Sled dog races are set to go this coming weekend in Crutwell. (submitted photo/Dave Rondeau)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Ready set, go

Crutwell ready to host annual sled dog race

Jan 3, 2020 | 3:36 PM

The Hamlet of Crutwell are gearing up for their annual sled dog races.

This weekend the community will be hosting racers coming from as far as Manitoba and British Columbia. Competitors will be facing off in a range of races from single to 10-dog classes. The length of the track will also vary from half a mile to 12 miles.

(submitted photo/Dave Rondeau)

Dave Rondeau, who is helping to organize the races said the event is an important one for the Métis community from a cultural and historic standpoint.

“It was canoes in the summer and dog sleds in the wintertime, there were no highways, there was no cars, trucks,” he said.

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In this spirit organizers will be putting on a traditional Métis dinner which will feature folk music.

Looking forward to this weekend Rondeau said organizers are feeling good about the conditions, though they wouldn’t mind getting some more snow. He added colder conditions are the best ones for the dogs as it is what they are used to.

“We’re happy with the weather conditions that we have,” he said.

Rondeau said the weather tends to play a big role in terms of the people who come out, as in years where conditions are colder, attendance has been lower. He added the mushers who come out to compete don’t do it to make money.

“They’re in it for the love of the game and the crowds,” he said.

(Submitted photo/Dave Rondeau)

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn