By paNOW Staff

More mushing fun at Tobin Lake

Mar 4, 2011 | 11:17 AM

The Canadian Challenge may be over, but the mushers aren’t going home yet.

The Torch River Run is underway at Tobin Lake and many of the mushers who took part in the Canadian Challenge at the end of February have stayed to run the 200 mile, or 322 kilometre, wilderness endurance race.

The first year of the race was 2010 and Lyle Swaney, co-ordinator of the race, said it was a great success.

“(The run is) a combination of the two races which is very successful… (and so) we had an excellent turnout,” said Swaney.

But Swaney said, this year will be even better than last because they have 20 per cent more mushers.

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This year they have 17 long distance teams and approximately 20 teams for the sprint races.

Many of the sprint racers are from around Saskatchewan, but several of the distance mushers are from as far away as Ontario and Ohio.

Swaney said this is because many of the competitors in the Canadian Challenge will stay in Saskatchewan for the week between the two events.

Some of these Mushers include Karen Ramstead, Jillian Taylor, and Stefan DeMarie who placed third in this year’s Canadian Challenge.

He also said they will likely get more spectators as well.

“People definitely enjoyed themselves and liked it last year so, other people are starting to come.”

The long distance run began Mar. 3 at Christopher Lake and will end Mar. 5 at the resort on Tobin Lake.

In addition to the distance race finish line the resort will be hosting many other winter activities Mar. 5 & 6 like jam-can curling, ice fishing, free dogsled rides for the kids and sprint races on the Lake.

lschick@panow.com