Author Topic: Fort Custer Recreation Area Will Host Sled Dog Races on Jan. 9-10 (Read 870 times)

Skunk · « **on:** December 31, 2009, 10:19:18 AM »

Fort Custer Recreation Area Will Host Sled Dog Races on Jan. 9-10

by Tony Trojanowski, 269-731-4200, Agency: Natural Resources

December 30, 2009

The Department of Natural Resources today announced that Fort Custer Recreation Area will be hosting the annual M.U.S.H. Sled Dog Races on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 9 and 10. The races are sponsored by the Mid-Union Sled Haulers (M.U.S.H.). All events are timed, and are scheduled as follows:

SATURDAY

8:30 a.m. - Trail Help Meeting (mandatory)

9:30 a.m. - Drivers Meeting (mandatory)

11a.m. - 3 Dog Class & Junior Class

12 Noon - 5 Dog Class

1:30 p.m. - 7 Dog Class

2 p.m. - Skijoring

2:30 p.m. - 1 Dog Class (ages 5 - 12)

3 p.m. - Weight Pull

SUNDAY

10 a.m. - 3 Dog Class & Junior Class

11 a.m. - 5 Dog Class

12:30 p.m. - 7 Dog Class

1 p.m. - Skijoring

1:30 p.m. - 1 Dog Class (ages 5 - 12)

2:30 p.m. - Awards Ceremony

This "GO-Get Outdoors" activity is open to both participants and spectators; however, spectators are asked to leave their pets at home to minimize the potential distraction of the sled teams.

For more information about the race or to register for the race, contact the race co-chairs, Jo Oostveen 231-824-3981, or Gary Loebrich 989-687-5461, or visit the M.U.S.H. Web site at www.midunionsledhaulers.com. Advance registration is preferred.

The event will be held at the Fort Custer Recreation Area on the multi-use trails. Racers will start in the campground, located one mile south of Dickman Road just east of the Village of Augusta.

For more information about this event, the park, accessibility, or persons needing accommodations to attend this event, contact the park manager at 269-731-4200 (TTY/TDD711 Michigan Relay Center for the hearing impaired) at least seven days prior to the weekend, or visit the Web site at www.michigan.gov/fortcuster. Advance registration is preferred.

All motor vehicles entering a state park or recreation area must display a Motor Vehicle Permit, available for purchase at the entrance. Cost is $24 for resident annual and $6 for resident daily. A non-resident annual is $29 and a non-resident daily is $8.

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10371_10402---,00.html

J. J. Magnum · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2010, 06:51:33 AM »

Right now things are a go for this race. There is a problem however with snowmobilers trashing the "non-motorized" trails!

We're expecting a bit more snow this week so hopefully that will clean up the trails so that the dogs can run. This will be the first race we have been able to run at Ft. Custer in 5 years or so.

We'll be there!

Skunk · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2010, 07:07:52 AM »

Best of Luck to Team J. J. Magnum!!

J. J., do you folks have a team name?

J. J. Magnum · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2010, 08:53:04 AM »

Indeed we do; although the pronunciation is something to behold...

MagMyaMistMugg Rainbow Racing. The title comes from the names of our dogs and their colors.

Maggie - Red/White

Mya - Grey/Black/White

Misty - All white

Muggs - Grey/Black/White

Leave it to my son to figure all this out.

Keeping our fingers crossed for more snow by Thursday.

Skunk · « **Reply #4 on:** January 06, 2010, 07:24:11 AM »

J.J.,

I think that's a great name for a sled dog racing team. Kudos to your son. He sounds like a real team player wanting to include the teammates' names.

J. J. Magnum · « **Reply #5 on:** January 08, 2010, 03:54:40 AM »

UPDATE!!! Despite 6" of fresh snow (on top of what was already there) the officials at MUSH have cancelled the race at Ft. Custer for this weekend.

I can't tell you how disappointed we are at this developement.

HOWEVER - We will still be going up in the morning and running the dogs. We will give them a breather while we fix lunch and then run them again in the afternoon. The dogs need trail time pulling a sled (not just across our farm fields which they do in conditioning and practice sessions). I'll keep the hot water on for hot chocolate; if you get a chance to come by we should be camped near the trail head.

Skunk · « **Reply #6 on:** January 08, 2010, 04:01:05 AM »

Oh Darn, that's too bad J. J. Wonder if they'll reschedule it for later in the season.

Well, at least you'll still have some quality fun time with the family this weekend.

J. J. Magnum · « **Reply #7 on:** January 11, 2010, 07:15:54 AM »

Well the season is "sort of" off and running. Despite the fact that we got 5-6" extra inches of snow (on top of the 2-3" they already had) the race committee called off the Ft. Custer event. It didn't matter, lots of folks showed up anyway, including us. We made a day of it and Ruhl got in two good runs with the dogs. My wife took lots of pictures of different teams/mushers but I'll let her pick the ones she likes. I am fondest of this one with Ruhl and his team running for the finish!

So let's meet the team (I took these photos)!

Here's Maggie our Lead dog; she's the eldest and though from a different litter sister to Mugs and Misty...