The Dog Powered Sports Association of Yukon (DPSAY) was able to host its second Hot Hounds races on Sunday at Caribou Crossing Trading Post in Carcross. Dog lovers were able to compete with their pooches in three events, two-mile, two-dog bike-jor, one mile, one-dog bike-jor, and the one-mile, one-dog canicross.

On Saturday it poured rain in Whitehorse and the surrounding area, but DPSAY member, Martin Haefele, said the trails were great.

“The trails were really nice,” said Haefele. “They were some of the nicest trails we have had. They were wide and level with lots of turns and curves to be fun. The dogs really enjoy the turns.”

Haefele also said the trails were well marked and easy for everyone to follow.

“No one took the wrong turn or fell off,” said Haefele. “One dog did decide to take a bath along the way but that is a different matter.”

A well-marked trail was important because Hot Hounds #2 saw plenty of new faces participating.

“There were a lot of first-timers and it is great to have them,” said Haefele.

DPSAY had planned to host a Hot Hounds event in either June and July but the temperatures were too hot for the dogs. The heat was not an issue on Sunday.

As summer gives way to fall and then winter Haefele said the excitement for snow is starting to bubble in some of the mushers.

“The dogs like to run in whatever,” said Haefele. “The mushers are more stoked for the snow as many prefer to run in the snow.”

Haefele said the summer events DPSAY holds are for enjoyment purposes but some use it as training time.

“Sometimes people will use it to train leaders,” said Haefele. Most just do it for fun. It is a good social event for the dogs and people.”

Some of the dogs, Haefele said, aren’t to keen with the bikes but regardless if they do the bike-jor or the canicross they will still get the same amount of exercise.

In canicross, the dog will be pulling more because they are faster than the person they are running with explained Haefele. When they are attached to the bike they will have to run faster.

“In the end, they don’t care,” said Haefele. “They just want to run.”

Nadele Flynn and her team of two dogs were the fastest on the two-mile bike setting a quick pace at five minutes, 36 seconds.

Katheryn MacDonald was the second quickest on the trail in seven minutes, 12 seconds. Coady Lee came third, seven seconds behind MacDonald.

Lee posted the quickest time in the one-mile bike-jor finishing in three minutes, 16 seconds. Lisa Jol was next in three minutes and 37 seconds and Haefele took up the bronze spot - if medals were awarded.

The canicross was won by Ciaran Jones, who ran the course in four minutes, 50 seconds.

Peter (no last name given) came close to beating Jones’ time but fell short by 12 seconds. Lee found himself in third with a final time of five minutes, 40 seconds.

Weather permitting, DPSAY is planning to hold one more Hot Hounds before the snow arrives. Haefele said if you have a dog and you both can run a mile, anybody is welcome.