Winterfest: Human Dogsled Races

This time the HUMAN pulls the sled!
Released by the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club

South Portland Winter Festival 2012

Human Dogsled Competition

Sponsored by: South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club

LOCATION: Thomas Knight Park
DATE:  Saturday, February 4, 2012
TIME: 1:00 - 4:00 PM

PRIZES: Prize winners will be announced at the Mill Creek Bandstand after completion of all races. Winners need not attend to receive their prizes.

1st Place: DiMillo’s On the Water Restaurant, Lobster Dinner for Four

2nd Place: $75.00 Gift Certificate Package

3rd Place: $50.00 Gift Certificate Package

SUGGESTED DONATION: $20/team (Checks payable to “SPCE Rotary Charitable Fund”)

COURSE: The total course length of the Thomas Knight Park raceway is 150 feet +/-, straight-away. Races will be run in elimination heats, first South to North, and then a second team racing North to South. Winners of heats will advance, until all winners are determined.

TEAMS:

• A complete team will consist of four (4) or more participants. Two persons shall pull the sled. There shall be no more than two (2) riders without special permission from the event chair. Riders may be either human or canine, or any combination, but must be related to a team member, or kept by a team member if canine. Riders cannot exceed an aggregate of 150 lb. There must be one (1)"musher” to ride on back of sled.

• All team members must have submitted a signed waiver/release document to be eligible to race.

EQUIPMENT: Sleds and adjustable shoulder harness will be provided. Personal sleds or harness are not permitted in the competition. Any footwear is allowed, except for metal spikes.

RULES:

• The entire team must remain behind the starting line until the race is started.

• The “Musher” may push-start the sled up to the start line. Once the sled has crossed the start line, the “Musher’s” feet must remain on the sled (in order not to aid the sled toward the finish line), and all riders must remain in the sled until the entire sled crosses the finish line.

• The winning team in each race (the first team to completely cross the finish line) will receive a ticket to the next round. When all heats are completed, the next round will be run until all winners are declared. Any infraction of the above rules may result in team disqualification. Decisions of the event chair shall be final.

• Special challenge teams (not competing for the above prizes) may race by prior arrangement, or at the discretion of the event chair, under such conditions as may be agreed upon.