Stanley hosts Sled Dog Rendezvous 2016

The seventh annual Sled Dog Rendezvous and its accompanying Skijoring races will be held Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 27-28, in Stanley.

The check-in begins at 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, at the Stanley Community Building followed by a Mushers Meeting at 7 p.m.

Check-in will continue at 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning at Mountain Village Restaurant for those unable to register Friday evening. Races for six-dog and eight-dog teams starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

Six-dog teams will run 20 miles and eight-dog teams, 48 miles. Teams should begin arriving at the finish line between 10 a.m. and noon.

An eight-mile race for four-dog teams will begin at 12:30 p.m., with teams expected to arrive at the finish line between 1 and 2 p.m.

A Skijoring race featuring racers on skis pulled by dogs will begin at 12:30, as well.

The Junior Race will conclude Saturday’s races, beginning at 2 p.m.

Sunday’s races for six-dog and eight-dog teams start again at 8:30 a.m., with the slowest teams starting first. Again, the teams should cross the finish line between 10 and 11 a.m.

The four-dog and Skijoring races will start at 11:30 a.m., with teams crossing the finish line between noon and 1 p.m.

Watching dogs and people who thrill to the sound of “Mush” should be a thrill for spectators as they get the opportunity to inspect the dogs up close and talk to the racers.

“People think you just stand on the back of the sled and enjoy the view,” said Julia Larsen, a 17-year-old sled dog racer from Hailey. “But I’m out there running and kicking. I’m drenched in sweat by the end of a race. If I’m running six dogs, my goal is to be the seventh dog.”

For more information, contact 208-774-2286 or cityclerk@stanley.id.gov. Stanley-Sawtooth Chamber of Commerce http://www.stanleycc.org