Burke Dog Sled Race

On Saturday January 29th and Sunday January 30th East Burke was the host to the fifth annual Sled Dog race. An event that many may have found fascinating. The race is a fundraising event hosted by the Wafer Family Foundation along with the Clark Gillies Foundation in order to raise money for children of the area. The races founder, George Wafer says that he witnessed a sled dog race some six years ago and thought that it would be a good way to raise money.

Dog Teams came from all over. Including all over New England, Canada, and even a team that was from North Carolina. There were close to 1000 dogs in East Burke all ready and born to run. NHL hall of famer Clark Gillies, one of the hosts of the event, said that the dogs just want to run that it takes four of five guys to hold them back when you hook them up to the at the starting line.
There were numerous events in the two days with races that could be up to 20 miles in length with over a dozen dogs pulling sleds. There was even an event that had younger spectators participating in the festivities.
With all the barking and howling it was evident that the experience was all about man's best friend.