Derek Konga, seen here, said he was nervous before heading out on the six-dog, 96-km race. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

endurance

Half of mushers competing in 10-dog race drop out

Feb 19, 2025 | 5:00 PM

Four out of the eight mushers competing in the Canadian Challenge’s premiere 10-dog, 322-kilometer (200 miles) race have scratched.

American Clayton Perry, the 2024 winner, was the first to exit the race on the morning of Feb. 19. Shortly afterwards, Vico Fauveau also left, as well as Leon Church and Craig Houghton (2024 runner up). Those remaining in the race include Garrick Schmidt, Anna Bolvin, Dan Kirkup (Canadian Challenge president), and Monroe Mondor.

The races have a total purse of $15,000 with $3,179 being the top prize in the main 10-dog race. The winner is expected to complete the race some time this evening.

The 322-km race serves as a qualifier for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and Yukon Quest.

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Three other races began on Wednesday including the six-dog, 96-km (60 miles), six-dog, 160-km (100-miles), and eight-dog, 160-km (100 miles). La Ronge’s Ragnar Robinson is in the eight-dog race, while Derek Konga is entered in the six-dog, 96-km race.

Those in Wednesday’s races will return to La Ronge this evening and once again leave for the final leg on Thursday morning.

All of the mushers participating in the Canadian Challenge are wearing trackers and can be followed on the trail online here.

The weather has continued to be rather cold during the competition. Mushers in the 10-dog race left La Ronge on Tuesday under an extreme cold warning with temperatures at -30 C with a -35 C wind chill value, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.

On Wednesday, mushers in the three races left with temperatures hovering between -27 C and -21 C with a wind chill value of -31 C.

The Town of La Ronge has sponsored an event at the Mel Hegland Uniplex’s curling lounge on Thursday. It begins at 1 p.m. and includes artist Annalisa Heppner creating dog sled inspired art, as well as music, tacos and face painting. Children under eight must be accompanied by an adult.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com