The dash has been held annually since 2017, with a break in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Racers will use carts, scooters and bikes that are pulled by sled dogs. Some participants will run while harnessed to sled dogs in a sport called canicross, which involves cross-country running with dogs.

“Typically they look like regular sled dogs, like what people are used to at the sled dog races in February,” President of the Upper Peninsula Sled Dog Association Darlene Walch said. “The difference is these dogs are going to go quite a bit faster because they are going much shorter distances … They (mushers) will hook up their dogs up to carts, scooters and they peel out and go as fast as they can.”

The event will involve multiple classes of participants racing in 1-mile and 2.23-mile events. The event has 29 entries for participants, Walch said, noting she is expecting more to register.

From left, Darlene Walch, president of the U.P. Sled Dog Association, stands with Erica Tieppo, chair of the Dryland Dash, and Tim Trowbridge near the Negaunee Township Hall, where the Dryland Dash will be held on Oct. 9 and 10. (Journal photo by Katie Segula)

“So if you can imagine dogs running 18-20 miles an hour, it does not take them very long to run one or two miles.” said Walch “… They loop ar

ound and the finish line comes right back to where the start is. So it’s very convenient for spectators to watch along the trail or at the start/finish and see both within a matter of minutes.”

All racers will run on both Friday and Saturday and the racer with the best combined time wins.

The races start at 10 a.m. on both days with single starts for the different classes.

Walch reminds spectators to be respectful of dog teams.

“If you want to chat with a musher or possibly pet their dogs, please ask,” Walch said. “It does get a little hectic as mushers are hooking up their teams so providing some distance for them is helpful but it is a very spectator-friendly event.”

Kate Dehlin of Negaunee strikes a pose with her Tamaskan dogs on Wednesday. The UP200 Dryland Dash will be held at the Negaunee Township Hall on Oct. 9 and 10. (Journal photo by Katie Segula)

This is a free event for spectators. Participants can register through Oct. 6.

The 1-mile events are:

≤ Men’s and women’s canicross, mass starts

≤ Jr. canicross, mass start

≤ One-dog bikejor, single start

≤ One-dog scooter, single start

≤ Junior wheeled, single start

The 2.23-mile events are:

≤ Two-dog bikejor, single start

≤ Two-dog scooter, single start

≤ Six-dog rig, single start

≤ Four-dog rig, single start

To register or for more information, visit http://www.up200.org/race-info/2021-dryland-dash/

Katie Segula can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is ksegula@miningjournal.net.