The last leg of the 24th annual Gold Rush Dog Sled Mail Run goes Sunday.
Once a qualifier for the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod races, it's now more about participation than who can do it the fastest.
The run from Quesnel to Barkerville starts on Friday.
"We are really looking forward to this year's Gold Rush Sled Dog Mail Run," said Carleigh Drew from Barkerville Historic Town & Park.
"Last January's icy conditions are far behind us, and the weather should be perfect for participants and spectators alike."
This run offers the few remaining chances in Canada to get a letter carried by dog sled part way and ultimately delivered by regular mail through Canada Post. The run will follow Cariboo Wagon Road and while it's mostly a dog sled event it's also open to skijors, cross country skiers, snowshoers, kick sledders, runners and any other self-propelled transportation capable of successfully traveling on a snow-packed trail.
The three-day trail trip starts north of Quesnel, runs by Cottonwood House, Troll Ski Resort, over the trail from Stanley past Van Winkle to Richfield and Barkerville Historic Town & Park before the dash to Wells and back. Once in Barkerville the carried mail will go into regular mail to be delivered throughout the world.
It's up to participants to decide if they would like to do all three days of the trip or they can choose shorter routes as well.
To actually carry the mail, participants are sworn in as official Canada Post mail carriers and must complete all three stages of the trip.
Envelopes for the Mail Run are available at the main post office in Quesnel, Shopper's Drug Mart Postal Station located in downtown Quesnel, Rocky's in Bouchie Lake, Bosley's in the West Park Mall, the Co-op on Three Mile Flat, Total Pet in South Quesnel, and Jack'O Clubs Store and BNC Mercantile in Wells.
Pick up the envelopes and be sure to put the letters in special Mail Run mail boxes at the same outlets no later than Jan. 20.
For more information visit www.dogsledmailrun.ca.
