All Canadian Challenge races this year will end in Missinipe. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

winter sports

Canadian Challenge to award $25,000 in prize money

Jan 3, 2023 | 5:20 PM

The 2022 Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race will have a total purse of $25,000.

That’s according to president Dan Kirkup, who said the prize money ranges depending on what event the mushers have entered. Those placing first in the 10-dog, 200-mile race will receive $4,300, while top competitors in other events will receive $625 (10-dog, 300-miles), $1,600 (eight dog, 100-miles) and $500 (six-dog, 50 miles).

“We have some good money there,” Kirkup said. “Some of it comes from the bigger sponsors we have.”

The two 10-dog races will begin Feb. 21 at Elk Ridge Resort, while the eight-dog race starts at Highway 969 Wilderness Camp and the six-dog race begins in La Ronge. Every race this year will end in Missinipe.

There is still space for mushers to register for the races. Kirkup explained even though there has been less interest at this time than previous years, he’s expecting more to sign up in the coming weeks.

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“I think we will see few late additions as we get a little bit closer,” he said. “There are a few mushers locally that are still waiting to see how the training works out and what category will be best for them, which we seen a lot of last year. Some of the 10-dog teams weren’t ready to do the bigger distance, so they were able to drop down from 10 dogs to eight.”

Work on the trails has also started, particularly between Elk Ridge and Weyakwin. Grooming is yet to be done on Montreal Lake and on the trail stretching north of La Ronge.

Kirkup noted volunteers are also still needed and those interested can sign up on the Canadian Challenge website and choose when and where they’d like to assist.

“Just fill out a form and that sends their information to us,” he said. “That puts them on the list and then our volunteer coordinator on the board will be reaching out as we get a little closer of who we are going to put in each place.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno