The following was forwarded by Will Forsberg of P.R.I.D.E. E. D. Stokes authored and sent this letter to various sledding clubs, and describes an event that he feels is what P.R.I.D.E. is all about...

Anyone who has ever doubted the existence of spectator interest in sled dogs should have stopped by Punderson State Park this past weekend. The1996 Geauga Sled Dog Challenge thrilled 15,000 spectators. Ten six dog teams, half of them driven by S.B.H.C.G.C. members, ran a minimum of thirty miles over the weekend. They did this in what were approximately six mile stretches, and the advantage to this was spectator involvement at each of the four check stations.

The drivers left the lodge with a sour-dough start. The people loved it. Everyone had a wonderful time. The sponsors, supporters, the park and their vendors, the drivers and their handlers, the people who ran the check points. Even those who ran the shows in the lodge, and particularly the spectators.

So, was it just another sled dog event? Well, yes, but think about it for a moment.

• In this event there weren’t any losers! There were rules, requirements and limits, but no losers.
• There was no purse but it was a commercial success for everyone involved commercially. Everything sold out, food, drinks, cabins, equipment, books, sweatshirts, post cards, it was all gone by Sunday night (we had reports that even the peripheral businesses, in Newbury and Burton had to close because they ran out of food and merchandise).
• It provided the sport of sled dog running with perfect P. R. and publicity through complete media coverage, television, radio and print. At a time when skiers, joggers, bicyclers, snowmobilers, and horse riders are eating up every foot of available trail, to our exclusion, it proved we too have a viable activity that deserves attention.
• It opened a window of opportunity. The opportunity for everyone involved with sled dogs to improve relations. The opportunity for area clubs to make contacts with parks and those with potential hosting facilities. The opportunity to display to potential sponsors of future events, and I mean sponsors who want to reach the general public, not just those interested in selling their wares to sled dog people, just how much exposure this kind of thing can create.

Now is the time to begin the planning of future events. Now, while the success of this event is fresh in everyone's mind.

E. D. Stokes