Dog-Powered Races Bring Excitement to Pearson

You don’t have to wait until snow covers the ground to enjoy fast-paced sled dog racing in northern Wisconsin.

The 15th Annual Dirty Dog Dryland Derby at the MaKaJaWan Boy Scout Reservation outside Pearson will bring together mushers and their canine racers for a weekend of racing action on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7 and 8. Races start at 9 a.m. both days.

Between 80 and 100 sled dog racing teams, including those from Canada and Alaska, are expected. Each event offers three groupings: professional, registered breed, and sportsmen.

You’ll see teams with mountain bikes (“bikejoring”), two-wheeled scooters, carts, and dogs partnered with running mushers (“canicross”), in addition to the standard teams. In canicross, runners are harnessed to a single or pair of dogs with the goal of gently pulling the runner without toppling him or her over!

Spectators, especially families, are welcomed to this autumn event. They can visit with drivers and smooze with their dogs at their trucks, too! Parking and admission are free for spectators. Home-cooked food service will be available at the race site.

The Boy Scout Reservation is north of Antigo. Take Highway 45 north and turn on County Road T toward Pearson. Stay on County Road T through Pearson and look for the signs, taking a left off County Road T to the race site.