Nov. 3, 2009, Clearwater, Minn. — The East Meets West Dryland Sleddog Race debuts in Clearwater’s Warner Lake Park November 14th &15th and KVSC 88.1FM is providing live race coverage for Saturday. Race Coordinator Monica Jendro is excited about the event, “We will have a smorgasbord of concessions throughout the two days as well as a ‘Meet the Mushers Dinner’ on Saturday evening where anyone and everyone can mix and mingle with competitors and find out more about this exciting aspect of sled dog sports.” Events begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. on Sunday.

As event media sponsor, KVSC is providing music and giveaways during the weekend activities. KVSC encourages the public to watch the dogs and mushers ply the trails on Saturday and Sunday. In fact, the public can even participate and get their feet wet in dryland racing by entering a canicross “Fun Run” event held on Saturday. All that is needed is a dog and a leash. Canicross is essentially running with your dog in harness and attached to the musher via a line and a specially designed belt.

Dryland racing also offers a variety of new sled dog sports. Bikejoring is done with one or two dogs and an experienced musher on a suitable bike.  Scootering is also done with one or two dogs and specially designed ‘mountain scooters’. There are also rig races, where mushers ride a lightweight, wheeled cart pulled by a team of two to six dogs. Dryland sled dog racing is a relatively new aspect of sled dog sports, but it has caught on rapidly throughout Europe and North America.

The East Meets West Dryland Championship is sponsored by the Clearwater Travel Plaza, National Dog Food, Appert’s Food Service, Bernick’s Beverages & Vending and Ronnoco Specialty Coffees.  Additional support is provided by KVSC 88.1FM of Saint Cloud, Stearns County Parks, the City of Clearwater, St. Cloud Convention and Visitors Bureau, Warner Lake County Park, C & L Distributing of Sauk Rapids and the Hilpipre Auction Company of Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Over 100 competitors from throughout North America are expected to compete for a $10,000.00 purse in 12 classes of racing.  The event is sanctioned by the International Sled Dog Racing Association and accredited by the International Federation of Sleddog Sports with collaboration by the North Star Sled Dog Club of Minnesota.

For further information please visit www.isdra-dryland-racing.info or call Monica Jendro at 320-282-2824