La Ronge May Lose Sled Dog Race

La Ronge May Lose Sled Dog Race

Friday, May 05, 2006 at 15:26

It appears the people that run the annual Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race are considering a request to drop La Ronge from the race route, and hold the race between Prince Albert and Nipawin instead.

In a letter to the La Ronge Chamber of Commerce, race board member Gill Gracie says a request to that effect was submitted to the sled dog association earlier this week.

According to Gracie, those in favour of Nipawin argued that La Ronge does not produce enough sponsorship revenue, the trails are too costly to groom, the highway route is not challenging enough, checkpoints have not been consistent and it is not a true distance race.

The association has asked both communities to submit bids for the race, which will be considered at an association meeting within the next month.

Gracie is asking La Ronge businesses to demonstrate they still want the race by increasing their sponsorship level.

La Ronge has been the midpoint of the race ever since its inception in 1998.