Toddler takes third in dog sled race

Harleigh Dutton placed third in her division Feb. 2-3 at the Inland Empire Pacific Coast Championship Sled Dog Races at Priest Lake.

The achievement would be impressive on its own, as sled dog races can be a grueling and difficult sport, but for Harleigh, the impressive feat is even more so when you notice the dog is taller than the musher.

In fact, Harleigh's dog Yukon is six years older than the first-time sled dog racer.

At 2 years old, the Pinehurst native was the youngest participant by two years in the event held Saturday and Sunday. While the age limit is four years old usually, Harleigh was allowed to race because she could fit in the helmet and was able to operate the sled's brake.

Racing against a field of children all older than her, the girl who's years away from starting kindergarten held her own.

Tammy Dutton joked that her daughter had deck stacked against her.

"She was the youngest racer, with the oldest dog and probably the heaviest sled," Dutton said with a chuckle.

It was a short race for children, but Dutton said she was surprised how well the two-year-old did.

Dutton said her daughter has been enjoying riding a sled behind the family dog Yukon since her birth, as Yukon would pull Harleigh around the neighborhood in the winter. After being a spectator at several events, Harleigh's parents let her try mushing in a race.

Harleigh's love for sled dog racing was born out of her love for Yukon. The family pet has been a constant presence in Harleigh's life since birth and she's grown up riding behind the dog.

"Yukon is (Harleigh's) best friend," Dutton said. "She pulls Harleigh around the neighborhood all the time."

Dutton is expecting Harleigh to return to racing dogs next year, and she'll probably try to enter more events. It'll be another year as the youngest musher in the race, but for Harleigh, she's just having fun with her dog.