Solstice Invitational

Races Start: Pleasant Valley Community Center (7260 Anders Ave)
Finish Banquet: 4pm Sunday, Dec. 22 at Pleasant Valley Community Center (7260 Anders Ave)

Race Qualifications:

●  Membership: All participants in any class must be members in good standing with

TRDMA and hold a current TRDMA membership.
●  Age Requirement (50-mile): Mushers in the 50-mile race must be at least 18 years of

age by the start of the race. Exceptions for Juniors can be made by the race organizers with one recommendation from an experienced musher and with TRDMA Board approval.
●  Junior Participation (20-mile and 3-mile): Participants under the age of 18 are welcome in the 20-mile relay and 3-mile class, provided they have the written consent of a parent or guardian. For the 20-mile relay, at least one team member must be 18 years of age or older. Parent/guardian contact information must be provided at registration.
●  Background Check: No individual convicted of animal abuse or neglect will be eligible to participate in any TRDMA race. TRDMA reserves the right to conduct background checks and reserves the right to refuse entry based on the findings of such checks.
●  External Sanctions: TRDMA recognizes and may honor censures or suspensions imposed by other sled dog racing organizations.

Registration and Entry Fees:
●  Entry fee for the 50 Mile is $85 and entry fee for the 20 Mile relay is $30 per person (teams of two).
●  Registration can be found on the TRDMA website and will close at midnight Wednesday December 12, 2024.
●  Registration is on a first come, first served basis.

Refunds, Substitutions, Withdrawals, and Switching Races:
● Participants that withdraw prior to the race start will forfeit their entire entry fee. Substitutions associated with the same kennel for the 50 mile will be permitted as long as all membership requirements are met. For the 20 mile relay and 3 mile fun run, substitutions are permitted, as long as all membership requirements are met.

Limit of Entries: The maximum number of teams will be 20 teams in the 50 Mile race, 10 teams (20 participants in the 20 Mile relay race and 20 participants in the 3 Mile fun run.

Finish Social: Award presentations will be held at 6pm the day of the race at the Pleasant Valley Community Center.

Race Cancellation: If the temperature at the start line is colder than -44°F at 10:00 am on the day of the race, races will be postponed or canceled at the discretion of the race officials. After the race has started, it will continue regardless of temperatures.
Start Positions: Start positions will occur based on the order of registration per category.

Start Interval: Teams will leave the starting line at two-minute intervals. Any team that cannot leave the
starting line within one minute of its designated time will be required to start two minutes after the

scheduled departure of the final team of the respective race. Any team that cannot leave the starting line
within 30 minutes of the last team’s scheduled departure will be disqualified.

I. General Principles:

●  Safety First: The safety of participants, volunteers, the public, and the well-being of any

animals involved are paramount. All participants are expected to act responsibly,

considerately, and follow the directions of race officials.
●  Fair Play & Sportsmanship: All participants are expected to compete fairly and exhibit

good sportsmanship towards fellow racers, volunteers, officials, and the public. Unsportsmanlike conduct, including but not limited to verbal abuse, physical intimidation, or deliberate interference with other racers, will not be tolerated.
●  Respect for the Trail and Environment: All participants must stay on designated, clearly marked trails. Minimize your impact by leaving the trail and surrounding environment as you found it. This includes packing out all trash.
●  Ethical Treatment of Animals: In events involving animals (e.g., dog mushing), humane treatment is essential. No form of cruel or inhumane treatment, including intimidation, excessive force, neglect, or deprivation of necessary care, will be tolerated. Participants are solely responsible for the health and welfare of their animals at all times, including before, during, and after the race.
●  Proof of Vaccinations: All dogs must be current on Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, +/- Parainfluenza, and Bordetella as per the vaccine protocols recommended by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) unless directed otherwise by your veterinarian and the AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association). All dogs must be vaccinated against Rabies as per CDC guidelines unless directed otherwise by your veterinarian. Proof of current vaccines above must be presented at bib pick up on the morning of the race. Copies of Rabies certificates and purchase receipts for Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, +/- Parainfluenza, and Bordetella are acceptable as proof. If your veterinarian has directed against certain vaccines, a letter from your veterinarian must be presented at the time of check-in.

II. Race Specific Rules:

A. 3-Mile Multi-Sport Race & 20-Mile Relay:

Dog Participation (Relay): Relay teams may include a minimum of 1 and maximum of 6 dogs per leg. At least one human team member must accompany the dog(s) on each leg of the relay. Teams must be unique for each leg of the relay (meaning a different combination of human and
dog participants for each leg). Participants can not use the same dogs for each leg; however dogs could be swapped out to change the composition of the team. All dogs must be leashed and under the participants control at all times.

Dog Participation (3-Mile): Each skijor/bikejor/canicross participant may use a minimum of one and a maximum of two dogs. Mushing participants may use a maximum of 4 dogs.

Handlers: Participants are responsible for the control and management of their dog(s) at all times. Handlers are permitted if needed at start/finish areas and should be supplied by participants if needed.

Passing: Participants must announce their intention to pass ("Passing on your left/right") and provide adequate space when overtaking other racers. Slower participants should yield to faster participants when safe to do so. After being passed, keep your team slow so as to allow the passer to keep the momentum and to avoid a hopscotch scenario where the teams keep passing each other; this only slows down both participants. As the passer you should have confidence that your team will successfully pass and still maintain a faster pace of the team being passed. If that is not the case, don’t attempt to pass.

Transition Areas (Relay): Designated transition areas will be provided for relay teams. Team members must tag their partners within these designated areas. Teams are required to supply a ladle/dipper to be used as a handoff baton. Dippers will be flagged with marking tape at the pre-race meeting. Teams without their designated dipper at the finish will be fined a 5 minute time penalty.

B. 50-Mile Dog Mushing Race:

Dog Care: Mushers are responsible for the health and welfare of their dogs throughout the race. This includes providing adequate food, water, rest, and veterinary care as needed. A pre-race veterinary check will be optional.

Dropped Dogs: Injured or exhausted dogs must be safely secured inside the sled and carried to the finish line.

Drugs: The use of performance-enhancing drugs is prohibited. Medications for pre-existing conditions require pre-race veterinary approval and must be disclosed at registration. Drugs that may suppress the signs of illness or injury may not be used, put in drop bags, or carried in the sled.

Expired Dogs: Any dog that expires during the race for any reason must be taken to the start/finish and reported immediately to Race Officials. The death of any dog will result in the withdrawal or disqualification of the musher, and/or possible prohibition from entering future TRDMA races. The Race Official may require a necropsy be conducted on the expired dog, any fees that occur are at the expense of the owner/musher.
Handlers: Participants are responsible for the control and management of their dogs at all times. Handlers are permitted if needed at start/finish areas and should be supplied by participants if needed.

Mandatory Gear: Mushers must carry mandatory gear, including:

●  Sled equipped with a standard brake up to Iditarod Trail Committee standards
●  Cooker with 3-gallon capacity
●  Cooking gear, including fuel sufficient for at least one feeding
●  Food sufficient for at least one feeding of musher and team
●  Cold weather sleeping bag
●  Booties, 8 per dog, on the dogs or in the sled
●  Hand ax with an overall length of at least 22 inches
●  Headlamp
●  Cable mainline, cable inside poly rope mainline, or an iron rope mainline
●  Snow hook (2 suggested)
●  Assigned starting bib, which must be visible at all times

Number of Dogs: Mushers must have a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 12 dogs. All dogs at the start must be accounted for at the finish.

Outside Assistance: Outside assistance, other than from race officials and veterinarians, is prohibited. This includes pacing by motorized vehicles or receiving help from non-race participants.

Passing: Calling Trail: Respect your fellow racers. If you are being overtaken by another team within 50 feet of your team and the musher is calling trail you must slow your team and allow the approaching team to pass. It is your responsibility to ensure your team isn’t interfering with the other team while passing and to have your sled pulled over as far as you can out of the way. The passed team must remain behind at least 5 minutes before asking for the trail right-of-way to re-pass.

Rest Stops: Mushers are expected to finish by 8 PM, otherwise no time will be assigned and they will be withdrawn from the race. Mushers that are still on the trail after 8 PM are no longer covered by the race and will continue at their own accord.

III. Protests and Appeals:

Protests: Any participant who witnesses a rule violation can file a protest with a race official within 24 hours of the incident. Protests must be submitted in writing. The TDMA board will evaluate all protests.

Appeals: Decisions made by race officials and/or the TDMA board can be appealed to the TDMA board. Appeals must be submitted in writing within 24 hours of the official's decision.
IV. Disqualification:

Violation of any of these rules may result in time penalties and/or disqualification from the race.

V. Race Officials' Discretion:

Race officials have the final authority in all matters relating to the race, including interpretation and enforcement of these rules. Decisions made by race officials are final and binding.

VI. Acceptance of Rules:

These rules are designed to ensure a safe, fair, and enjoyable race experience for everyone involved. Please review them carefully. By participating in these races, you agree to abide by these rules and acknowledge that race officials have the authority to enforce them.

VII. Definitions:
Musher: A participant registered in the 50-mile dog mushing race.
Participant: Anyone registered in any of the race events (3-mile, 20-mile relay, or 50-mile).

Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.