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2010 Punderson Sled Dog Classic
Races draw hundreds to Punderson State Park
NEWBURY TOWNSHIP — The operatic-like yowling of dozens of canines set the stage for spirited competition Saturday during the annual dog sled races at Punderson State Park.
The dogs seemed to be getting pumped up for a romp through the snow, mixing new competitors with 30-year veterans during the event sponsored by the Siberian Husky Club of Greater Cleveland.
The annual part of the dog sled races can be a bit of a misnomer as the race hasn’t occurred in at least four years because of a lack of snow at Punderson State Park. That was not a problem Saturday as plenty of the white stuff created tightly packed trails.
“I’ve been working with Siberian huskies since the early 1970s,” said Jack Schmoll of Berea. He said he loves working with the dogs and enjoys their enthusiasm.
“They love this more than I do,” Schmoll said. He said he gets out the sled and they just go crazy.
“I just came to help,” said Karen Pajestky, of West Farmington, while timing teams at the finish line. She said she is normally competing, but was unable to this year so she volunteered to help.
“I love everything about it. I enjoy working with the dogs. They are much nicer than some people I know,” Pajestky said. She said she took in a Siberian husky 17 years ago and the rest is history.
The Collier family makes the trip from Delta, Ohio, near the Indiana border, every year the event is held. “We have a lot of friends over here,” said Mike Collier while assisting his wife in the timing process.
Collier said he and his family usually run about six races a year in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Thirty four teams participated in the races that started around 10:30 a.m. and continued well into the afternoon. There were a variety of categories including six-dog teams, four-dog teams, two-dog teams and a100 meter race for children.
“This is great. There is a real synergy here,” said Steve Dudek of Cleveland. He said the club helps maintain the trails throughout the year to help make the event possible.
Dudek said park workers also do a lot of work on the trails and the event. Park rangers were located at a variety of spots on the course to control traffic at trail crossing points.
Bobbie Palm, president of the husky club, said a lot of the organization has to be done at the last minute because of weather concerns. She said there have been years when there was plenty of snow on the Wednesday of the event, but a Friday rain wiped everything away.
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