As the mercury hit almost 25 degrees Friday, mushers harnessed up for the first summer race of the season, Hot Hound.

On the Muktuk Adventures trails in the Ibex Valley, 12 athletes took part in the evening races.

First off was the longer bikejoring event, with two dogs and one biker on the two-mile course. Katherine Scheck won the event in 5:54, followed by Cynthia Corriveau (7:17) and Adam Robinson (8:11).

The one-mile, one-dog bikejoring event was next. Corriveau (3:33) took the win with Scheck (3:37) in second and Robinson (3:40) in third.

Canicross rounded out the race as runners hit the one-mile course harnessed to one dog. Mathieu St-Jean (5:10) took the win as Scheck (5:25) hit the podium a third time, sneaking ahead of Derek Cronmiller (5:26), in third.

“I like being able to get out in the summertime with the dogs, said Robinson. “It’s nice to get them out, keep them exercised, keep them happy and keep them from digging holes in the yard.”

Corriveau said they started bringing a kiddy-pool to races to keep their dogs cooler.

“We make them wet before the run so they are fresh, they are more awake but also not as hot,” she said. “We don’t care about winning. We want to bring back healthy, happy dogs.”