SANFORD — Martin Gagnon wasn’t quite sure what to expect.
He knew what was required of him: He and his family would harness themselves to a sled behind the Sanford-Springvale YMCA building, pick the lightest among them to sit on the sled itself, and at the count of three, they would dash across a track of hard-packed snow to the finish line, pulling along their cargo like the dogs of the Iditarod.
A simple enough concept, but the experience of emulating the K-9s of that famous Alaska dogsled race was a foreign one. It was difficult to know how to prepare, he said.
“I guess we just hope the other teams are slower than we are,” said Gagnon.
Cookies ”˜n’ Cream, his family’s “human dogsled” team, was one of five that competed at the third annual Mousam Mush event on Saturday. Far from being a serious competition, the race serves as a fundraiser for Sanford’s Louis B. Goodall Memorial Library and the Springvale Public Library, which join forces each year to plan the spectacle.
In addition to the main event, raffles, food and family activities were offered, ensuring that attendees would enjoy what many hoped was one of the waning days of winter.
“We’re always trying to come up with something different and unique to offer to the community,” said Goodall Library Director Jackie McDougal. She said that while Mousam Mush isn’t yet a huge moneymaker for the two nonprofits, the cost of staging it is cheap: Less than $100 this year, largely thanks to assistance from the business community. Local contractor Bob Chenard built each of the sleds at no cost, with lumber donated by Aubuchon Hardware.
The Sanford Institution for Savings, aside from being the main sponsor for the event, also fielded a team.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Jackie Roberts, participating in her second Mousam Mush with the SIS team. “The location is better than it has been in past years. This is ideal.”
In past years, the event was held at Gowen Park, on a sliver of improvised track that ran slightly uphill. That proved challenging for teams running multiple races in the round robin-style tournament.
The flat grounds of the YMCA, by contrast, allowed contestants to more easily catch their wind as they huffed and puffed their way through the later rounds.
SIS team member Joseph Zappala said mental preparation is key.
“It’s just about keeping a positive attitude,” he said. “As long as you keep the mental faculty running, you’re good.”
Zappala’s team joined Cookies n’ Cream, the YMCA, Goodall Hospital, and Garnsey Brothers Insurance in providing the unique thrill for spectators, many of whom smiled and laughed good-naturedly as the competitors ran, slipped, lurched and dove toward the orange finish line at the end of the short track.
After an hour of hard chugging, the YMCA emerged victorious, narrowly edging out SIS in the final race. That earned them the top prize ”“ an array of items including mittens, scarves, and books ”“ although few racers went home empty-handed.
Runner-up awards were handed out, and Gagnon’s team was given a special prize for being the only family to field a team in the competition.
That put a smile on his face, and may have foreshadowed another bid for glory in next year’s Mush.
“I don’t see why we can’t make this a regular thing,” he said.
— Staff Writer Jeff Lagasse can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 319, or at jlagasse@journaltribune.com.
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