A meet and greet with all the mushers and their dogs the morning preceding the race.

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This musher uses all breeds plus mixed rescue dogs on his team.

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This team is renowned from BC. Her dogs love her.

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Pre-race vetting is ongoing during the meet and greet to make sure all dogs are race ready.

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Oh they can't WAIT!

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Almost ready for take-off.

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This is the Wyoming Stage Stop Race.

It's the largest race in the lower 48 states, second only to the Iditarod in Alaska.

It starts in Jackson, WY and winds through 4 states and covers over 300 miles in the course of one week.

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The races are usually held during the day, although the first leg kicks off here in Jackson, WY at night.

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It was -2 degrees when I photographed the teams.

The excitement was so overwhelming...I hardly felt the cold.

The dogs are so strong it takes several people plus a 4 wheeler to hold them back prior to the race.

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And off they go!

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