SOUTH FORK — The South Fork business community welcomed the idea, started prepping last summer, wished for snow, groomed snow and committed dozens of volunteers to make the Woof Creek Classic sled dog and skijor races a success at the Rio Grande Club on Presidents Day Weekend.
Rocky Mountain Sled Dog Club President Michael Sullivan presented the idea almost a year ago, and after the final race on Sunday, Feb 17, he credited local support.
“This was my first time as a race organizer,” Sullivan admitted, “and the local help made it so easy for me.” Sullivan singled out Rio Grande Club General Manager Todd Small, Curt Miller from Powder Busters for trail preparation and maintenance and Kris Steffens for extensive coordination through the Friends of South Fork.
“I came out twice this summer, a few weeks ago and last Wednesday,” Sullivan said, “and every time, we got stuff done. Each trip has been worthwhile because of help from Curt [Miller], Todd, Kris and other people.”
Starting with a dog-handlers meeting at Two Rivers BBQ on Friday night, Feb. 15, the Woof Creek Classic introduced locals to experts from the sled dog racing circuit. Sullivan provided details for the weekend, and handlers learned how to work together. They also met the emcee for the weekend, Don Spencer.
Clear skies danced dos-y-dos with flurries on Saturday morning, and groomers perfected and re-corrected the course from the clubhouse to Alder Creek Road and back to hay-bale lined tee number 10. The three-mile loop did not meet sanction qualifications, deeming the inaugural Woof  Creek Classic a “fun run.” But a $5,000 prize purse buys a lot of fun, so the race was officially competitive. On skis and sleds, some racers pushed the limits for turns, tumbled, turned around immediately and continued in tandem with their dogs. They flew atop the snow.
At least 35 South Fork business owners and organizations contributed cash and more to reward the winners for delighting a triple-digit crowd of curious locals. Sponsors included the following:
Two Rivers BBQ, Tiny Timbers Bistro, Goodnight Construction, Rio Grande Club, Outdoor Depot, Rocky Mountain Ski & Raft, Network Funding/Joe Ford, Del Norte Bank, South Fork Lumber Yard, SLVREC/Ciello, Twin Pines Motor Sports, Lazy Bear Cabins, Diana Peto with Kabin Keepers, Riverside Meadows, Riverbend Resort, Arbor House Inn Bed & Breakfast, Peacock Meadows Riverside RV Park & Campground, Grandview Cabins & RV Resort, Chinook Lodge, Ute Bluff Lodge, Ramon’s Mexican Restaurant, Doc’s Outdoor Sports, Rainbow Grocery, 8200 Sports, Steffens & Co Realty, Blue Eyed Bear Boutique, Big R, Cabin Wilderness & Home Accents, Community Banks of Colorado – South Fork, the Mountain Lighthouse & Gallery, Curt Miller-Valley Realty, Shampooch, the Cabin Mountain Home Accents, South Fork Lumber Yard, Land Properties Realty and the Friends of South Fork.