When the Trans Canada Trail section was opened locally, runners, walkers, bicyclists and horseback riders carried the ceremonial torch along the trail. From Pinewood to the Teepee Lakes Resort on the Princeton-Summerland Road, the torch was carried via dog team.
Paula and Richard Pateman have hosted a yearly ‘Dryland Fun Run’ along the Trans Canada Trail for the past five years.
The fun run stems from a dog sledding sport called ‘Dryland Mushing or Urban Trail Mushing’ that the Pateman’s practice locally.
Instead of sleds on the snow, dogs train with scooters, training carts or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
They host the yearly race at their home along the trail as a weekend of fun and friendship with friends from across Canada and the U.S.A.
“It’s a weekend of fun and great training time as well,” says Paula Pateman of the event. “This is a wonderful way to use our trail and enjoy our area.”
On Saturday, Nov. 9 the Pateman’s will host the 2013 Fun Run and extend an invitation to locals to come out to meet the mushers and their teams.
It is advised that visitors not approach dog teams without the mushers permission and that pet dogs are best left at home to avoid any complications while you visit. Teams will start out at Pinewood and arrive intermittently at the Teepee Lakes Resort Cafe beginning at noon, where the mushers will be happy to talk to you about the sport and introduce you to their teams.
For directions, take the Princeton-Summerland Road (Hwy. 40) to the community of Bankier. You will see the base resort and store/cafe on your left.