MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The UP-200 race is back for the first time in two years, and the dogs, mushers, and handlers couldn’t be more excited. So on Friday morning at the Riverside Auto Mall volunteers and vets met with all the teams to make sure their dogs were in good shape, “There’s three core things you look for,” said UP-200 Co-Head Veterinarian Tom Gustafson. “One is going to be their heart rate at rest, the second is going to be their level of hydration, and then the third is a body condition score, which is an assessment of how much body fat their carrying on their frames.”
Gustafson and Kevin Malikowski, a musher, said as of this morning things are looking good. “Everything’s on schedule right now, everything is going well,” said Gustafson. “All the dogs look good, weather conditions are kind of in a sweet spot for this race so hopefully they hold.”
“They’ve been training for months, so they’re in pretty good shape,” said Malikowski. Malikowski also said he’s excited for the races, and a little nervous. “I’m a little nervous, I always get a little nervous for going out of the chute,” said Malikowski. “Once I’m out of the chute it’s like phew, you know, but it’s getting everything ready and going and the anticipation.”
Volunteer clerks also help get dogs’ shot records and other important information. One clerk, Stacy Busch, said she’s been helping out with the check for years, because the races are her favorite event, “I love the excitement of the race, I love to talk to the mushers, and I like to go outside to see the dogs,” said Busch. “The four legged athletes out there are cause I can hear them barking and jumping around and I think the mushers are very happy to have the race back.”
The UP-200 begins on Friday February 14 at 6:30 p.m.
