Event Report: UP 200 Dryland Dash 2025

Introduction

The UP 200 organization has announced the 2025 Dryland Dash, scheduled for October 11-12 in Negaunee Township, Michigan. This event adapts traditional dog sled racing for snow-free conditions, featuring categories such as wheeled rigs, scooters, bikes, and canicross. The event structure supports teams of one, two, four, and six dogs. A significant component of the event’s success relies on community participation, with organizers issuing a call for volunteers. This report analyzes the event’s structure and its alignment with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Dryland Dash serves as a community platform that actively contributes to several key SDGs through its focus on health, community building, and environmental appreciation.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The event promotes physical activity for both human participants and their canine partners through various racing disciplines.
• It fosters mental well-being by encouraging outdoor recreation and providing a social venue for community engagement.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The event strengthens the local community fabric by creating a shared cultural experience that brings residents together.
• Volunteerism is a core component, enhancing social cohesion and building local capacity for organizing community-focused events.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• The Dryland Dash highlights the importance of the human-animal bond and promotes responsible animal welfare within a sporting context.
• By utilizing local trails, the event encourages an appreciation for the region’s natural ecosystems and promotes responsible outdoor recreation.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The call for volunteers exemplifies a partnership between event organizers and the local community, which is essential for the event’s successful execution.
• It creates a collaborative environment for mushers, volunteers, and spectators, reinforcing the goal of achieving objectives through cooperation.

Operational Details and Volunteer Requirements

Volunteer Opportunities

To ensure the safe and efficient operation of the event, volunteers are required for several key functions. This initiative supports community engagement and provides valuable experience.

1. Trail Management: Assisting with course monitoring and support.
2. Logistics: Aiding in the setup of critical infrastructure such as fencing.
3. Animal and Team Support: Providing assistance with dog handling and helping race teams.
4. Hospitality: Managing food and refreshment stations for participants and volunteers.

Benefits for Volunteers

According to Meg Holeva, the UP 200 volunteer coordinator, participation in the Dryland Dash offers a foundational experience for those interested in larger-scale events. The atmosphere is described as more relaxed, providing an ideal entry point for new volunteers to engage with mushing sports in a less chaotic environment compared to the main winter races.

Participation Information

Volunteer and Racer Registration

• Prospective Volunteers: Individuals interested in volunteering can register via the official sign-up portal. For inquiries, contact can be made at volunteer@UP200.org.
• New Racers: The organization is also encouraging new mushers to participate, with scholarship information available for interested parties.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article discusses a sporting event that encourages physical activity through canicross, biking, and running with dog teams. Such community-based recreational activities contribute to the physical and mental well-being of participants and volunteers.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The “Dryland Dash” is a local community event that brings people together, fostering social cohesion. It makes use of local trails and spaces for recreation, contributing to the cultural and social life of the community.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article’s primary focus is a call for volunteers. Volunteering is a form of civic and community participation, which strengthens local institutions (like the UP 200 organization) and promotes an inclusive and participatory society.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. The event directly promotes physical activity, as it “includes races for wheeled rigs, scooters, bikes and canicross,” which is a key component in preventing non-communicable diseases and enhancing overall well-being.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage. The dog sled race, even in its “dryland” form, is a cultural and recreational activity. By organizing the event, the community is safeguarding and promoting a unique local tradition.
• Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces. The event utilizes community trails for a public recreational purpose, demonstrating the use of public spaces for inclusive community activities.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. The explicit call for volunteers (“The UP 200 is hosting the 2025 Dryland Dash in October, and they’re looking for volunteers”) is a direct example of fostering participatory community action. It allows citizens to be actively involved in the success of a local event.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicators for SDG 3

• Implied Indicator for Target 3.4: The number of participants in the event. The article encourages participation by mentioning scholarships for new racers (“If you’re a new racer who would like to give mushing a try, click here”), implying that the number of people engaged in this physical activity is a measure of its success.

Indicators for SDG 11

• Implied Indicator for Target 11.4 & 11.7: The existence and successful execution of the event itself. The fact that the “Dryland Dash is on Oct. 11-12” serves as an indicator that local cultural/recreational activities are being held and that public spaces are being utilized for community benefit.

Indicators for SDG 16

• Implied Indicator for Target 16.7: The number of volunteers who sign up and participate. The article’s central theme is a recruitment drive, listing specific roles (“trail help, fencing setup, dog handling”) and providing a direct link to “sign up to volunteer.” The volume of volunteer response would be a direct measure of community participation.

4. SDGs, Targets and Indicators Table

Source: uppermichiganssource.com