Sled Dog Days returns to valley

Thirteen teams have already signed up to run in the third annual Flathead Sled Dog Days races in the Whitefish Range north of Whitefish.

Dog mushers from Canada, Utah, Montana, Colorado, Washington, and Idaho are scheduled to leave the Olney Trailhead, at mile marker 145.5 across U.S. 93 from the Olney turn-off, on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 9 and 10, starting at 9:30 a.m.

The public is invited to cheer the mushers as they leave the starting chute and watch them return to the finish line which is the same spot. An awards ceremony will be held on the race site immediately after the last of the race teams finishes.

There is a new added class this year. Organizers will hold four-dog, 6-8 dog and a 10-12 dog classes.

This year's race is dedicated to Whitefish veterinarian Hugh Rogers, who was killed in an airplane crash earlier this year. Rogers was instrumental in helping Flathead Sled Dog Days get started and was the head vet for the previous two years of the event.

Jack Beckstrom, of Olney, will once again be the race marshal. He has raced sled dogs for more than 30 years, operates a dog-sled and equipment business online and has raced most distance races in the U.S. and Canada. He was instrumental in bringing distance racing to Montana.

The vet check will take place at Grouse Mountain Lodge on Friday, Jan. 8, from 1 to 3 p.m. The public and school groups are invited to visit to watch the dogs getting examinations prior to the race.

The event needs volunteers. No experience is necessary. For more information, contact Sean Hard at 881-3200 or visit online at flatheadsleddogdays.com.