Local cross-country skiers got a surprise on Mt. Mac's dog trail last night as 11 skijorers competed in a weeknight race.

The Whitehorse Cross-Country Ski Club worked alongside Stefan Wackerhagen to secure the trail for Thursday's race.

The skijorers met at the dog trail parking area by Hamilton Boulevard and took to the 14-kilometer trail with one or two dogs.

Wackerhagen lead the field, completing the run in just over 36 minutes.

Cynthia Corriveau and Jonathan Lucas tied for second with a time of 37:13.

"The race went really well,” said Wackerhagen. "I was happy with everything.”

Wackerhagen said the trail was in good condition and provided a physical challenge for those that wanted to push themselves.

"With only one or two dogs it really emphasizes your skiing skills,” he said.

"The trails were really good for the warm weather we've been having, I was a bit worried about it, but it turned out pretty good.”

Alexandra Rochat was the lone skijorer to race with only one dog and posted a time 53:57.

"We would have had a lot more people with only one dog but a few people borrowed each others,” said Wackerhagen.

Pippa Lawson attended the race with her pet dog, Tiramisu and was able to borrow Appleton, a sled dog belonging to Corriveau.

"I learned there's a big difference between the born and bred sled dogs and the pet dogs,” Lawson said after the race.

Despite being a running dog, Tiramisu had a hard time keeping up with the speed

of Appleton and Lawson decided to let her loose about two-thirds into the race.

"She did a really good job but it was better to just let her run behind us. They got along great, she just couldn't keep up to pace.”

Lawson also praised the conditions of the trail.

"It's in great shape,” she said. "It was nice and wide so the dogs loved it and there was lots of room.”

"You're basically skiing across the valley of Macintyre Creek,” said Wackerhagen.

"You cross the creek at one point and then we climb a high ridge, it's a fairly steep climb and then a long down hill. It's very nice.”

Wackerhagen is optimistic that the ski club will agree to hold more races on the trails next season.

"Everyone really enjoyed and the trails are really nice,” he said.

The skijorers will now gear up for the final Twister race of the season, which will be held April 8 in Ibex Valley.

"Everyone is hoping the weather will hold out and there's still some snow left,” said

Wackerhagen.

"All the Twister events have gone well, there have a been a lot of races, it's been a really good season.”

DPSAY will be holding a season ending raffle at the final race, with three main prizes up for grabs.

Air North ticket vouchers valued at $1,500, a Yukon Anorak by Skookum valued at $995 and a $100 gift certificate to the Kanoe People.