Sled dogs from across the region are revving up for 30-mile runs out of Outing Saturday as part of the 29th running of the Mid-Minnesota 150 Sled Dog Race.
Roughly 20 teams will be cutting a trail from the Village Inn in Outing heading cross country to downtown Remer, according to race organizer Dan Levno. Levno and co-coordinator Al Larson expect good conditions for racers and great conditions for spectators.
While temperatures will be a bit warm for the dogs, Levno said the snow conditions are good thanks to about 7 inches of snow that fell earlier this week across the trail.
The six-dog race begins at noon Saturday and the eight-dog race will start at 1 p.m., with sled dog teams released every two minutes.
Levno said the race has evolved from its start in the 1980s. It was once a 150-mile race. With less access to quality trails and with no purse offered to the top racer anymore, the race has slimmed down to racers that simply enjoy the race, not for money or fame, but for the race itself, Levno said.
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"It's really evolved into a neat thing," Levno said. "The majority of us do it because we just love to run dogs."
Those involved pay an entry fee, but after expenses are paid, leftover money is divided evenly to all racers.
For those who love to watch dogs run or think they might like to, Levno offers some tips for spectators.
While it sounds like fun to bring your dog to a dog event, Levno encourages spectators to avoid bringing dogs. Dogs seen along the route can pose a threat to both dogs and the people around them, Levno said.
Levno described instances of the sled dog team working together as a pack and if a threat such as another protective dog gets in the path or even near the path of the team, serious injury can occur for all dogs involved. People who try to step into what ensues can also suffer injury. Not to mention, it can distract the team enough to slow down their pace or take them out of the race altogether.
The race crosses about three roads as it jogs through various paths including the Soo Line Trail. Watching the start and end of the race are excellent choices, Levno said, but another good option is to watch from Windy Lake, west of Shovel Lake, which is near the northern edge of the race before the route heads up to the Soo Line Trail. The sleds will ride across Windy Lake and offer a glance at the teams at full speed.
While the race was completed in just under 2.5 hours last year, Levno suggests most teams take longer than that. For those who want to see racers finish, be in downtown Remer from 2:30-5 p.m.
The city of Remer will also welcome in racers and spectators with a variety of family-friendly events downtown, Levno said.
