kids and/or dogs and you can't go wrong". I think he was right. I am convinced that if everybody had an experience with running a dog team we would have a much happier world. The joys of Dog Sledding touch the very heart and tranquillity of mankind. Just being in and around Husky Dogs gives me a strong feeling of love and devotion to an animal that shows at all times his desire to please and do good. What better picture is there than a tail wag greeting. The sheer exhilaration and joy of being out on the trail with a bright moonlight night and a team of Huskies holding a tight line can make me sing at the top of my voice to the whole world that it is great to be alive. (It helps to be crazy in this sport). What makes dog sledding exciting? $ Winning a race where the difference of Ist and 2nd was only two one hundreds of a second and a prize money separation of $5000.00; $ leading an Olympic parade at Lake Placid with my team; $ demonstrating the art of control and handling of a team of Huskies on ABC Wide World of Sports to Jim McKay a very well known Sports Commentator; $ and leading my Husky Team into a Toronto Sports arena before 50000 cheering fans to the tune of entry of the Gladiators. This was a program to honour the top people in Sporting Endeavours of the 1980s. In 1978 I was approached by the good citizens of Marmora to act in a technical manner on the organization of an Annual Long and Mid Distance Dog Sled Race. It is now one of the most successful race meets in North America and draws a very wide attendance including top Government Representatives of the . Queen. Marmora is now classed as the Sled Dog Capital of Ontario and has a rousing Anthem to go along with this honour. Now I have been asked by the Canmore Alberta Sled Dog Classic Organizers to work in an official compacity to help out. I'm made to feel still wanted, being a senior citizen now, and get a chance to still be involved in what I consider the Sport of Sports and is a joy to behold. R. BRUMFIT Canmore, Alberta
JOHN
Ed Colden, originally a farmer from the Rawdon area, moved to Marmora and became a wellknown figure with the Marmora Cup races. Ed worked with the Ministry of Natural Resources concerning predator control for many years. He was asked to judge the best looking team for the Lion's Presidents Trophy and was most keen about this for a number of races.
Tun McEwen
"The Canadian Long Distance Championship is truly a remarkable event. It is the great long distance race of its kind. Not only has the Marmora Cup brought attention to the community; but it is the race which has introduced the sport of dogsledding in this area. • Over the past twenty years our kennel has had a team in the Marmora race for every year that it has been run. It is the fabulous competition and the overwhelming backing of the Marmora community, that keeps our teams coming back year after year. Congratulations to the Marmora Cup organizers and volunteers that have made this race such a successover the last two decades and for an 'experience' never to forget."
Don McEwen "The Marmora race was born a few years after the Iditarod got under way. There was a whole new era in the dog sledding sport (mid and distance dog sledding) and Marmora was very much a part of this in Southern Ontario. The excitement was in the air. Those of us present at the time sensed it and joined in this excitement. Some even suggested that "Marmora has gone to the dogs". From a mushers perspective, I can say Thank You Marmora for playing such a meaningful role in the development of this great sport."
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