Canadian Challenge Records Three Successful Years
When the Canadian Challenge ran as the Northern Lights Challenge
in 1998 and 1999, the mid-distance sled dog race surprised the community
and organizers with its outstanding success. Established in 1994,
the nonprofit Gateway North Sled Dog Race Assoc. Inc. (GNSDRAI)
formulated the race to rekindle the traditional sport of sled dog
racing. Judging by the Challenge's reception to date, the rekindling
is well under way. Each year the race has grown exponentially, together
with the confidence and exuberance of its organizers.
Frank Brooks, president and race co-ordinator of GNSDRAI, captures
the excitement of the event's growth.
"We started the race just to have a dog race and then
bang-bang-bang this all happened. The growth is just phenomenal."
Canadian Challenge director Angie Merasty agrees that interest
in the race has snowballed.
"When we first started, we had to beg for mushers. But
this year's race was already full by early December of 1999 and
we had a waiting list. The audience has grown too,"
she said. "In 1998, about 600 people came out to watch in Prince
Albert and another 200 in La Ronge. Last year those numbers
grew to 2,400. This year they soared to 6,600."
"Our goal is to become as big as the Yukon Quest in our
fifth year," said Merasty, adding optimistically, "I know
we will be there."
One of the benefits of the Challenge is that it puts money
back into the community. Not only does the race attract the always-welcome
tourist dollar, but the purse pays direct benefits to the participants.
Then there is the very worthwhile Gary Tinker Federation scholarship
fund.
"We are very proud to have the Gary Tinker Federation
as benefactor of the Canadian Challenge," said Merasty. "Cameco
donates $1,000 each year to kick off the scholarship fund. Then
all proceeds from the race go to it as well."
The scholarship is awarded annually to assist a northern Saskatchewan
disabled person. In 1998 and 1999, the fund was $3,000.
Other northern residents benefit by participating in the race.
In 1998, John Pacquette was the Challenge's sole northern Saskatchewan
musher. But in the second year, northern representation increased
and by 2000, one-fifth of the entrants were from northern Saskatchewan.
Others came from southern Saskatchewan and elsewhere in Canada,
and from the United States. Northern B.C. and Yukon mushers are
setting a trend by returning year after year.
The Challenge trail closely follows the original route of First
Nations People, North West Mounted Police, trappers and fur buyers
who once mushed by necessity. The race itself takes place over three
days and 530 kilometres, although the events span five days. On
day one, participants leave Prince Albert for an untimed run to
La Ronge where they must stay until Saturday. This first leg familiarizes
dogs and mushers with the trail, enabling them to plan their strategy.
In La Ronge, the contestants temporarily trade harnesses for
forks, as they are regaled with food and festivity. A meal of traditional
northern dishes like bannock, northern stew, and wild rice precedes
an evening of square dancing, hoop dancing, door prizes, auctions
and anecdotes. Proceeds from the banquet fatten up the scholarship
fund.
After the feasting, the real race begins. Saturday morning,
contestants speed from La Ronge to Prince Albert, breaking only
at the mandatory rest stops. Some run by day, others by night, and
each uses a different technique to better his or her chance at the
purse. Monday, mushers get their hands on that purse when the event
winds down with the awards banquet.
From its onset, the Challenge has relied on generous donations
from local merchants and corporate sponsors. Organizers say the
association is especially grateful to those benefactors whose image
sometimes proves as valuable as their cash.
"When Cameco Corporation came on board," said Brooks,
"their image and corporate leadership gave us the credibility
we needed. That helped us to attract other sponsors. There wouldn't
have been a second year if Cameco hadn't sponsored us first."
Merasty is quick to agree.
"In the first year," said Merasty, "it was difficult
to get sponsorship. This year we had sponsors jumping up all over
the place. We already have gold sponsors in place for next year."
The multifaceted benefits of the Challenge outlive its five
days of euphoria. As intended, the race is helping to rekindle the
traditional sport of sled dog racing by raising public awareness.
Growing media attention, international competitors and educational
programs generate knowledge and interest in dog sledding. But other
benefits are also evident.
A rewarding offshoot of the race is a better breed of Saskatchewan
sled dogs. As interest in the event grows and more and more Saskatchewan
people become involved, the caliber of the province's racing stock
increases.
"The quality of our northern dogs is improving,"
said Brooks. "We have some of the best distance dogs in the
world."
This is good news to mushers in northern Saskatchewan, where
dog teams are still a traditional means of travel.
For more information about the Canadian Challenge or to become
a sponsor, contact GNSDRAI by e-mail saska@sk.sympatico.ca
or by telephone (306) 982-3798. GNSDRAI also has a web site at www.canadianchallenge.com.
