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FDF Requirements and Rules

This page will give you, the racer, everything you need to ensure you have a successful race.  Please make sure to read it over even if you are a long-time experienced racer.

Requirements

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Dog Requirements

  • All dogs must be sufficiently fit to be able to complete the course without risk of injury.
  • Dogs must be healthy and have up-to-date vaccinations.

Equipment Requirements

  • Entry is limited to one person + dog team  (1-3 dogs).
  • Dogs must be treated humanely at all times.
  • Dogs must be controlled and kept from other teams.
  • Loose dogs are not permitted at any time.
  • Aggressive dogs are prohibited from the event.
  • Waste is the dog owner’s responsibility and before or after the race it must be picked up immediately. Volunteers will be present to help remove waste during the races.
  • Runners may enter a second (or third) dog team in different distances, but are only eligible for 1 podium award.

 

General Rules

General Rules

  • Skate or classic skis are allowed
  • Metal ski edges are not permitted
  • Skijor belt is required and must be padded.
  • Towline must use internal bungee.
  • The distance between the skijorer and the dog should be between 7 feet and 10 feet.
  • A pulling style dog harness is required with padding around the neck area.
  • Each dog must wear a snug fitting dog collar.
  • Under no circumstances can the towline be attached to the dog’s collar or any harness not specifically designed for pulling.

Warm-up

  • Warm up is in the designated trails area just north of the parking lot and will be clearly marked.

Start Format

  • Skijorers must provide their own handler if there is any concern about maintaining adequate control in the start area. Handlers must leave the chute area after the team they are assisting has started.
  • The dog may start “lined out” ahead of the start line.
  • The participant’s race bib must be visible to race officials
  • Teams will start in one minute intervals
  • If a team is unable to start at their assigned one minute time they will have thirty seconds to recover or move to the back of the line.

 

On Course

  • All skijor teams are responsible for following all directional signs on the course.

Passing

  • A passing participant must execute a pass only when conditions are safe. Some places on the trail are tight please be careful
  • The participant must shout “Trail”, “On your left”, etc. before attempting to pass.
  • The participant being passed should slow and move to the side of the trail, if possible.
  • The participant being passed should stop poling and hold their poles behind, low, and away from the passing team.
  • Skijorers must exhibit care, good judgment, and fairness whenever passing occurs
  • The exception to Passing is the last 600 meters of the course will be marked as “No Mans Land”  Skijorers are not required to yield in the race for the finish line but please be aware of where your poles are. Dog safety is more important than a ribbon 

After You Finish

  • Participants must exit the finish area as soon as possible.
  • I encourage and want you to cheer on your fellow racers but please be careful where your dogs are so they do not distract other racers.
  • No finish line food or beverages will be available at this time. This may change I am working on it.  IF not please feel free to tailgate
  • Dogs are NOT allowed inside any park buildings at any time. Please respect this.

Awards

I am working on awards at this time we will for sure be doing the following

Awards for the top 3 finishers will be presented in front of the park office building to the following teams:

  • All Divisions Long Course
  • All Divisions Short Course 
  • All childrens Short Course

*note: awards are based off of skijorer’s gender, not the dogs gender

Howling Adventurer Partners