Actually, they were mushers for less than 10 minutes in the annual Businessperson's Race, hosted by the Chugiak Dog Mushers Association on the Beach Lake Trails Saturday.

With the mercury plunging to 26 degrees below zero, racers were treated to a spread of food in the club's new Trailhouse along the start/finish line of the two-mile course. Piping hot beverages were also available both before and after the three-dog sprint.

The dog teams belonged to club mushers, who had already trained guest mushers. The latter took to the trail on decorated sleds as the annual Sled Decorating Contest preceded the race.

Both events preceded the Eagle River Classic sled dog race, where serious mushers raced for serious money Saturday and Sunday (See story, page 11.)

Though the Businessperson's Race is suppose to be a fun race, this year's turned out to be competitive as well. The top three mushers posted identical times of 6 minutes, 39 seconds.

Representing Harmony Vet Services, Elmendorf 3CS Tel. Mai. and Northern Air Cargo, dog drivers Tim Hudson, Jenny Burns and Martha Ethridge turned in the leading times.

Six mushers finished under the seven-minute mark, indicating a highly competitve race.

Bringing up the tail end of the pack were Linda Vizenor (Eagle River Chamber of Commerce) and Clay Dover (Alaska Digitel) with times of 10:17 and 11:47, respectively.

Three businesses, Ravenwood Vet Clinic, Northern Air Cargo and Alaska Laser Printing, had two entries in this year's race.

Seventeen local mushers supplied teams.

Final results: 1) Tim Hudson (Harmony Vet Service), 2) Jenny Burns (Elmendorf 3CS Tel. Mai.), 3) Martha Ethridge (Northern Air Cargo), 4) Misty Mack (S/V Arctic Lady), 5) Vera Lundell (Rural Discount Center), 6) Rose Hiett (1st National Bank of Alaska), 7) Liane Pellethher (ACS), 8) Paul Ramert (MacTec Engineering and Consulting), 9) Ben Northey (Goodfellow Brothers), 10) Valerie Ashbury (Ravenwood Vet Clinic), 11) Tim Kohl (Alaska Stock Photos), 11) Becky Sherman (Al Bowler Insurance), 12) Bruce Zalneraitis (Life Alaska Donor Services), 13) Chris Wilhelm (Alaska Laser Printing), 14) Donna Troyer (Ravenwood Vet Clinic), 15) Ed Daugherty (Alaska Laser Printing), 16) Helena Schwenter (CH2M Hill), 17) Chris Moore (Northern Air Cargo), 18) Cheyenne Dillivan (Aeromap), 19) Randi Gryting (Picture This), 20) Linda Vizenor (Eagle River Chamber of Commerce). 21) and Clay Dover (Alaska Digitel).