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2018 Canadian Challenge underway

Feb 20, 2018 | 12:23 PM

And they’re off!

The dogs and mushers of the 2018 Canadian Challenge have left Elk Ridge and are on their way to La Ronge. There are nine mushers competing this year in the 12-dog race, which began at Elk Ridge today at noon. The dogs are expected to arrive in La Ronge tomorrow, where they’ll take a mandatory rest and be checked by a veterinarian before heading out on the Northern Loop. That loop goes through Stanley Mission, then to Grandmother’s Bay, before backtracking to the finish line in La Ronge.

Six competitors are entered in the shorter eight-dog race, which runs from Elk Ridge to La Ronge. That race will conclude tomorrow, and mushers will stay in the community until the end of the 12-dog race.

The Canadian Challenge is a qualifying race to compete in Iditarod next month in Alaska. Live updates of all the teams’ progress can be found on the Canadian Challenge website.