Preparations underway for upcoming Dryland Dash
From left: Zephyr, Noque, Fahren, Pyrite, Graphite and Vesper of Basalt Tamaskan kennel are pictured. Owner Kate Dehlin says she will not be racing this year in the Dryland Dash, but will spend time on the organization end to learn more about the race. She said the Dryland Dash is a great way to train sledding dogs for races. (Journal photo by Dreyma Beronja)
Fahren, left, and Pyrite stand beside each other at the Negaunee Township Hall on Thursday. Fahren is the mother of Pyrite and Graphite and comes from an “unplanned surprise mating,” according to Basalt Tamaskan’s website. (Journal photo by Dreyma Beronja)
Erica Tieppo of Mother North Mushing hugs 1-year-old Ronnie at the Negaunee Township Hall on Thursday. Tieppo said this will be Ronnie’s first racing season due to the cancellation of this year’s UP200 because of warm weather. (Journal photo by Dreyma Beronja)
From left: Zephyr, Noque, Fahren, Pyrite, Graphite and Vesper of Basalt Tamaskan kennel are pictured. Owner Kate Dehlin says she will not be racing this year in the Dryland Dash, but will spend time on the organization end to learn more about the race. She said the Dryland Dash is a great way to train sledding dogs for races. (Journal photo by Dreyma Beronja)
Fahren, left, and Pyrite stand beside each other at the Negaunee Township Hall on Thursday. Fahren is the mother of Pyrite and Graphite and comes from an “unplanned surprise mating,” according to Basalt Tamaskan’s website. (Journal photo by Dreyma Beronja)
Erica Tieppo of Mother North Mushing hugs 1-year-old Ronnie at the Negaunee Township Hall on Thursday. Tieppo said this will be Ronnie’s first racing season due to the cancellation of this year’s UP200 because of warm weather. (Journal photo by Dreyma Beronja)
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NEGAUNEE -- Mushers are getting ready for another dog sled race in the Upper Peninsula.
For its seventh year, the UP200's Dryland Dash will commence on Oct. 14-15 at the Negaunee Township Hall. Organizers and racers for this year's race met on Thursday to introduce the dogs and give more information on the event.
Kate Dehlin of Basalt Tamaskan kennel said she will not be racing this year but will still be active behind the scenes.
"I really think the Dryland Dash can get the community involved because you can have one or two dogs and do very well at the sport," Dehlin said. "It's very much open to the public."
Dehlin said this is the lifestyle she's had since 2011, when she bought her first dog, Zephyr.
"I've always been fascinated since I was a little kid, but I realized once you get a dog like this, they need to do something. They're working dogs and it's not fair to them to be kenneled all day."
She stressed that people should get dogs based on their own lifestyle, not just by the dog's looks.
"They don't like sitting on the couch much, they start destroying your house if you're not doing stuff with them," Dehlin joked.
Dryland Dash chairperson Tim Trowbridge said organizers are looking for more community support for the event.
"The UP200 is a distance event in the wintertime. This (Dryland Dash) is a sprint event just in the spring and the fall," Trowbridge said. "It's relatively new in the Upper Peninsula area and I'm sure there are some people who have a dog or two who would be interested."
New this year are three scholarship opportunities. These scholarships cover all the costs and fees for one race in the Dryland Dash.
"We're excited to offer these scholarships to aspiring mushers from our community," Dryland Dash committee member Meg Holeva said in a press release. "Our goal is to foster a love for sled dog racing and create opportunities for local talent to excel in this sport. This initiative aligns perfectly with our commitment to support and grow the mushing community."
New racers from the U.P. are eligible to apply. According to the press release, mushers are responsible for the race entry fee for any additional races they wish to participate in beyond the first.
"We want to get more people involved in the outdoor activities and exercising their dogs," Trowbridge said. "We have a scholarship available for new first-time Yoopers-only that we will cover the cost of their entry fee."
Racers interested in applying can submit their application to upsda.volunteer@gmail.com by Wednesday. Applications should include a brief statement explaining interest in sled dog racing, any previous experience, why they should be selected for the scholarship and the musher's contact information, including U.P. address.
According to the press release, the Dryland Dash committee will review all applications and select the three scholarship recipients based on their dedication to the sport, potential and commitment to represent the U.P. in sled dog racing.
For more information about the race, visit up200.org/race-info/dryland-dash.