Sled dog races return to Inlet this weekend

The Town of Inlet will host the Adirondack Bank NYS Championship Sled Dog Races on Saturday and Sunday, February 19 and 20.

The start/finish line and spectator areas are located behind Murdock Trucking, just one-half mile down Limekiln Road.

Plenty of on-site parking will be available.

Racing begins at 9 a.m. both days.

A warming tent and trackside bonfire for spectators will be available courtesy of Adirondack Bank and Levi Lumber.

The Ole Barn Restaurant will provide a food concession.

Volunteers from the Inlet Area Business Association, the Town of Inlet, and the Inlet Barnstormers Snowmobile Club have spent weeks grooming and fencing the race course in preparation of the popular event that Inlet will host for the fourth time.

Many other individuals and organizations contribute to the cause each year, including the Inlet Highway Department who plow the parking lots and the Central Adirondack Search and Rescue Team who provide the orange vests and radios for spotters.

The course features one of the most technical tracks in the Northeast for racing sprint sled dog teams.

The races are sanctioned by International Sled Dog Racing Association (ISDRA) and the New England Sled Dog Club (NESDC) who help the community host the event.

Many of the race teams competed in the Laconia World Championship two weeks ago, and are on pace for North American points standings.

“They are coming to Inlet to race on good snow in front of thousands of frenzied wintertime fans. They are pleased with our weather and trails that are tailor-made for sled-dog racing,” said Mitch Lee, one of co-ordinators of the event.

A sponsorship-donated purse of $7,000 will be at stake for drivers in several categories, from single dog skijoring to 4-, 6-, and 8-dog sleds racing over distances ranging from a four-mile to eight- mile course.

This year’s sponsors include Adirondack Bank, Brad and Gail Damon, the Central Adirondack Association, the IABA, the Adirondack Express, Homes and Lands of the Adirondacks, and the Tamarack Café. Site host is Murdock Trucking.

Organizers are requesting a $1 donation from spectators over the age of 12 to assist with the costs of the race.

Volunteers are still needed at the start/finish line to help collect visitors fees. Also, needed are dog holders and a couple of snowmobile drivers to ferry spotters onto the course.

Anyone interested in helping out can stop by the Inlet Volunteer Emergency Services building at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 18.

To volunteer, or for more information call (315) 357-5501, or visit: Inletny.com or call 1-866- GOINLET.

 

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