Hundreds of dogs will participate in the Farmington Sprint Races.
CHESTERVILLE – With 30 howling huskies tearing around the yard of his Chesterville home, it’s safe to say Kevin Hiltz’s life has gone to the dogs.
This weekend, so will the town of Farmington.
Musher Hiltz and his sled dogs, who make up Cold Beans Kennel, will be one of more than 100 teams expected to bound into town this weekend for the second annual Farmington Sprint Races. It is hosted by the Down East Sled Dog Club and sponsored by Steve’s Market.
The two-day event is one of many on tap for the Farmington-Wilton Chamber of Commerce’s third annual Winterfest, Jan. 31 through Feb. 22. Race categories include: four-mile ski-jouring, four-mile three-dog junior class, four-mile four-dog pro class, four-mile four-dog sportsman class, six-mile six-dog pro class and six-mile six-dog sportsman class.
The total purse is $2,500.
There will also be one-dog sprint for kids, with dogs available for use.
The race is expected to draw more contestants this year, said Mark Turner of Jay, who in addition to serving as event organizer, will also mush with his crew of sled dogs from Colby Woods Kennel.
Not including fans, more than 500 people will come to the Farmington area this weekend to participate in the races, buying gas, food, renting hotel rooms and hitting local businesses after the races.
“It’s always fun to put on a show. Even if there is no one there, we’ll race,” he said.
Because the Sandy River flooded in December, last year’s course was iced over and the course was moved across the road onto land owned by Brenda and Bussie York. There isn’t a lot of snow, but the Missing Links Snowmobile Club has helped pack down what little there is.
For Hiltz, the races are a chance to show off his pack, but more to himself than anyone else.
“They are a part of my life,” he revealed. “Actually, they are my life. And I ask myself why sometimes, but when you are out there on the trail and everything is working, I know.”
He got involved in sled dog racing less than five years ago and it’s taken over his home, and his heart.
“They win me over,” he said, white wisps of dog hair peppering his clothes. “These aren’t really just dogs. You can feel their excitement about getting out and running the trails. It’s catchy.”
“Once I put my number on, they quiet right down. They know it’s time to race,” Hiltz explained.
He admitted he’ll be a ball of nerves right up until the dogs hit their stride. Nevertheless, he is excited to race, and more so, just to be out skimming the well-packed snow with his finely-tuned team of furry four-legged friends.
“I do it for the dogs,” he said about racing. “The dogs want to go and they need me to take them.”
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