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WOLFTRACK CLASSIC

Mushing madness

Area is sled dog central this weekend for WolfTrack Classic race, events

Posted 2/26/16

REGIONAL – Put dozens of mushers, scores of dogs, 200 volunteers, and a thousand winter sports enthusiasts together and mix them all up. The result is the WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race this …

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WOLFTRACK CLASSIC

Mushing madness

Area is sled dog central this weekend for WolfTrack Classic race, events

Posted

REGIONAL – Put dozens of mushers, scores of dogs, 200 volunteers, and a thousand winter sports enthusiasts together and mix them all up. The result is the WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race this weekend in Ely and Tower.

“As in the past, we are expecting an exciting and entertaining race,” said race director Ellen Cashman. “Our Steger Mukluks WolfTrack Classic is known for its scenic north woods terrain and unrelenting hills that test the mettle of mushers and dogs.”

This year’s running of the WolfTrack Classic features two races, both starting in Ely. The 10-dog race was cancelled, according to organizers, because of a lack of sufficient registration and interest. The $7,000 race purse will be split entirely between the eight-dog and six-dog races.

Registration has been slow as mushers wait to see what kind of weather they will be facing on Sunday, but many teams added their names to the list early this week. Racers range in age from a 22-year-old college student to several 60-something retirees. Most of them are from Minnesota, but a couple teams are from Wisconsin. At least one Canadian musher is signed up so far.

As of Wednesday, there were 11 teams registered for the six-dog race and 10 teams registered for the eight-dog race. “We are aware of at least six teams that are planning on registering at the vet checks,” Cashman said.

Ely has a long history of recreational mushing from the early 1970s. During that time, Ely was proclaimed the “sled dog capital of America.” Ely supported many sled dog competitions and attracted hundreds of dog teams and mushing celebrities from around the world.

Ely’s sled dog races were paused in the 1990s and the passion was rekindled in 2008 with the WolfTrack Classic. Prize money has steadily increased and last year, one of Ely’s premier winter apparel businesses, Steger Mukluks and Moccasins of Ely, joined the fun as premier sponsor of the event. “The WolfTrack Board is very excited for this continued partnership and Steger Mukluks’ support of the race,” Cashman said.

The six-dog, 30-mile route runs from Ely and finishes in Tower. The eight-dog, 50-mile race turns around near Bear Head Lake State Park and finishes in Ely.

The races are only part of the activities in Ely on WolfTrack weekend.

All sled dogs are required to have a veterinary exam prior to the race to qualify as fit for competition. Race fans can meet the dogs and their owners during the vet check at the lower parking lot of Vermilion Community College on Saturday, Feb. 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“The vet checks draw large crowds, as this is a great chance for spectators to meet the human and canine competitors,” Cashman said.  The Vermilion Community College Wilderness Club will provide food, snacks and hot beverages for sale inside the VCC west wing during the vet checks. Restrooms are also available. “This is a free family event, dress warm and don’t forget to bring your camera,” she said.

The 2016 Steger Mukluk WolfTrack Classic Lasagna Dinner will be held Saturday, Feb. 27 from 4-7 p.m. at the  Ely Senior Center, 27 South 1st Avenue East.

“Everyone can enjoy homemade lasagna, salad, dessert and beverages with the mushers, board members and race volunteers,” Cashman said. “The WolfTrack Store and supporting sponsors will be on hand with their goods for display and sale.”

The Musher meeting starts at 6:30 p.m., with the 2016 WolfTrack Classic Bib Presentations to follow at 7 p.m.

The main event

Races begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 28 at the softball fields on Old Airport Road and State Highway 1 in Ely.

“Spectators can cheer on all of the teams as they start an exciting day of racing,” Cashman said. “ Arrive early, meet the mushers and their canine athletes, and stake out a good spot to watch all the action.”

Race teams will be in the starting area by 7:30 a.m. Sunday morning. The first dog team leaves the start line at exactly 9 a.m., followed by subsequent teams every two minutes. Once the eight-dog teams start racing, the six-dog teams will follow.

“The race start is a great photo opportunity, so bring your cameras,” she said.  “And we still need volunteers for race start dog crews.”

Spectator Tip: Catch the action at the Ely start and then head to Bear Head Lake State Park to watch the teams coming across the lake.  “We are loving the fabulous new trail shelter, with the toasty soapstone stove and big windows to watch the race,” Cashman said.  “Cheer on the teams, and tuck into the shelter when you want to warm up. Don’t forget your state park permit. Bear Head State Park has requested that only emergency personnel and race staff be present at the two state park road crossings. This is because of the very limited room for parking at the road crossing.”

Spectators can watch the race at various points along the trail. Good race viewing areas include:

‰ Hwy 21 - From Hwy 169 in Ely - Take Hwy 21 toward Babbitt driving one mile to road crossing.  Park on the road shoulder, you may need to walk a little to the road crossing;

‰Thompson Farm Road - From Tower, travel approximately 2.1 miles east on Hwy 169.  Turn right (south) and continue until trail intersects;

‰Junction Road, east of Tower in Soudan, on Hwy 169/1 at mile marker 265 - Go south on Center Road, take a right on South Street to Junction Road. It is 0.6 miles on Junction Road to first crossing, On Hwy 169/1 at mile marker 264, you will see Junction Road crossing to the south a short distance away. It is across from N. 2nd Street, or if you were at the other Junction Road crossing it is 0.6 miles west from the first one.

The six-dog race will finish at the Tower Civic Center between noon and 3 p.m. The city of Tower opens the Civic Center early Sunday providing a place for spectators to warm up and get some food.  “Volunteers from Tower and city officials are planning a fun and festive atmosphere for everyone,” she said. 

The eight-dog race will finish at the starting gate in Ely between 1-4 p.m. “Our best guess is the first team will cross the finish line sometime around 1:30 p.m., but, show up early in case we are wrong,” Cashman said.

A race awards ceremony will begin at around 4 p.m. at the Ely Boathouse Brew Pub and Restaurant, 47 E. Sheridan St. The results of the six-dog race will be announced first, followed by the eight-dog race results.

“The Boathouse provides good food and they brew their own beer,” Cashman said. “What a great way to end an exciting day of racing.”

To learn more about the Steger WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race, visit www.wolf- trackclassic.com.

Meet the Mushers

2016 WolfTrack Classic registrants as of Wednesday

Eight-Dog race team registrants

Colleen Wallin, Two Harbors

Mike Hoff, 36, Silver Bay

Ward Wallin, 54, Two Harbors

Rhonda Heerschap, 34, Nolalu, Ontario, Canada 

Adam Treeful, 38, Grand Marais 

Dusty Klaven, 27, Togo

Krystal Hudachek, 31, Cornucopia, Wis.

Mel Mickelson, 64, Nashwaulk

Ryan Anderson, 34, Ray

Scott Olson, 49, Cook

Six-Dog race team registrants

Andrea Williams, 33, Hovland

Darcy Stanley-Nord, 45, Milaca

Scott Edgett, 55, Babbitt

Linus Meyer, 63, Melrose

Neal Seeger, 54, Detroit Lakes

Claire Hendricks, 22, Ely

Al Krause, 38, Washburn, Wis.

Julie Schmelzer, 53, Kimball 

Ann Stead, 65, Duluth

Arlene Duff, 51, Togo

Andrea DeBoer, 36, Grand Marais