Four days, 38 mushers, 160 dogs - the annual Wanaka Sled Dog Festival begins at the Snow Farm today.
The event is now in its 20th year and has been organised by the Dunedin-based Southern Regions Sled Dog Club.
Club member Jon Pinney, of Dunedin, is in charge of collecting entries and said yesterday the festival organisers were thrilled Canadian champion sled dog musher Karen Ramstead had agreed to be the race marshall.
Ramstead has a wealth of experience from the Iditarod and Yukon Quest races.
Another festival highlight was being granted New Zealand sled dog championship status by the New Zealand Federation of Sled Dog Sports, Mr Pinney said.
Top entrants this year include Wanaka's Todd Hessey and Alexandra's Paul Sharpe.
The first race is today at 4.30pm. Racing starts tomorrow and on Saturday and Sunday at 7.30am.
Distances (dependent on conditions) are about 4km-6km for one and two dogs and up to 12km for teams of between three and eight dogs.
