The sound of dogs pierced the air as they waited, itching to hit the trails around the Lorne Mountain Community Centre on Sunday. With conditions finally adequate to run, the Dog Powered Sports Association of Yukon were able to hold a Carbon Hill Race Day and Cadence Cycle Twister.

Dog lovers from the area and tourists alike gathered together at the start of the race, while some tucked themselves amongst the trees to take pictures, all waiting to see the dogs and their mushers take off onto the trails.

There were four races run on Sunday. The 30-mile for dog sleds with a maximum of eight dogs or skijorers with a max of four dogs. The 10-mile race, with the same parameters as the 30-mile and the six-mile recreation class, open to any disciplines, with a two dogs maximum.

Lindsay Caskenette, a skijorer, raced in the 10-mile with three dogs says she probably prefers a sled but skis are a good way to start out.

“When you have less dogs and you are just starting out skis are good,” said Caskenette.

“But it’s fun and it is probably more of a workout than a sled potentially.”

When Caskenette rounded the first bend in the trail she and her dogs were motoring. In a matter of moments, she was lost within the trees unable to be seen.

“We generally clock a max speed of 25-miles an hour but that’s not consistent,” said Caskenette. “Usually our average speed is anywhere, depending on the trail and the conditions, and these were pretty good conditions, is 12-15-miles. There were a few times I wasn’t on my skis. I’m not the best skier but I’m learning. I commend my dogs. They know when I need to slow down, and they listen so well. ”

Stephan Blust, using six dogs in the 10-miles, got his first official race under his belt.

“Last week I had a training race but this was my first official race,” said Blust. “So it was good it was fun. I had some mistakes, took the wrong way at one point and had to turn around the team which was tricky. It was a really good lesson. But on the way back it was just fun. The weather was so nice.”

On his first race, Blust says he was not concerned about his time, rather he looked to gain experience.

“The time wasn’t important to me today,” said Blust. “It was just to enjoy it. Don’t lose my team and nothing happens and every dog and me comes back safe. They did a good job.”

As the teams began returning from their time on the trails towards the finish line the crowds began to form again to see the mushers come in. The call of ‘team’ could be heard from those who ventured into the woods as teams approached.

The silence which followed after all the mushers were on the trail, was once again filled with the sounds of dogs.