UP200 Dryland Dash begins 2025-26 mushing season – WZMQ 19 News

Report on the UP200 Dryland Dash and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Event Overview

The ninth annual UP200 Dryland Dash was held in Negaunee Township, Michigan, serving as the season’s inaugural sprint race for the Midwest’s mushing community. The event attracted approximately 70 teams, fostering competition and community engagement over a two-day period. This report analyzes the event’s contributions to several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being & SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The event directly promotes physical and mental well-being by encouraging an active outdoor lifestyle for participants and their canine teams. It also strengthens the social fabric of the community.

• Physical Activity: The races provide a structured opportunity for mushers and dogs to engage in intense physical exercise, contributing to overall health.
• Community Cohesion: As noted by participants, the mushing community is characterized by strong bonds and mutual support. This collaborative spirit enhances social cohesion and builds resilient communities, a core target of SDG 11.
• Connection with Nature: Participants expressed appreciation for the natural beauty of the course, highlighting the mental health benefits derived from engaging with the environment.

SDG 15: Life on Land & SDG 4: Quality Education

The UP200 Dryland Dash fosters a deep respect for the natural environment and provides unique educational opportunities, aligning with goals for environmental stewardship and lifelong learning.

• Environmental Appreciation: The race course, set against a backdrop of fall colors and diverse trails, promotes an appreciation for local ecosystems and the importance of their preservation.
• Animal Welfare: The event underscores the symbiotic relationship between humans and animals, promoting responsible care and training practices essential for the well-being of the sled dogs.
• Experiential Learning: The significant volunteer support from Northern Michigan University students provides invaluable hands-on experience in event management, community organization, and logistics, directly supporting the aims of SDG 4 by linking academic learning with practical application.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The successful execution of the Dryland Dash is a testament to effective collaboration among various stakeholders.

• The event demonstrates a strong partnership between the race organizers, the regional mushing community, local volunteers, and educational institutions like Northern Michigan University.
• This multi-stakeholder collaboration is crucial for creating sustainable community events that deliver social, cultural, and educational benefits, embodying the spirit of SDG 17.

Official Race Results

6 Dog Rig – Pro

1. Ryan Anderson (Bib 1): Day 1 – 11:42.5, Day 2 – 11:39.1, Total – 23:21.6
2. Joann Fortier (Bib 2): Day 1 – 12:49.0, Day 2 – 12:44.0, Total – 25:33.0
3. Anne Small (Bib 3): Day 1 – 13:00.0, Day 2 – 12:53.0, Total – 25:53.0
4. Geri Minard (Bib 4): Day 1 – 13:17.0, Day 2 – 13:08.0, Total – 26:25.0
5. Janice McPhee (Bib 5): Day 1 – 14:06.0, Day 2 – 13:59.0, Total – 28:05.0

4 Dog Rig – Pro

1. Ryan Anderson (Bib 10): Day 1 – 8:36.0, Day 2 – 8:31.0, Total – 17:07.0
2. Anne Small (Bib 11): Day 1 – 9:36.0, Day 2 – 9:26.0, Total – 19:02.0
3. Amelia Gagliano (Bib 12): Day 1 – 10:07.0, Day 2 – 10:02.0, Total – 20:09.0
4. Sara Kvan (Bib 13): Day 1 – 10:17.0, Day 2 – 10:14.0, Total – 20:31.0
5. Geri Minard (Bib 14): Day 1 – 10:29.0, Day 2 – 10:20.0, Total – 20:49.0
6. Janice McPhee (Bib 15): Day 1 – 10:59.0, Day 2 – 10:48.0, Total – 21:47.0

2 Dog Scooter

1. Sara Kvan (Bib 20): Day 1 – 7:02.0, Day 2 – 6:58.0, Total – 14:00.0
2. Amelia Gagliano (Bib 21): Day 1 – 7:21.0, Day 2 – 7:15.0, Total – 14:36.0
3. Joann Fortier (Bib 22): Day 1 – 7:25.0, Day 2 – 7:20.0, Total – 14:45.0
4. Heather Kasprzak (Bib 23): Day 1 – 8:02.0, Day 2 – 7:55.0, Total – 15:57.0
5. Amanda O’Donnell (Bib 24): Day 1 – 8:16.0, Day 2 – 8:09.0, Total – 16:25.0

1 Dog Canicross – Men

1. Adam Airoldi (Bib 30): Day 1 – 7:06.0, Day 2 – 7:01.0, Total – 14:07.0
2. Robert Tank (Bib 31): Day 1 – 8:05.0, Day 2 – 7:59.0, Total – 16:04.0

1 Dog Canicross – Women

1. Amanda O’Donnell (Bib 40): Day 1 – 8:15.0, Day 2 – 8:08.0, Total – 16:23.0
2. Heather Kasprzak (Bib 41): Day 1 – 8:20.0, Day 2 – 8:12.0, Total – 16:32.0

2 Dog Bikejor

1. Adam Airoldi (Bib 50): Day 1 – 6:15.0, Day 2 – 6:10.0, Total – 12:25.0
2. Robert Tank (Bib 51): Day 1 – 6:58.0, Day 2 – 6:52.0, Total – 13:50.0

1 Dog Bikejor – Men

1. Adam Airoldi (Bib 60): Day 1 – 4:25.0, Day 2 – 4:20.0, Total – 8:45.0
2. Robert Tank (Bib 61): Day 1 – 4:58.0, Day 2 – 4:52.0, Total – 9:50.0

1 Dog Bikejor – Women

1. Amanda O’Donnell (Bib 70): Day 1 – 5:15.0, Day 2 – 5:10.0, Total – 10:25.0
2. Heather Kasprzak (Bib 71): Day 1 – 5:20.0, Day 2 – 5:14.0, Total – 10:34.0

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • The article highlights a community sporting event that promotes physical activity for both the mushers and the dogs. Furthermore, it emphasizes the social and mental well-being derived from community engagement, as stated by a participant: “The mushing community all works together… You get to know the whole community.” This sense of belonging and mutual support contributes to overall well-being.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • The UP200 Dryland Dash is presented as a recurring community event (“We are on our ninth year this year”) that strengthens social cohesion and local culture. It brings together “around 70 midwestern teams” and local volunteers, fostering a strong community bond. The event also celebrates and utilizes local natural heritage, as mushers describe the course as “beautiful” with “fall colors,” making it a cultural activity that is integrated with its local environment.

3. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • The race takes place on natural trails, highlighting the recreational use of terrestrial ecosystems. Descriptions like “The course is beautiful, you get the fall colors as you’re zooming along” and “There’s a lot of diversity on the trail” show an appreciation for the natural environment. The event’s existence depends on the sustainable use and maintenance of these trails. Additionally, the entire event is centered around the human-animal relationship and the well-being of the sled dogs.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The article demonstrates a partnership between different groups within civil society to achieve a common goal. The event’s success relies on the collaboration between the race organizers, the mushing community, and volunteers, which include “students from Northern Michigan University.” This cooperation is explicitly mentioned: “if somebody needs a hand getting their rig team to the line and you’re free, you just jump on and help out.”

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

1. Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being

   • While not addressing non-communicable diseases directly, the event clearly promotes mental health and well-being through physical activity and strong social connections. The article’s focus on the “special bond” within the “mushing community” directly relates to fostering social well-being, a key component of this target.

2. Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage

   • The Dryland Dash, being in its ninth year, can be considered a part of the region’s living cultural heritage. The event’s reliance on and celebration of the natural landscape (“beautiful” course with “fall colors”) connects directly to safeguarding local natural heritage through community engagement and appreciation.

3. Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services

   • The article implies the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems (the trails) for recreational purposes. The event’s success is contingent upon the health and accessibility of these natural trails, thus promoting their value and encouraging their continued maintenance for community activities.

4. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships

   • The organization of the race is a clear example of a civil society partnership. It involves the mushing community, a volunteer coordinator, and students from Northern Michigan University all working together to stage the event, reflecting the collaborative spirit of this target.

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

1. Indicators for Target 3.4 and 11.4

   • Number of participants and teams: The article states there were “around 70 midwestern teams.” This number serves as a quantitative indicator of community engagement in a health-promoting cultural event.
   • Number of volunteers: The mention of “a large amount of volunteers” including students from a local university indicates the level of community involvement and social cohesion.
   • Longevity of the event: The fact that the race is in its “ninth year” is an indicator of its sustainability as a cultural and community-building activity.

2. Indicators for Target 15.1

   • Qualitative descriptions of the environment: Mushers’ comments on the “beautiful” course, “fall colors,” and “diversity on the trail” serve as qualitative indicators of the perceived health and aesthetic value of the ecosystem being used for recreation.

3. Indicators for Target 17.17

   • Identification of distinct partner groups: The article explicitly identifies the partners involved: the mushing community, the volunteer organization, and Northern Michigan University. The successful execution of the race itself is an indicator of the effectiveness of this partnership.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wzmq19.com