Preeceville gone to the dogs

Crowds gathered at different parts of highway 49 on the way into Preeceville on Saturday. Some of those crowds were standing along the road bundled in their snow gear for the -15 degree day. Others were in their vehicles, slowly inching along the highway.

Speeding along the side of the road are dogs, pulling behind them their mushers and sleds, which is what brought the cheering crowds.

It was the 18th annual Preeceville & Disctrict Mushers Rendezvous last weekend.

The three-day event kicked off on Friday with a talent show. On Saturday, the races began  with the Ten Dog Classic, which is 22 miles long and the longest race offered at the event. Following that was the six-dog race (ten miles), and a one-dog race for children.

The Ten Dog Classic and the six-dog race were held on both Saturday and Sunday, with the racers’ times added together from both days. The best overall time comes out on top.

There were 21 racers in the Ten Dog Classic and 26 in the six-dog race.

The 22-mile race took mushers between one hour and 15 minutes to one hour and 28 minutes to complete. The 10-mile race took mushers between 30-40 minutes to complete.

Why it all started

Shelby Cook is one of the members of the organizing committee for the event.

“The original reason that the mushers rendezvous committee was started was because of our hospital,” said Cook. “We needed some upgrades and a lot of work had to be done to it. We raised just over $100,000 for the hospital in the first couple of years (of the race).”

Cook said once they raised enough for the hospital, the committee started looking for new organizations or venues around town for the money that they raise at the rendezvous to go to.

“We’ve picked different places each year. This year, it’s going to our three community complexes – the Endeavour Community Hall, the Sturgis Community Hall and the Preschool Community Hall,” she said.

Cook said most of the work for the weekend comes from hard-working volunteers.

The racing

So why is the Preeceville & District Mushers Rendezvous so successful?

“I think it’s because it’s so unique,” said Cook.

She also mentioned that it acts as a stepping stone for a lot of mushers who go on to compete in a bigger race, just a few weeks away.

The Pas World Championship Dog Races take place over the Valentine’s Day weekend in The Pas, Manitoba.

“The mushers can race this race, see where they’re at and see how they’re doing, see how their dogs are doing and how much more training they need to do before they get to The Pas,” she said. “The Pas is the nitty-gritty. That’s where everyone hashes it out and you find out who’s the world champion.”

Donny Poulin is one of those mushers. He’s from The Pas, and he’s currently in training mode for the World Championships. He took part in the Ten Dog Classic in Preeceville last weekend.

“The World Championship is 35 miles,” he said. “I’m probably over-trained for this race a little bit. But it’s always a really good trail and it’s always a good race to get (the dogs) in for a nice little warm up.”

Poulin said they start training in September.

He started coming to the Preeceville race when it started 18 years ago, and has only missed two.

“It’s always a good time here, and I always enjoy coming back,” said Poulin.

Poulin and his dogs finished in eighth place overall, with a two-day total time of 2:43:13:59.

The winner of the Ten Dog Classic was Anthony Beck, who had a total time of 2:32:30:58.

The winner of the six-dog Fanny Houle with a two-day total time of 1:02:35:83.

The top finishers of each race receive cash prizes. The highest award is $1200, which goes to the winner of the Ten Dog Classic.