Eagle Cap Extreme

100 Mile 8 Dog Race
200 Mile 12 Dog Race

Vet Checks &
Musher Meeting
Wednesday, January 14th
Joseph & Enterprise

Race Start - Thursday, January 15th
Time 1:30 PM (updated)

Musher Dinner & Dance
Saturday, January 17th
Joseph Community Center

January 14-17, 2009 the Eagle Cap Extreme schedule of events:

Musher Meal with Public: The race provides a meal for mushers before their mandatory meeting with race officials. The public is welcome. Mushers draw from a hat to randomly select start numbers.

Musher Meeting with Officials: For mushers and race officials only. The race marshal goes over race rules, the head veterinarian explains the expected dog care and gives tips about what to watch for on the trail, and the trail boss describes the trail markers and course map.

Veterinary Checks: Mushers bring their teams to veterinary checks located on the main streets of Joseph and Enterprise, and the public comes out to meet them. Race veterinarians check dogs, and talk to the public about the importance of sled dog care on and off the trail.

Education Opportunities: The race sponsors activities to involve local kids in the race excitement and teach them about sled dogs and the sport of mushing. The Reading Race assembles kids into sled dog teams and uses minutes of actual reading to advance each team along a map of the actual race trail. For the coloring contest kids research sled dog racing and draw a colorful, free hand picture to accompany a written fact. Official junior reporters write paragraphs explaining different aspects of the race. In 2009 the ECX hopes to add activities at the vet checks and race central specifically for kids.

Race Start: At the race start spectators gather to cheer on each musher and team as they leave the chute. Race start location depends on snow levels, but the goal is to start at Wallowa Lake.

Race Central: Open from the beginning of the race through the awards’ banquet, race central houses the communications’ base; posts musher times and progress; provides information about sponsors and Wallowa County; displays musher profiles and photos from checkpoints and vet checks; and offers race merchandise, hot drinks, and sweets.

Checkpoints: Mushers are required to check in and layover for 6 hours in a specific checkpoint staffed with veterinary teams and approximately fifty volunteers. The main race checkpoints, located in a remote spot fifty miles into the race (the turn around spot for the 100) and near a remote town on the 100 mile marker (the turn around for the 200), offer hay for the dogs to sleep in, tipis or tents for mushers and volunteers, and a hospitality tent with food for everyone. Point/sweep teams on snowmobiles lead/follow the group, reporting on their whereabouts and safety.

Musher Dinner & Dance: The Musher dinner & dance is for mushers, volunteers, and sponsors. The public may buy tickets. The appropriate thank yous are made publicly, mushers share stories from the trail, and prize money and trophies are awarded to the winners.