Separated by mere seconds, Jean-Marc Champeval and Cynthia Corriveau both raced to bikejor victories on Sunday.

Cynthia Corriveau and her 10-year-old dog Nahanni took the one-mile bikejor race with a time of 3:48, four seconds ahead of runner-up and host Champeval and his three-year-old husky, Bella.

Adam Robinson finished third in the nine-person field with a time of 4:02.

However, armed with more dog power, Champeval blazed to victory in the two-mile race in 7:36, behind three-year-old husky brothers Black Bear and Brave.

Thirty-year-old Corriveau was the second quickest across the line in 7:39, behind eight-year-old Foxy and her two-year-old granddaughter Karma.

Robinson again finished third in the seven-man field in 8:24.

The latest event in the Hot Hounds dryland summer series took place at the Takhini River Lodge, operated by Champeval.

Hosting for the second time on his trail system, Champeval worked hard to prep the track, mowing the grass and trimming down roots and stumps.

The 50-year-old musher said he employed a different strategy for his home-track races.

“I have young dogs and in the past I was holding them back, using the brake,” said Champeval, in his fifth year of running dogs. “That’s probably why I usually finished in the rear.”

But with “perfect” temperatures and a light drizzle, Champeval decided to open the throttle, consciously keeping his fingers away from his bicycle’s brakes.

“I let them go and we finished second and first,” he said. “I just let them go from start to finish.”

He figures he topped out at 30 kph on the trails.

Meanwhile, Corriveau was coming off a bikejor race sweep from the July 5 race at Stardog Kennels on the Annie Lake Road. That race featured a much smaller turnout due to very hot conditions around 30 C.

Following that race, discussions were held about a potential cut-off temperature for future summer races.

While a firm number has not yet been reached, Corriveau said mushers will be more cautious about races held in plus-25 degree temperatures.

For instance, pre- and post-race soaks have become the norm.

“They’re used to going in the water,” Corriveau said of the huskies. “It’s always nice to give them a refresh before and after the race.”

She went on to congratulate Champeval on his two-dog race victory.

“It’s boring when the same people always win,” she said, noting her main rival Darryl Sheepway was absent from Sunday’s races. “Jean-Marc’s been working really hard with his dogs, so it’s pretty exciting.”

Virginia Sarrazin and her dog Spike took the canicross crown, winning the one-mile running race in 5:27, one second ahead of Robinson.

Hombert De Sesmaisons finished third in the seven-man field with a time of 5:36.

While pro mushers like current Iditarod champion Dallas Seavey are innovating with ideas such as indoor climate-controlled treadmills, recreational mushers settle for fun race events like the Hot Hounds series.

“We want to focus more on recreation,” said Corriveau. “We might move more into fun, challenging races, rather than fast.”

The Dog Powered Sports Association of the Yukon continues to try to boost membership numbers, and a move away from competitive races may help the cause, she concluded.

“You just need a dog and you, and we’ll give you the training and equipment,” she said.