Clear Lake State Park Hosting Sled Dog Races in January and February

[Skunk]

Clear Lake State Park Hosting Sled Dog Races in January and February

Contact:  Greg Kinser 989-785-4388, Agency: Natural Resources

Jan. 12, 2010

Clear Lake State Park near Atlanta will host two "GO-Get Outdoors" sled dog racing events this year. Race weekends are scheduled for Jan. 23-24 and Feb. 20-21. Both races will be timed events and open to both participants and spectators.

This year's racing opportunities will include the annual Mid-Union Sled Haulers (MUSH) race in January, and an International Sled Dog Racing Association (ISDRA) sanctioned pro-class race in February, held through Great Lakes Sled Dog Association (GLSDA). The schedule of events is as follows:

Saturday Jan. 23:

11 a.m.      3 Dog Class

12 noon      5 Dog Class

1:30 p.m.    7 Dog Class

2 p.m.        Skijoring (dogs pulling skiers)

2:30 p.m.    Kiddy Runs

3 p.m.        Weight Pull

Events on Sunday, Jan. 24, will occur in the same order, except one hour earlier. There will not be a weight pull event on Sunday.

Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 20 and 21:

9:30 a.m.      8 dog class

11:30 a.m.    6 dog class

1:30 p.m.     4 dog class

This year's racing opportunities will include a pro-class race, held through GLSDA, featuring an 8.9-mile eight-dog class trail with three-quarter mile of head-on passing. For more information or to enter a race, contact Matt Woudenburg, the race coordinator, at 989-785-4295 for entry details prior to the race weekend. Late registrations may not be available.

Events will be held at the Clear Lake State Park day use area, located on County Road 622 off M-33, nine miles north of Atlanta. Racers will stage in the picnic area.

For more information about this event, the park, accessibility, or persons needing accommodations to attend this event, contact the park supervisor at 989-785-4388 (TTY/TDD711 Michigan Relay Center for the hearing impaired), or visit www.michigan.gov/clearlake.

All motor vehicles entering a state park or recreation area must display a 2010 Motor Vehicle Permit, available for purchase at the entrance. Cost is $24 for a resident annual and $6 for a resident daily. A non-resident annual is $29 and a non-resident daily is $8.

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10371_10402-229578--,00.html

[J. J. Magnum]

We will be in Atlanta (Clear Lake) on January 23!  Got our reservations and eager pups ready to go...

[J. J. Magnum]

Well we have arrived at Atlanta and the race is on for Saturday.  Ruhl will race at 11 am. 

[Skunk]

Best of Luck J.J. and Ruhl!!!

[J. J. Magnum]

Race in Atlanta was exciting.  Very fast course (translate that to mean lots of ice here and there) it was kinda like NASCAR according to Ruhl.  Lots of collisions on passing which kept everyone on their toes.  Ruhl came in 6th in his division (after a couple of collisions on the trail).  The race for Sunday was cancelled due to weather (high humidity and high temp which is bad for the dogs) so no chance to improve his position with a cleaner run.  Good experience though and a beautiful park to run in.  Can't wait to go back this summer for some fishing...

[Skunk]

Thanks for the report J. J. Give Ruhl and the team a Big Congrats from us.