Friends and word of mouth helped attract almost 20 people to the Dog Powered Sports Association of the Yukon (DPSAY)’s first event of their summer race series at the Takhini Hot Pools Sunday night.

The Hot Hound race series is a way for humans and their canines – of any shape or size – to be active and have fun in the summer.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about having fun with the dogs,” says DPSAY board member Adam Robinson.

The event features three races: two bikejoring events (one and two mile) and a one mile canicross (run).

While the events highlight fun, there is also some competition.

Laura Vinnedge and Gracie, the 3 1/2-year-old sled dog she’s fostering for the summer, have been out training for canicross.

Vinnedge says that it’s been a steep learning curve, but that she’s having lots of fun.

“[Gracie] really loves it and that’s been really fun because it keeps her in shape,” she says. “It’s really cool because it’s one-on-one and I like that better than a lot of sports that I’ve tried so far.”

The next Hot Hound race will be on July 16 at Mike and Jessica Simon’s place on Mayo Road.