The 24th Annual Can-Am Sled Dog Races Are This Weekend

Three major sled dog races are being held in the Saint John Valley and the North Maine Woods of Aroostook County through Monday, with a total purse of $43,000. The 250-mile race is a qualifier for the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest.

The 24th annual 250 mile race, known as the Irving Woodlands Can-Am Crown 250 has a total purse of $29,000. The 23rd annual 100-mile race, named In Memory of Willard Jalbert, Jr. Can-Am Crown 100 has a total purse this year of $10,000. The 20th annual 30-mile race, the Pepsi Bottling & Allen's Coffee Flavored Brandy Can-Am Crown 30 has a total purse of  $4,000.

All three races will start from Main Street in Fort Kent, Maine and finish at Lonesome Pine ski lodge in Fort Kent. The 100-miler kicks off at 8:00 Saturday. The 30-miler starts at 9:10 am and the 250 at 10:20 am.

The Race Marshall for the 250 mile race is Don Hibbs of Millinocket, Maine, who has run in 11 of the last 19 Can-Am Crown 250 mile races and took three first place finishes.

Continuing as Race Marshals for the 30-mile and 100-mile races are John Pelletier and Miaja Jackson of St. John, Maine.

The Chief Veterinarian for 2016 is Nick Pesut, who has served as a Trail Veterinarian or Chief Veterinarian at every Can-Am Crown race since the beginning.

Each checkpoint will be staffed until all teams reach the next safety station along the trail. A hot meal will be available for 250-mile race participants when they arrive at each checkpoint except checkpoint #3 at Camp Syl-Ver.

Checkpoints are accessible by vehicle, but closed to team handlers and the general public in the North Maine Woods Area.

Each checkpoint is equipped with shelter, two-way radio communication, first aid and veterinary care. The exception to this is the Camp Syl-Ver checkpoint #3, which has been designated as an un-assisted wilderness checkpoint.

Judges will be present at every checkpoint, and the race marshal will be circulating from checkpoint to checkpoint. .

Veterinary examinations and care will be provided by a team of licensed veterinarians and technicians. Veterinarians are equipped for emergency treatment of sick or injured dogs. If the Chief Vet and the Race Marshall agree a dog should be dropped, then the dog must be dropped.

The awards dinner will be held in the evening after the conclusion of the Can-Am Crown 250 Monday .  Award brunches will also be held after the 100 and 30 mile races Saturday.

Details in this article courtesy of Can-Am Crown Incorporated.