Bruce Trampe- Race Marshall, Byran Pease- Dog Race Director and Elaine Hems -Winner.

True Grit Award Winner Shelby Cook

1st Logan McDonald

2nd Daniel Crow

3rd Quinn Perrino

1st Logan McDonald

2nd Shalee Custer

3rd Tiny

Meet the Mushers of 2007 Trappers' Festival as well Extra Pics

2007 Results

Tiny was a big hit, and he did try to run after the dogs in the World Championship, but the officials ruled that he didn't meet the full qualifications.

  See Race Rules for details

For the 48th year, this bronze Labatt Trophy designed by Clarence Tillenius, renowned wildlife artist, will be at stake.

A Brief History of the Dog Derby

From the scrap book of Roy H. Johnson

    The Trappers' Festival goes back to the year 1915 and a handful of dog lovers who argued the worth of the Northern Husky dog.  One day in 1915 a group of oldtimers got together at the old Opasquia Hotel to talk about the possibilities of staging a competitive dog race.  Northern Manitoba in those early days was ideal for developing racing dogs.  In fact Northern Manitoba dogs in years to come were to be regarded as world beaters.  The object of the first race was to develop a finer breed of sled dog and to call attention to the outside world the fact that Northern Manitoba was rich in mining and natural resources.

    The first annual race, in 1916 was formulated by Grant Rice, editor of The Pas Herald of the era.  In the race of 1920, Walter Goyne, who was born in Ruby, Alaska, made history when he came out of the frozen hinterland of Alaska to compete in the early Le Pas Dog Derby.  When Mr. Goyne arrived in The Pas that day many years ago, he discovered that all the local mushers were using an old style toboggan for racing, with their dogs hitched in tandem style.  Goyne brought with him the famous Alaskan dog sled with his dogs hitched in the now famous Alaskan hitch, that is, dogs are two abreast with the leader centering the team in front. Northern Manitobans of that era were quite skeptical of Goyne's sled and "new" hitch and in fact gave him little chance of winning that race of 1920.  But when the race was over, and Goyne had won by an easy margin, the skeptics were forced to eat humble pie.  Today Goyne's Alaskan hitch and sled is being used by all famous mushers in Northern manitoba, the East and the St. Paul Winter Carnival whose dog races date back to 1889.

    The race of 1920 which Goyne won with ease, will always be remembered as one the Northland's greatest.  Consider the fact that Goyne had a crippled foot which forced him to ride on the sleigh more than his rivals thought best in a long grueling non stop race.  You see unlike today's race, which is broken up into three daily laps, Goyne's time it was 140 miles to Cranberry Portage or Flin Flon and back non-stop. 

    Another item Goyne introduced to the North was the parka.  Before he came to The Pas, the parka was unheard of.  It was while visiting at the home of Mrs. E. W. Bridges that the parka was first introduced as the only type of winter clothing to adequately protect the upper part of the body from the freezing winds of the Northland.  Mrs. Bridges took Goyne's parka and using it as a model she made smaller replicas for her own children, one of whom later made a great name for himself in dog racing in The Pas derbies and those staged in the east.  His name, Earl Bridges.  Today the parka is a standard part of every northerner's winter wardrobe.

    After Goyne's first big win in 1920, he had one ambition, namely to win the race three times thus receiving the Derby Cup.  In 1921, he entered again but was forced out when his 13 year old lead dog failed him.  Ironically that was his last race locally.  In the fall of 1922 Walter Goyne drowned in Moose Lake.  The man who found Goyne's body was another well know Northern figure, the late Tom Lamb of The Pas.  When Goyne's body arrived at The Pas, The Pas Herald records the incident as follows: "It was a silent procession up Fischer Avenue..and many town dogs fell in with Goyne's pups.  Not a bark or growl was heard, it seemed as if the four footed animals understood the meaning of procession."

Photo courtesy of Sharain Jones/ SAM WALLER MUSEUM/ PH2.96x

The Pas Dog Derby started in 1912 and continued until 1931. During the Depression and war years, the races were discontinued due to economic and social pressures of the period. In 1948, the Northern Manitoba Trappers' Festival was incorporated and the dog races were held. Trappers' Festival has been an annual event since that time with dog races as an integral and feature attraction of the Festival.

The 2008 World Championship Dog Race marks 73 years of dog races located in The Pas, Manitoba, Canada. The big race consists of three laps of 35 miles per day with more than $40,000.00 in prize monies. The race draws contestants from all over Canada and the United States.

2008 represents the eightth year of affiliation with the International Federation of Sled Dog Sports (IFSS World Cup). The World Cup Series is based on races from regions such as Central Ees, Yukon, Western and Eastern Canada, Western USA to Michigan and Japan. The World Cup includes approximately 30 events in 6 countries. Its primary mandate is to promote interest in sled dog sports by conducting international competitions and educating the public and its mushers for such competitions.

The World Cup Series has a Website at http://www.sleddogsport.com/ where results can be viewed.

The 2008 World Championship Dog Race signifies the 61th Annual Northern Manitoba Trappers' Festival.

 Prizes, Entry Form, Prohibited Substances

Mushers’ Briefing Banquet:
This is an evening dedicated to a discussion on the rules and regulations for the registered mushers in the World Championship Dog Race. The race route is reviewed, the requirements and expectations are reviewed, and the mushers are introduced. If a Calcutta is held it will be started at the Briefing Banquet. All mushers will receive their bib numbers and copies of the rules and regulations, the drug requirements, the information on drug testing, the veterinary’s report and any questions will be answered. The Kinsmen Club of The Pas who operate the races will be recognized and the Dog Race Chairman and the Race Marshall will be introduced.

This event will be held at 6:00 PM Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 following the Dog Tagging, in the Kin Centre on 324 Ross Avenue. Stew, bannock and salad will be served. Registered mushers receive a complimentary ticket for this dinner. This event is open to the public and tickets are available at Festival Headqua