The annual event brings out racers from across the country to Kalkaska.
KALKASKA -- The cold temperatures and blowing snow didn't get in the way of the 33rd annual Winterfest dog sled races in Kalkaska.
Instead hundreds of dedicated racers from across the country took part in the winter event.
The miles of blustery conditions don't seem to bother the four legged racers or their owners one bit.
"This isn't too bad, I mean the winds kind of bad but we've raced 25 below before. If it gets much colder than that, it's too cold for the dogs," says dog sled racer Jason Rodenhouse.
"You have no visibility as a driver, you're just dependent on the dogs, sometimes you can't even see them but they know where they're going," says 10th year sprint racer, Tony Wolf.
They keep going year after year for the Winterfest international dog sled races. This year 89 teams from around the country are competing, as crowds in the hundreds look on.
"We have dog mushers from all over the United States as well as Canada...It's a family sport, very oriented for kids as well as adults...they're renting motels, gas stations, food it's always a big plus for economy and we need it," says Winterfest board member Mary Dufford.
Besides the economic impact, it's the racers themselves who say they come back every winter to northern Michigan because they enjoy the sport.
"It's stress relief when you're out there. It's a way to let go and be in the woods with your dog. It's just an amazing feeling," says dog sled racer Danielle Naidow.
"A lot of it's the people. The other mushers make it what it is, if it wasn't for that it wouldn't be worth doing," says Wolf.
Some says it's worth doing over and over again, even during the sub zero temperatures.
"It just kind of gets into your blood and you can't see not doing it more....It's a big commitment keeping 50 dogs year round, training them 3 months before the race season, but we just enjoy it a lot," says Rodenhouse.
Winterfest continues Sunday, January 18th. For more information on race times you can check the Winterfest website at: http://www.upnorthlife.com/kalkaska/winterfest.asp
