Mush Get a Move on!

Emily Rothery answers a call of the wild by joining the husky racers of Grizedale.

- Emily Rothery

HIGH above Coniston Water there are howls, sounding uncannily like wolves, echoing eerily through the mist-shrouded forest. More than 100 huskies and malamutes have gathered with their handlers preparing to take on the two-day challenge of a sled dog rallying in Grizedale.

The four and a half mile course is undulating and muddy but the dogs are raring to go and their handlers urge these canine athletes on as they power along the forest tracks. I have heard of one handler who sings to his racing hounds but today there are only enthusiastic whoops and hollers.

Fifty teams have entered the Alaskan Malamute Club of the UK event, including a junior team and the atmosphere seems to be one of camaraderie rather than competitiveness although, of course, they all want to win.

The competition is split into classes based on the number of dogs per team and their breed. The teams run against the clock rather than against each other and are timed over the two days with the quickest being the winner. The largest team has six dogs.

Colin and Andrea Brighouse have travelled from Blackburn to race. ‘Our dogs are all friendly and approachable but, once their harnesses are on, they will know that it’s time to run. It’s what they’re hard-wired to do,’ says Colin.