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MUSHERS GET READY TO RACE IN SOUTHWEST COLORADO

January 19, 2007
Editor and/or Contributors

Beautiful valleys, stunning peaks, lush pine forests, and incredible views await 30 teams of mushers at the Third Annual Directory Plus Mancos Mush – Silverton Slush Sled Dog Race, February 9-11, 2007, where world-class mushers will compete for a $10,000 purse. The race will be held in three stages, including two 40-mile races through the rugged wilderness on the western side of the La Plata Mountains, and a 20-mile race at the top of Molas Pass. The two 40-mile races scheduled for February 9 and 10, will be based out of Mancos, Colorado. The final 20-mile leg of the race will end in Silverton, CO, on February 11, with an awards ceremony and lunch. This beautiful part of Colorado has brought mushers and sled dog race fans from across the country, with both mushers and spectators traveling to past races from the Yukon, Oregon, California, and Virginia. This high altitude race climbs from 8,200 to almost 12,000 feet from Mancos, and from 9,000 to 12,000, feet in Silverton. Mushers can expect big climbs and fast downhills during the race. The race is operating under a special use permit in the San Juan National Forest (USDA). Spectators are requested to leave their own dogs at home, as the sled dogs are canine athletes at work! The Mancos Mush – Silverton Slush also has an educational component. An educational coordinator brings mushing to school children in the surrounding areas in an up-close and personal way, through educational presentations that illustrate how this ancient mode of winter transportation works.The financial beneficiary of this year’s event is The Medicine Horse Center in Mancos. The Center offers equine-assisted therapeutic services to people of all ages with physical, cognitive, emotional, or age-related challenges. The towns of Mancos and Silverton are located in beautiful Southwestern Colorado. Mancos is a cozy, laid-back town where the West Still Lives. Victorian architecture, western adventure, and the great outdoors abound in Mancos. To learn more about Mancos, including options for lodging and dining, visit them at www.mancosvalley.com. The town of Silverton is nestled high in the heart of the San Juan Mountains in a mountain valley at 9,318 feet. Silverton combines supreme natural beauty with magnificent Victorian charm. To plan your visit to Silverton, visit their website atwww.silvertoncolorado.com.For more information on the Mancos Mush – Silverton Slush Sled Dog Race, please visit the race website at www.mancosmush.com.