50 years of sled dog racing: An anniversary full of speed in Todtmoos!

50 years of sled dog racing: An anniversary full of speed in Todtmoos!

The venerable sled dog race in Todtmoos is celebrating an important anniversary this year: a spectacle of speed, team spirit and natural experience has been offered here for 50 years. The race usually takes place in the last week of January. But this year, due to unreliable snow conditions, the date for the anniversary celebrations was moved to October so as not to leave the competition to the weather gods. The autumn version of the sled dog race was now held for the third time and the anticipation was great.

On Sunday, October 26th, the participants and their dogs set off through the picturesque Todtmoos spa park, also known as the Waldhaus-Wehra Trail. Around 50 participants and 77 dogs were in action, including the experienced musher Carolin Engler from Hornberg, who covered the one and a half kilometer route with her four Siberian huskies in an impressive 3 minutes and 44 seconds. The demanding route is narrow and winding, which represents a real challenge for both the dogs and their handlers.

The anniversary weekend

The anniversary weekend was diverse and full of highlights. On Friday, October 24th, the exhibition “50 Years of Sled Dog Racing” opened in the Wehratalhalle, followed by an interesting specialist lecture by former musher Markus Luft. This not only offered visitors exciting insights into sled dog sport, but also suggestions for discussion about the future and developments in competition. On Saturday evening, the rock band “Stone Free” provided the best atmosphere during the rock night, which was hosted by the Todtmoos Narrenzunft.

The official start of the race on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. marked the culmination of the necessary team of dogs and their handlers. Todtmoos thus turned into a real center for mushers, dogs and spectators. The convivial atmosphere and the festive mood attracted numerous visitors who cheered and cheered together. After the race, the award ceremony took place in the Old Kurpark at 4 p.m., where the best teams were recognized for their sporting achievements.

A look into the future

The next regular edition of the sled dog race in Todtmoos is expected to take place at the end of January 2026. The hope for enough snow is high, because nothing brings out the thrill of a skijoring competition better than a snowy winter landscape. When Todtmoos is again covered in the white magic of nature, the enthusiastic mushers and spectators are ready to prove themselves in the competition again and to continue the tradition of this fantastic event.

For a comprehensive overview of the events surrounding the sled dog race and the many other highlights that the Black Forest region has to offer, it is worth taking a look at the relevant websites. So reported SWR about the latest developments, during Black Forest Tourism provides interesting information about the anniversary. Also the website Association of German Sled Dog Athletes provides regular information about events and training camps in the area of ​​sled dog sports.