Teams from Toronto, Quebec and the Maritimes are coming to Moncton.
The seventh annual Spring Fast Fox harness dog race will be held in Mapleton Park on April 12 and 13.
Spectators will see various breeds of dogs taking part, including Huskies, German Shepherds, Doberman and Australian Shepherds.
“I was not a runner before I started, but I can run with my dogs now. Some of my friends are phenomenal runners, and just watching them run with their dogs is incredible. But a lot of people started just like me, not much of a runner, and have learned. It kind of gives you, a reason to want to learn how to run properly, because you want to do it with your dog,” Valerie Michon, Lead Organizer for the Moncton Dog Runners says.
The teams made up of their owners and racers and one or two dogs, will gather at Mapleton Park bright and early on Saturday and Sunday. Activities and races are expected to get underway at around 6:30 am.
“We have 149 starts, our biggest ever. We have quite a few coming from Toronto and all over Quebec. Our friends from the Maritimes as well, from the Saint John area, Fredericton, Halifax and Truro,” Michon adds.
There will be trail closures at the park on Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday, April 12 from 6:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.:
- Full closure of the Lagune, Cattail, Riparian, and Bayou trails.
- Partial closure of the Floodplain and Wetland trails.
Sunday, April 13 from 6:30 a.m. until 12 p.m.:
- Full closure of the Lagune, Cattail, Riparian, and Bayou trails.
- Partial closure of the Floodplain and Wetland trails
Michon says there is an opportunity for spectators with this weekend’s event, but they do ask if you are coming to watch, that you don’t bring a dog, because it could be very distracting for the competing dogs.
Moncton Dog Runners was established around eight years ago and it has grown to around 100 members. There is an opportunity to learn more about the sport and how to train for the various types of racing through the club.
“So we offer clinics. We usually do them, in the spring and in the fall,” Michon explained.
She adds there are various types of harness dog racing you can take part in, including canitrail, bikejoring and skijoring.
“The dogs really love these sports. Anyone who knows any of us knows how much our dogs get happy when they see their pulling harnesses come out. It creates quite a special bond because you both have to trust each other a lot,” Michon stressed.
