The outside temperatures held off just enough for the mercury in the thermometer to not crest above -25 C, the cutoff for Saturday's Yukon Brewing Copper Haul League dog sled races.

Eighteen mushers and their dog teams bundled up and hit the Copper Haul trail – a firm trail, on the day, with edging snow. This led to some speedy times by all the teams across the categories.

Prizes up for grabs Saturday were donated by local farmers and butchers.

The Copper Haul League originated in 2004 and ran to 2010. Jon Lucas, the original organizer, thought it was about time the League began again.

"There didn’t seem to be many races for the new and inexperienced dogs and humans this year," Lucas told the Star. “An easier way to get experience is to attend a race or two where the stakes are very low, competitive edges can be relaxed, and we can all work on our trail etiquette, especially passing."

The League began on Jan. 2, and was the qualifier for people joining. Saturday was the first of three races to determine the League winner.

At the qualifier, 11 mushers and their sled dog teams raced. To be eligible to win the League, a musher must complete the qualifier plus, the three other races.

The list of mushers shrunk considerably from the 11 who attended qualifying. Only five mushers remain; Alexandra Rochat, Soren Ohlign, Melissa Schenke, Ilana Kingsley, and Greg Newby. There is a $700 race pot for the next two races.

To make the League more interesting, a handicap system is in place. Mushers' times will be adjusted by previous performance.

"Supposedly slower teams will be on a level playing field with the supposedly faster teams," Lucas said.

Just because a musher did not attend the qualifier does not mean they can't ride in the 10-mile distance – they just won't be eligible for the final prizes.

Mushers in the 10-mile race can compete using a sled or they can skijor.

10 mile League results:

The organizer Lucas and his team of six were the quickest on Saturday, completing the 10 miles in 39:30. Rochat, also racing with six, came second in 40:35. Twenty-five seconds behind Rochat was Ohlign, at 41 minutes even.

Other results:

Like the qualifying day, Saturday also had three more race categories; Kicksled, Working Pets, and the Young People's race. All categories raced three kilometres.

The kicksleders competed with two dogs. Catalina Gomez placed first in 19:10. Rhonda Kotelko was second in 23:22 and Lea-Marie Savoie came third.

Jim Verin and his team of three took the Young People's race in 13 minutes.

It was a full-on team effort for Aurora Barnes. Her brother Forest rode along in the sled with her mom Becki in support on skis. The family unit's time was 22 minutes.

Derek Kingston and his two dogs skijored their way to first in the Working Pets race. They posted a time of 14:45. Natayla Keller on snowblades placed second in 16 minutes. Skijorer Nadelle Flynn came third in 17 minutes.

Despite the cold temperatures, the Working Pets race saw more teams enter than the qualifier.

"I was really pleased with that," said Lucas. "That's part of the point. If you have a dog come out and race. I'm encouraged by the turnout."

When Lucas began the newest rendition of the Copper Haul League, he said he wanted to see new mushers come out and give the sport a try. On Saturday, Lucas said there was lots of passing and positive trail etiquette shown.

The next race in the Copper Haul League is slated for Feb. 20.