The race starts in Dinner Plain, Victoria, and races on private land adjacent to Alpine National Park.[5] Participants may compete in the open class which includes 2-dog, 3-dog, 4-dog, and 6-dog teams, touring/social class where participants can use a sled, cross-country skis, fatbike or canicross, a junior 2-dog class for children over 12 and a mini musher class for children under 12.[6][7]
| Class |
Course Length |
|---|
| 4- and 6-dog |
5 kilometres (3.1 mi) |
| 2- and 3-dog |
3–4 kilometres (1.9–2.5 mi) |
| Junior class |
3–4 kilometres (1.9–2.5 mi) |
| Skijor |
2 kilometres (1.2 mi) |
| Touring/Social |
2 kilometres (1.2 mi) |
| Mini Musher |
800 metres (0.50 mi)[8] |
The race primarily draws competitors from across Australia and New Zealand[7] with past participants also hailing from countries such as Switzerland[9] and Canada.[10] Mushers must have successfully completed a minimum of three races during the current season to be eligible for Dinner Plain Sled Dog Sprint.[5] The most frequently seen breeds in the competition are Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes,[3] though other breeds compete as well.[11]
The Dinner Plain Sled Dog Sprint is the only sled dog race in Australia consistently held on snow.Sled dog racing on snow is limited in Australia as the majority of snowfall occurs in national parks which dogs are restricted from entering.[5]
