Contact: Erin Johnson
Phone: (800) 447-4094
Email: erin@bayfield.org
Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race photographed by Marie KetringNearly 65 sled dog teams (that’s over 400 happy sled dogs), hailing from Michigan to Oregon are expected to participate in this year’s Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race, held Saturday, February 2nd and Sunday, February 3rd, 2013 in Bayfield, Wisconsin.
“The best thing about a sled dog race is that you can feel the excitement in the air!” says John Thiel of Wolfsong Adventures in Mushing. “The dogs love it, the mushers love it, the volunteers love it and all that energy ignites the crowd.” Thiel has been involved in the race for 17 years.
Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race photographed by Marie KetringThe Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race features an 8-dog 80 mile race, 6-dog 60 mile race, and 40 mile Sportsmen’s race, in addition to a Family run on Saturday and a Youth race on Sunday. Races begin at 10:00am on both days, with half of the total race distance completed each day. The start/finish line is located 15 miles north of downtown Bayfield at the Echo Valley Gravel Pit on Highway 13 with the course following the Sand River Trail System of Bayfield County.
The Bayfield area has received several significant rounds of snowfall in the last month. Local mushers report that many of the dogsled trails are in excellent condition with a decent base for hooking. With more snow in the next few weeks predicted, conditions for the race are on track to be very respectable.
Jim RyderThe public is welcome at the Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race. All ages are encouraged to attend and experience a bit of the energy that this exciting event exudes. Visitors can mix and mingle with the mushers during Friday evening’s Meet the Mushers spaghetti dinner at the Bayfield Lakeside Pavilion from 6:00pm-7:00pm or enjoy a presentation by Jim Ryder on Saturday evening at the Bayfield Inn at 6:00pm. Jim, a Wisconsin native, journeyed solo by dog team, 800 miles from Nenana to Nome, Alaska early in 2011, replicating the original Serum Run which follows part of the Iditarod Trail.
At the race site, spectators will enjoy a warming tent with hot food and drinks available for purchase, in addition to other retail vendors. Bonfires will be ready to warm chilly toes in between watching the dog teams start the race. Spectators can also travel to multiple check point locations for race viewing. A complete race schedule is available at bayfield.org . The Bayfield Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Bureau also offers Voluntourism packages for travelers looking to volunteer at the races while enjoying a winter vacation in the Northwoods.
Current sponsors of the 18th annual Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race are: Master Musher Sponsors; The Bayfield Inn, CF Design, Ltd, Northland College, Pinehurst Inn, Printing Plus/Screen Line, Seagull Bay Motel, Silverwaves Jewelry, Winfield Inn & Gardens, and Wolfsong Wear, Trail Support Sponsors; Xcel Energy, and Hedlyn Farm, Doggy Biscuit Sponsors; Hauser’s Bayfield Cabin and Sleep Systems International, and Sled Dog Friends; Apostle Islands Realty, the Bayfield Lions Club, and Harbor View Lodging.
For more information about the Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race and 2013 Voluntourism packages, please contact the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Bureau at (715) 779-3335.
