2023 Solstice Invitational Results
Solstice Invitational Races
Join us for our Annual Solstice Invitational Races!
Sign-ups are open and will close on December 11th, 2023 at 11:59pm. Please view the link below for Sign Ups and more information! Rules will be posted on or before November 21st and the race schedule will be posted here and on social media the week before the race. We look forward to seeing you there!
- $85 Entry fee for the 50 Mile Race.
- $40 entry fee for the 20 Mile Race.
Membership is mandatory for both races, but like last year there will be multiple benefits to having a membership.
Tentative Race Schedule
Race Rules
The 2023 Solstice Invitational 50 Race Rules
The 2023 TRDMA Solstice Invitational 50 Sled Dog Race will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2023. Start time is exactly at 11am.
Race start and finish is at Pleasant Valley Store (23 Chena Hot Springs Rd).
Qualifications:
- All drivers must be members in good standing with the TRDMA along with holding a current membership with TRDMA. Memberships are available for $30 for an Individual Membership, $50 for a Kennel Membership (two members) or $75 for a Family Membership (two adults and up to four kids). Participants will be prompted upon sign up to pay for a membership if they do not currently have one.
- Drivers must be 13 years or older in order to run this race. Minors will need a minor liability form signed by a legal parent or guardian on race day.
- No one convicted of animal abuse or neglect will be eligible to participate in any TRDMA race.
- TRDMA holds the right to honor a censure from any other sled dog racing organization.
Limitation of entries: The maximum number of entries accepted will be 25. After 25 spots have been filled, a waiting list for up to 8 entries will be available for mushers who have signed up.
Fees: Entry fee for the 50 mile race is $85. If there are still open slots on race day, race day sign-ups will be available for a fee of $105.
Registration: Registration will open on Sunday, November 13. Teams will need to register online through the following link: LINK HERE. Registration will close on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 11:59pm. If any slots remain open on race day, day of registration will be allowed. There will be no sign-ups by postal mail. All fees (both membership and race fee) are due at the time of sign-up. Sign ups are on a first come, first served, basis.
Refunds: Entry fees paid by a musher not allotted a starting spot will be refunded. Mushers that withdraw will forfeit their entire entry fee. Substitutions by mushers associated with the same kennel will be permitted.
Purse: Teams that place first, second or third in the 50 mile race will receive a check that will be presented to them at the Pleasant Valley Store Finish. The minimum purse for the 50 mile race will be 50% of the total entry fees received for this race and will be distributed as follows: 1st: 50% of the purse; 2nd: 30% of the purse; and 3rd: 20% of the purse. Other forms of awards might be presented at the race finish.
Race cancellation: If the temperature at the Pleasant Valley Store is colder than -44 degrees Fahrenheit at 9:00 A.M on Saturday, December 17,2022, the race will be postponed or canceled at the discretion of the race officials. After the race has started, it will continue regardless of temperature.
Vaccinations: All dogs must be current on Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus and +/- Parainfluenza as per the vaccine protocols recommended by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) unless directed otherwise by your veterinarian and the AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) which can be found HERE. All dogs must be vaccinated against Rabies as per CDC guidelines unless directed otherwise by your veterinarian. Proof of current vaccines above must be presented at the time of check-in on race day. Copies of Rabies certificates and purchase receipts for Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus and +/- Parainfluenza are acceptable as proof. If your veterinarian has directed against certain vaccines, a letter from your veterinarian must be presented at the time of check-in. While vaccination against Bordetella is highly recommended, TRDMA is not considering it mandatory at this time.
Race Day
Check-in: Mushers must check in with race officials on race day anytime between 9 and 10 AM inside Pleasant Valley Store.
Draw for start position: Start position will be determined by luck of the draw on race day at 10:30 A.M. at the Pleasant Valley Store. The order of the draw will be determined by the order entries are received. Race bibs will be distributed at that time.
Mandatory Driver’s meeting: Attendance at the drivers’ meeting is mandatory. Any driver not in attendance is subject to penalty or disqualification. The driver’s meeting will be held immediately following the bib draw. (Shortly after 10:30 am)
Starting interval: Teams will leave the starting line at two-minute intervals. Any team that cannot leave the starting line within one minute of its designated time will be required to start two minutes after the scheduled departure of the final team. Any team that cannot leave the starting line within 30 minutes of the last team’s scheduled departure will be disqualified.
Dogs Leaving the start line: All dogs must leave the start line in harness and attached to the towline.
Number of Dogs: Drivers must start the race with no fewer than 8 dogs and no more than 12 dogs. 50 Mile racers must finish with all dogs they started with either the line or in the sled basket, carried in a safe manner.
Sleds: Only one sled may be used during the race. Sled must have a brush bow, sled bag, and a working brake. Any repairs must be done exclusively by the driver. No significant alterations as to weight or size will be allowed. Sled and equipment must be in good working condition in order to be permitted to start the race.
Mandatory gear: Mandatory gear will be checked on race day. A team missing mandatory gear will not be able to leave the starting line or officially cross the finish line. Missing gear will result in a time penalty or disqualification.
- Sled equipped with a standard brake
- Cooker with three gallon capacity
- Cooking gear, including fuel sufficient for at least one feeding
- Food sufficient for at least one feeding of driver and team
- Cold weather sleeping bag
- Booties, 8 per dog on the dogs or in the sled
- Hand ax with an overall length of at least 22 inches
- A pair of snowshoes with bindings and at least 252 square inches of surface area
- Headlamp
- Snow hook
- Assigned starting bib which, must be visible at all times
Following the trail: All teams must follow the trail as marked. Deviations or shorter routes will result in disqualification. Every effort will be made to keep trail markers in place, but TRDMA cannot be responsible for acts of nature or malicious acts. Two stakes on the side of the trail the turn is on will mark turns; e.g. a left turn will have two markers side-by-side on the left hand side of the trail; a right hand turn will have markers on the right. Intersections that are to be traveled straight through will have a single marker on the right and left side of the trail. All intersections will have confidence markers past the intersection.
Calling Trail: Respect your fellow racers. If you’re being overtaken by another team within 50 feet of your team and the driver is calling trail you must stop your team. This means stop. Do not just lightly touch your brake. It is your responsibility to ensure your team isn’t interfering with other teams while passing and have your sled pulled over as far as you can out of the way. The passed team must remain behind at least five minutes before asking for the trail right-of-way to re-pass.
Keep the trail clear: Drivers resting their team must keep the trail clear of their dogs, food, and gear at all times so as to not obstruct the trail for other mushers. Dog booties and excessive amounts of dog food left on the trail are considered littering.
Littering is prohibited: A minimum thirty minute time penalty will be assessed for littering on the trail. Be respectful to our trails and dogs. Excessive dog food left on the trail is littering and is also considered tampering with another team’s race. Any teams found to have left litter on the trail may result in a time penalty.
Tampering: Tampering with another driver’s dogs, food, truck, trailer, dog box, or gear will result in disqualification from the race and possibly exclusion from future races. The above are examples and tampering is not limited to these alone. Drivers are responsible for the actions of their handlers, friends, and associates.
Dropped dogs: There is no dog drop for this race. Drivers must have the means to safely carry dogs in the sled bag. Dogs cannot be led behind a sled or loose. Drivers will be responsible for any veterinary fees incurred by an injured, sick, or expired dog.
Mistreatment of dogs is prohibited: Mistreatment of dogs will cause immediate disqualification. Such an action will also be reported to all major race organizations. Mistreatment of dogs includes, but is not limited to drugs that may suppress the signs of illness or injury, striking or kicking of any sort, or rough handling. Signal whips and dogs requiring muzzles are not permitted. The race marshal will have absolute authority over this matter.
Expired dogs: Any dog death that occurs during the race results in immediate scratch or withdrawal, with the exception the death was caused solely by unforeseeable or external forces. Any dog that expires on the trail must be placed inside the sledbag and taken by the musher to Start/Finish. An expired dog report must be reported to the TRDMA immediately.
Outside assistance: The following is considered outside assistance:
- No planned help is allowed in the race.
- Handlers and help may assist in guiding the team to the start and from the finish area.
- No driver will accept any assistance from a motorized vehicle, including pacing.
- Pacing or help from a team outside the race is prohibited.
- A lost team will not be disqualified if the driver regains control of it, provided the team and driver complete the course and comply with rules.
- A driver may receive assistance from another driver in recovering a lost team.
- Outside assistance will be allowed only if a team is unmanageable. The race marshal’s will have final decision concerning this ruling.
Protests: A driver may protest any action of a competitor that he/she feels is contrary to the intent of these rules. To be recognized as a legitimate protest, the infraction(s) observed by a musher must be presented to a race official in writing at the musher’s earliest convenience, and in no case more than twenty-four (24) hours after a musher finishes the race. Protest forms can be provided by race officials.
Appeals: Drivers may appeal Race officials’ decisions or penalties assessed by submitting, in writing, an account of the circumstances surrounding the decision or penalty being appealed. The appeal must be submitted to a race official no more than 24 hours after the incident or driver’s race finish, whichever is later. An Appeals Board will be convened within 24 hours of the appeal being received. The Board will consist of an Association Director, the race marshall, the TRDMA president and, if veterinary issues are involved, a Race Vet. An informal hearing will be held at that time. Decisions of the Appeals Board will be final. Appeal forms can be provided by race officials.
Time penalties: Any time penalties accrued will be applied at the finish by the race marshall.
Bibs: All race bibs must be turned in to race officials at the end of the race. Inability to do so will result in a possible time penalty and fee as well as restricted participation in future TRDMA events.
Withdrawal from the race: A driver who would like to withdraw may do so at any time. If you live in the local area and feel your team can not make it to the finish line, please let officials know right away that you’ve chosen to go home. If you do not live in the area and choose to scratch alongside the road and be picked up by your handler you must let race officials know ASAP.
Good Sportsmanship: All drivers shall conduct themselves in a courteous and honorable manner at all times. Officials, media, volunteers and fans are all equal participants in the race and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain a courteous rapport with them at all times. Failure to do so could result in restricted participation in future TRDMA events.
The 2023 Solstice Invitational 20 Race Rules
The 2023 TRDMA Solstice Invitational 20 Sled Dog Race will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2022. Start time is tentatively at 12PM, approximately 15 minutes after the 50 Mile start.
Race start and finish is at Pleasant Valley Store (23 Chena Hot Springs Rd).
Qualifications:
- All drivers must be members in good standing with the TRDMA along with holding a current membership with TRDMA. Memberships are available for $30 for an Individual Membership, $50 for a Kennel Membership (two members) or $75 for a Family Membership (two adults and up to four kids). Participants will be prompted upon sign up to pay for a membership if they do not currently have one.
- Drivers must be 13 years or older in order to run this race, unless accompanied by an adult. Minors will need a minor liability form signed by a legal parent or guardian on race day.
- No one convicted of animal abuse or neglect will be eligible to participate in any TRDMA race.
- TRDMA holds the right to honor a censure from any other sled dog racing organization.
Limitation of entries: The maximum number of entries accepted will be 25. After 25 spots have been filled, a waiting list for up to 10 entries will be available for mushers who have signed up.
Fees: Entry fee for the 20 mile race is $40. If there are still open slots on race day, race day sign-ups will be available for a fee of $50.
Registration: Registration will open on Sunday, October 22. Teams will need to register online through the following link: LINK HERE. Registration will close on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 11:59pm. If any slots remain open on race day, day of registration will be allowed. There will be no sign-ups by postal mail. All fees (both membership and race fee) are due at the time of sign-up. Sign ups are on a first come, first served, basis.
Race winnings: Prizes will be given out at the end of race and calculated depending on class. (i.e childrens, adults, skijor, bikejor, etc.)
Race cancellation: If the temperature at the Pleasant Valley Store is colder than -44 degrees Fahrenheit at 9:00 A.M on Saturday, December 17,2022, the race will be postponed or canceled at the discretion of the race officials. After the race has started, it will continue regardless of temperature.
Vaccinations: All dogs must be current on Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus and +/- Parainfluenza as per the vaccine protocols recommended by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) unless directed otherwise by your veterinarian and the AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) which can be found HERE. All dogs must be vaccinated against Rabies as per CDC guidelines unless directed otherwise by your veterinarian. Proof of current vaccines above must be presented at the time of check-in on race day. Copies of Rabies certificates and purchase receipts for Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus and +/- Parainfluenza are acceptable as proof. If your veterinarian has directed against certain vaccines, a letter from your veterinarian must be presented at the time of check-in. While vaccination against Bordetella is highly recommended, TRDMA is not considering it mandatory at this time.
Equipment and Dog Requirements
Equipment: Participants must use a Fat Bike, ski’s, or a dog sled. Details of each can be found below:
Skijoring: Ski’s should be rated for cross-country use. Ski’s, boots, bindings and poles must be in functional working order. Ski’s may not have metal edges. Skijoring teams must be attached via harness and tow-line to the skijoring belt in a safe and secure manner, leaving the skijorers hands free of the line. The line length shall be a minimum of seven feet and a maximum of twelve feet.
Bikejoring: In order to maintain our trails in the most courteous way possible, only fat-tire bikes will be allowed. Tires must be 3.8 to 5 inches in width. Bicycles must be in safe working order with operational brakes, suspension and steering ability. The line has to be fixed to the front of the bike through a proper installation which may not be longer than the wheel of the bike. The line must be shock absorbing and may not exceed 8.2 ft when fully extended.
Dog Sled: Dog Sled must be in safe operating order with an operating sled bag, snow hook and brake.
Dogs: A minimum of 1 dog and a maximum of 3 dogs will be accepted for those who are skijoring or bikejoring. Those with dog teams may run a minimum of 6 dogs and a maximum of 8 dogs. All dogs must wear a padded harness and a flat nylon collar that does not restrict air flow. In teams of two or more, there must be a neckline connecting the two dogs together. No nippy dogs, or muzzles will be permitted.
Race Day
Check-in: Participants must check in with race officials on race day anytime between 9 and 9:30am inside Pleasant Valley Store.
Start Position: Starting positions will be in the order of check-in within each class.
Mandatory Driver’s meeting: Attendance at the drivers’ meeting is mandatory. Any driver not in attendance is subject to penalty or disqualification. The drivers’ meeting will be held with the musher meeting for the 50 Mile race. For the 20 Mile race, dog teams will leave first, followed by skijor teams, then bikejor teams.
Starting interval: Teams will leave the starting line at two-minute intervals. Any team that cannot leave the starting line within one minute of its designated time will be required to start two minutes after the scheduled departure of the final team. Any team that cannot leave the starting line within 30 minutes of the last team’s scheduled departure will be disqualified.
Following the trail: All teams must follow the trail as marked. Deviations or shorter routes will result in disqualification. Every effort will be made to keep trail markers in place, but TRDMA cannot be responsible for acts of nature or malicious acts. Two stakes on the side of the trail the turn is on will mark turns; e.g. a left turn will have two markers side-by-side on the left hand side of the trail; a right hand turn will have markers on the right. Intersections that are to be traveled straight through will have a single marker on the right and left side of the trail. All intersections will have confidence markers past the intersection.
Calling Trail: TO PASS: yell trail with plenty of time, go by on the same side as your dog/dogs, watch ski poles, ski hard to pull away.
BEING PASSED: Reel in your dog/dogs and stay on the same side of the trail as your dog/dogs. You may stop but you don’t need to. Let the “passer” pull away before you chase. Do not “leapfrog” more than once.
Mistreatment of dogs is prohibited: Mistreatment of dogs will cause immediate disqualification. Such an action will also be reported to all major race organizations. Mistreatment of dogs includes, but is not limited to drugs that may suppress the signs of illness or injury, striking or kicking of any sort, or rough handling. Signal whips and dogs requiring muzzles are not permitted. The race marshal will have absolute authority over this matter.
Protests: A driver may protest any action of a competitor that he/she feels is contrary to the intent of these rules. To be recognized as a legitimate protest, the infraction(s) observed by a musher must be presented to a race official in writing at the musher’s earliest convenience, and in no case more than twenty-four (24) hours after a participant finishes the race. Protest forms can be provided by race officials.
Appeals: Drivers may appeal Race officials’ decisions or penalties assessed by submitting, in writing, an account of the circumstances surrounding the decision or penalty being appealed. The appeal must be submitted to a race official no more than 24 hours after the incident or driver’s race finish, whichever is later. An Appeals Board will be convened within 24 hours of the appeal being received. The Board will consist of an Association Director, the race marshall, the TRDMA president and, if veterinary issues are involved, a Race Vet. An informal hearing will be held at that time. Decisions of the Appeals Board will be final. Appeal forms can be provided by race officials.
Time penalties: Any time penalties accrued will be applied at the finish by the race marshall.
Bibs: All race bibs must be turned in to race officials at the end of the race. Inability to do so will result in a possible time penalty and fee as well as restricted participation in future TRDMA events.
Withdrawal from the race: A driver who would like to withdraw may do so at any time. If you live in the local area and feel your team can not make it to the finish line, please let officials know right away that you’ve chosen to go home. If you do not live in the area and choose to scratch alongside the road and be picked up by your handler you must let race officials know ASAP.
Good Sportsmanship: All drivers shall conduct themselves in a courteous and honorable manner at all times. Officials, media, volunteers and fans are all equal participants in the race and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain a courteous rapport with them at all times. Failure to do so could result in restricted participation in future TRDMA events.