Alaska News

Photos: Young mushers face off in sprint races

Young pups hit the dog mushing trails Saturday at Tozier Track in Alaska's largest city. But more often than not, the dogs pulling them were their elders.

The Junior Alaskan Sled Dog and Racing Association, daughter organization of Anchorage's nearly 70-year-old mushing club, organizes races for kids age 4 to 17, running teams of one to seven dogs.

The youngest mushers run with one dog on a track that takes them less than 90 seconds to finish. The oldest run an 8-mile course with seven dogs.

Tony Berrigan, at the races with his son Keenan, age 7, and daughter Aila, age 11, said he started mushing with his kids seven years ago: "Keenan started mushing at age 2. We had to strap him onto the sled so he wouldn't fall off." Every young competitor is required to wear safety gear, including a helmet, and there are plenty of volunteers along the course to ensure no one gets hurt.

Many of the dogs come from well-known kennels around the state, either because they didn't make the cut for competitive distance racing teams or because they are retired. A number of the dogs pulling sleds on Saturday were Iditarod finishers, some of them having finished more than once.

The Alaskan Sled Dog and Racing Association organizes the Open World Championships, which will be held later this month during Fur Rondy.

Contact Loren Holmes at loren(at)alaskadispatch.com.

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