Chena Hot Springs, AK � Chena Hot Springs Resort is hosting the first Centennial Dog Sled Passenger Race from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs starting April first and ending at the resort on April second.

The 65-mile race will begin at 1 pm from the Chena Lakes Recreation Area following a musher�s meeting at 11 am. Teams will be judged for authenticity rather than for speed, but the two-person teams do have to finish by 4 pm on April 2 to be eligible for up to $10,000 in cash and prizes.

Veteran musher and Race Marshall Gwen Holdmann designed this fun race to help celebrate Chena Hot Springs Resort�s 100th birthday. Dog teams took patients to the hot springs to �cure� what ailed them, mostly rheumatism and arthritis brought on by hard work and a poor diet.

Sleds were usually freight type sleds and dogs were larger than the ones used by most dog teams today. Also, teams will try to dress in period costumes, feed dogs a diet that more similarly matches that available in 1905. Teams will overnight in Two Rivers at Pleasant Valley on the evening of the first.

Holdmann also says they will be using a �sleeping bag start� requiring mushers to get out of their blankets and furs, harness the dogs and prepare the sled before taking off.

Two Rivers Dog Mushing Association is giving event support and there are four judges who will be looking for anachronisms or things that don�t fit the time period. Prizes will include cash, dog food from Cold Spot Feeds, heating oil from Sourdough Fuel, Thrifty car rentals, clothing from Beaver Sports, airplane rides on Wright Air or Wareblows, hotel stays in Anchorage, Kenai and Fairbanks and more.

Approximately 20 teams are expected to register for the race.

Judges: Thom �Swanny� Swan, National President of the Coalition of Historical Trekkers (http://www.coht.org) Marti Steury, former executive director of the Yukon Quest, dog musher, and involved with the City of Fairbanks� Centennial through Festival Fairbanks. Dr. Tara Maginnis, Associate Professor of Theater at UAF with a specialty in costumes 'The Costumer's Manifesto' at http://www.costumes.org Tom Schulz, dog musher

Race Schedule for Chena Centennial Race

Friday, April 1st, 2005 11:00 am Musher meeting and trail report at Chena Lakes Recreational Area 12:00 pm Judges begin looking at teams 1:00 pm Mass sleeping bag start at Chena Lakes Rec. Area 3:30 pm Teams begin to arrive at Valley Center (23 mile CSH rd) 7:00 pm Bonfire at Valley Center

Saturday, April 2nd, 2005 9:00 am Teams begin leaving Valley Center 9:00 - 11:00am Road Crossing at mile 27 manned 12:30pm Teams begin arriving at Chena Hot Springs 4:00pm Teams must arrive no latter than 4pm to be considered for prizes 6:00pm Banquet and Awards ceremony at Chena � tickets for non-mushers are $15

Basic Criteria for Judging at Chena Centennial Race

1. Musher appearance and costume a. Parka b. Footwear c. Pants d. Accessories 2. Passenger appearance and costume 3. Authenticity of dogs 4. Authenticity of mushing gear a. Harnesses b. Gangline c. General 5. Sled and sledbag 6. Camping setup a. Sleeping gear and/or tent b. Dog food c. Human food d. General Campsite Appearance

### Media Contact: Brenda Hewitt +1(907) 488-1505 bhewitt@chenahotsprings.com