Bristol Dryland

t the helm of this event is Denis Rozon, an exuberant organizer who has spent his whole life around dogs.  Rozon’s love of dogs was passed on from his mother, she was a musher who supplied lumber camps along the Ottawa River in the area of Maniwaki.  His cousins also had dog teams and at the age of 11, Rozon vowed to have dogs of his own.   Today that dream is a reality.  

From one end of North America to the other, Rozon has spent 45 years racing sled dogs.  In 2000 he settled in Bristol. With 91 hectares of land to his name, he began creating trails and carving out spaces for his new company, Timberland Tours.  In 2010 he brought 55 teams from Canada, France and the United States for the first internationally sanctioned Bristol Dryland Canadian Championship Dog Race.

On October 25,26 and 27, 2019 Timberland Tours will host the 10th annual Bristol Dryland National Canadian Dog Race.  Hundreds of racers and dogs from all over the globe will flock to Bristol to compete in this world class event. 

The race is run on a sandy trail that winds through a beautiful pine forest.   Racers and their dogs can compete in several events: scooter, canicross, bikejoring and 4, 6, and 8 dog rigs.  Spectators can observe the race from several look out points including the start and finish bleachers, a high rise stand and also along an access path that cuts through the forest and crosses the race track. 

With a purse of over $10,000 it is one of the biggest dryland races in the world.  In fact the Bristol Dryland race was ranked 3rd worldwide in 2010 by all registered racers .  

Admission for spectators and parking are free.  For security reason no pets are allowed on the premises.  Vendors will be on site with warm food and beverages as well as some merchandise.