The White Oak Classic was formed from the efforts of Dan Bergerson and Chuck Ogee when they were having a discussion about sled dogs and how they were used during the Great Lakes fur trade. They decided to have a dog sled race starting at the White Oak Fur Post to re-create the spirit of the dogs during the fur trade. The inaugural race was local mushers and had only 15 participants. There was a great amount of interest from individuals and businesses in the area and from that we were able to expand the race to what it is today. The first race was an 18-mile run to Gosh Dam Place on Saturday and than a return run from Gosh Dam Place to the fur post on Sunday. The second year of the White Oak Classic was expanded with the race length extending to 120 miles for the 10 dog pro class, 60 miles for the 6 dog pro class, 38 miles for the trophy class and 18 miles for the recreation class. Having these four classes allowed a lot of mushers to partake in a race length that best fits their dog team. That year the 10 dog pro class ran to Northhome for a 6-hour layover and than mushed back to the fur post to the finish. During the third year of the race we added additional trail that brought the 10 dog pro class along new trail from Northome to Effie and a finish in Marcell, a length of 130 miles. We continue to use that same trail. The 38-mile trophy race has been called the Bobbie Lundeen Memorial race, Bobbie was a retired peace officer, the trail ran across his yard and he was very active to make sure all dog teams ran through the town of Deer River safely. We lost Bobbie the following year after our inaugural race and have since honored Bobbie Lundeen in the trophy race. Every year we also honor a person who the race committee selected for their contribution to the sport of dog mushing or who has been involved with this great sport. This we do by framing the number one race bib with their picture. It is presented in the pre race opening ceremonies. All mushers are required to carry a trap that represents the activity that was vital to the fur trade, on the trap is a tag that has the name of the person who is honored, As the years go by you can look at the trap and see who we have honored and remembered. All the mushers who have enter the White Oak Classic Sled Dog race each year bring back the spirit of the dogs who once traveled the county hauling furs and trade good through the winter here in the northland. |
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