Aviemore Hosts First Husky Race on Snow since 1995!

Aviemore Hosts First Husky Race on Snow since 1995!

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Over 1000 sled dogs and 200 mushers are heading for Aviemore this weekend to take part in the 2010 Arden Grange & Siberian Husky Club of Great Britian Aviemore Sled Dog Rally.

This year's event takes place on 23 and 24 January 2010 and will be the first time the race has been run on snow since 1995 because of the heavy snowfall and sub zero temperatures. For the last 15 years competitors, known as mushers, have used a three-wheeled rig but this year all mushers will be using sleds.

Organised by the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain, sponsored by the dog food manufacturer Arden Grange and in conjunction with Forestry Commission Scotland, the rally is run on tracks around the beautiful Loch Morlich in the shadow of the Cairngorms.

Preparations are well under way for the weekend's activities. Forestry Commission Scotland and the Aviemore Business Association are helping the Husky Club to prepare the race site and trail for the mushers, their teams and the huge numbers of spectators who come every year to watch the event.

One of the event organisers, Sarah Robinson from Watford said: "We are very grateful to our sponsors Arden Grange, Forestry Commission Scotland and the businesses and people of Aviemore for helping us to make this the biggest snow race ever run in the UK. We have competitors from all over the country and we are all very excited at the thought of using sleds as we rarely get the opportunity to run on snow in this country. Spectators are very welcome but because of the amount of snow in the car parks we would ask you to use public transport if possible.

Jack Mackay, for Forestry Commission Scotland in Inverness, said; "It's certainly been a team effort this year - and the fact that we've got snow is really going to make this a special event."

Just a dozen teams ran in the first rally in 1984. With over 200 teams racing this year, the event is now one of the biggest gatherings of its kind in the world, bringing very welcome income to the tourist industry, shops and restaurants of Aviemore.

Sarah Robinson explains more about the race: "The race will feature teams of between two and eight dogs pulling sleds around the challenging, four-mile track. Taking part will be Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds and Canadian Eskimo Dogs. Both dogs and musher have to be fit and many teams train all year round for this race. The health and safety of the dogs is our top priority and we always have a vet on standby during the racing. Sled dogs will arrive from as far as the Isle of Wight and Devon, 600 miles south, for what is considered one of the most challenging and prestigious of the Siberian Husky Club's series of rallies. Many of the dogs running at the Rally will also be competing at the Kennel Club's Crufts Dog Show in March.

Notes to Editors:

1.       The Event

The 2009 Arden Grange Aviemore Sled Dog Rally will be the 27th Aviemore rally.

There are eight adult classes and two children's classes. Start times on the first day are by random draw but the Sunday's starts are on the basis of first-in, first-out - that is, the fastest time of Saturday in each class starts the Sunday heat. The team with the fastest time over the two days wins their class. The event starts at 9.30 am each day and viewing is free for the general public. Teams run at either two-minute intervals (A and B Class) or one-minute intervals for the remainder (C,D,E). This creates a very fast moving event. Starts for the A and B teams are very exciting and so are the finishes for the C, D, E classes with often several teams in view at the finish. Competitors come from all walks of life and from all over the UK and Northern Ireland.

2.      The Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain

This was set up in 1977 to promote the interests of the Siberian Husky as a pedigree breed. It provides information, help and advice to all those interested in the Siberian Husky, whether they are owners or not. The Club holds Open and Championship shows each year and working rallies take place throughout the winter months. The health and welfare of the Siberian Husky is particularly important and the Club runs a national welfare scheme for unwanted Siberian Huskies. The scheme is funded entirely by voluntary donation. Further information on both the Club and Siberian Husky can be found on the web site: www.siberianhuskyclub.com.

For further information, interviews and photos contact

The Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain : 

Judy Wakker on 07765 886236

Date:20 Jan 2010, Author: Judy Wakker