The Northern Heritage Run will highlight the Samoyed, Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute northern breeds, although other dog sled teams are welcome to participate, said Landers. The race is for amateurs, which means no money prizes will be awarded. However, trophies will be given to the top Samoyed team competing, top Siberian Husky team, top Malamute team and the top open team competing. A skijoring class will be offered at the event.

Professional sled racers are encouraged to compete but will not be eligible for trophies.

Proceeds raised from the event will go toward the Abby Fund at Heartland Animal Rescue Team and the Northland Arboretum. The Abby Fund is named after Abby Larson, a Baxter student who initiated the fund when she was in fifth grade. The fund was created to provide veterinary services for puppies and dogs in need for whom no person is taking responsibility. It covers Crow Wing, Cass and Aitkin counties.

Roger and Pam Landers of Nisswa own 11 Samoyeds, including six 5-week-old puppies. Pam Landers is chair of the working program for the Samoyed Club of America, a national organization.

The race classes are: two dogs, two miles; three to four dogs, four miles; five to six dogs, four miles; and one- to two-dog skijor, two miles.

If the snowpack is unsuitable, Landers said racers will use non-motorized carts and scooters. Non-snow events that will be held if there is no snow may include a Cani-cross race, in which owners run with their dogs in harness.

The weekend also will include a weight pull, a Sourdough sponsor race and a HART mini-mush for children and their pets.

To participate in the mini-mush, parents should bring their children, sleds and medium to large dogs to the race start line at about 1 p.m. Feb. 23. It will be about 150 feet in length. Dog harnesses should be available for those who do not have one. For information about the mini-mush and to enter, contact Lowell Carlson at HART at 829-4141.

The Sourdough sponsor race allows area businesses a chance to "rent" a team and musher to compete. The business may elect a person associated with their business to help the musher pack the sled bag, hook up the team and drive the sled. A traveling trophy for the fastest team will be available to be displayed at the winning business for the year.

The event is free for those who would like to go and watch the dogs and their drivers compete. Landers said most of the action will take place in the parking lot at the Northland Arboretum so spectators will need to park outside of the arboretum entrance. She requested that spectators, however, bring an 8-pound bag of dog food or other donations for HART since it is a fund-raiser for the humane society.

The Northern Heritage Run is co-sponsored by the Samoyed Club of America, Samoyed Association of Minneapolis and St. Paul, HART, Northland Arboretum, Free Spirit Outfitters and Norlake Dock Service.

The event is a Northstar Sled Dog Club-sanctioned race.

For more information, contact Landers at (218) 568-5016 or via e-mail at pamlan@tds.net or visit the race Web site at http://northern_heritage.tripod.com.