ely. As of Feb. 16, 12 8-dog teams were registered to race.

After a short break of about 10 minutes, the 6-dog, 30-mile race will blast out of Ely and finish in Tower. As of Feb. 16, 16 6-dog teams were registered for the race.

For safety’s sake, spectators are asked to not bring their own dogs to the event areas or along the trail. The race teams will have on their game faces and be focusing on the competition. Outside dogs can create a distraction.

History

Ely has a long mushing history from the early 1970s, pre-dating even the Iditarod. WolfTrack Classic President Theo Theobald said she’s spoken with many people who remember the energy and excitement of 140 dog teams racing down Ely’s main drag in the North American Sweepstakes.

“Locals want to see that tradition continue in whatever form it takes. I also think it’s important to keep bringing creative and unique events to Ely, especially in winter. Not a lot of towns have a sled dog race,” she said.

Theobald also explained the pleasure in running sled dogs.

“I enjoy working with the dogs, seeing their passion to pull and how training pays off. If you’ve ever been on a team, mushing can be like that, when it all clicks and everyone is working together, or not. It’s just magical to glide across a snow-covered frozen lake in the winter. To spectators, sometimes the dogs are noisy, but it’s all silent business when they get going.”

To learn more about the Steger WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race, or for information regarding how you can get involved, visit wolftrackclassic.com.