THERE might have been a shortage of snow but dogs more comfortable in the freezing conditions of Siberia were ready to pull their owners on specially-designed sleighs through Furness woodland at up to 25mph.
The Mail, on Monday, March 25 in 2002, noted: "Visitors to Grizedale Forest were treated to dog racing with a difference at the weekend.
"The Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain returned to the forest for its annual Lake District rally after a year's absence.
"Last year's race was cancelled because of the foot-and-mouth outbreak and organisers and racers were keen to get back on track."
Rally organiser Alan Worsley said: "Grizedale is an excellent place to hold time trials.
"It's a very exhilarating sport for the owners and their pets.
"The dogs are barking like mad and raring to go once they're fastened into their harnesses."
The article noted: "Hundreds of dogs from all over the UK charged through the forest at speeds of up to 25mph, pulling their mushers - their owners - in specially designed three-wheel sleighs."
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