Priest Lake Sled Dog Race set for next week

PRIEST LAKE — Brave dogs and racers will be taking their marks the first weekend in February for the 53rd annual Priest Lake Sled Dog Race.

The race, put on by the Inland Empire Sled Dog Association, is one of several races that form the Pacific Northwest Championships. Mushers come from across the west to participate in teams as large as eight dogs and as small as one dog, Zach Wolf, IESDA board member, said.  

ISDA members own and train a variety of dogs, including Alaskan Huskies, Eurohounds, Siberian Huskies, Seppala Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds and more, officials said on the IESDA website.

Teams compete in many different classes, including the six-to-eight-dog mid-distance, eight-dog sprint, six-dog sprint, four-dog sprint, advanced skijor, novice skijor, fatbikejor, novice sled, teddy bear, and peewee. 

“This event benefits the economies of both Priest River and Priest Lake and provides a unique spectator experience,” officials said. “These communities in turn support the race through their sponsorships.”

Races will begin around 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning, Feb. 3, and continue through early afternoon. Sunday, Feb. 4, races begin about 9 a.m. and will also continue through early afternoon. The event is free to spectators with a suggested donation of $5 for parking. 

“As always we want to thank our sponsors and all of the additional clubs and organizations that are currently and have helped/donated in the past that have helped to make this race a possibility and a success,” Wolf said. 

    A young racer guides their team toward the finish line at the 2022 Priest Lake Sled Dog Race.
  

    A racer guides their team toward the finish line at the 2022 Priest Lake Sled Dog Race.