Jill Schramm/MDN Dachshunds dart down the track as family members peer from the starting gate after releasing their dogs in the Dachshund Dash at the Wells County Fairground Sunday.

FESSENDEN — Warm temperatures made racing conditions a little tough, but it didn’t wilt the enthusiasm of the Dachshunds dashing down a 90-foot track to screaming fans calling their names.

The Wells County 4-H Explorers held their first-ever Dachshund Dash wiener dog races Sunday at the Wells County Fairground in Fessenden.

There were 32 doxies that chased ribbons in age categories such as “Frankfurters” and “Wienerschnitzels.” A variety of other prizes were to be had for themselves and their owners if they made it into advanced rounds.

Chris Jangula of Bismarck thought his excited and lively nine-month-old doxie Duke would burn himself out before getting on the track. He wasn’t too concerned about how Duke did, though.

“The main reason we are here is not for the competition. It’s all about the other people. Everybody has an affinity for this breed,” he said.

Carrie Opdahl, Fessenden, whose family breeds Dachshunds, researched and organized the dash. Her son, Levi, was still deciding just before race time which of the family’s dogs to enter. However, he noted, “I think we are more here to have fun than be competitive.”

Many of the entries were racing for the first time. Russ and Nala were exceptions. Jordan and Carley Metzger of Mandan brought Russ, a first- and second-place winner at two of his three previous races, and Nala, with race experience of her own

Carley Metzger said there’s really no training involved with their dogs.

“Anxiety kind of leads them to the finish line,” she said.

The top racers made hasty beelines from the starting gate to family members at the other end of the track. To the amusement of the crowd, plenty of doxies found distractions in playmates or didn’t seem quite sure where to find the finish line.

The races featured a category for wiener dog wannabes, which drew eight small-breed entries. Jason Pepple of Fessenden and his beagle, Rex, were among them. Pepple said Rex loves to run and is pretty fast but the primary reason for entering was his young daughter’s interest and encouragement by the Opdahls.

Sunday’s event raised money for the Wells County 4-H Explorers group.

Anna Copenhaver, 17, Sykeston, said she was helping out at the event to support fellow 4-Hers who have been raising money for two years to attend a 4-H Explorers camping event in South Dakota. A dog enthusiast herself, Copenhaver said she was enjoying her first doxie races.

“It’s really interesting actually,” she said. “I didn’t think we would have this big of a turnout. People came from all over North Dakota.”

Sunday’s event included a Best Dressed Doggie Contest, a cake contest and cake walk, silent auction, worship service, and a Junk & Disorderly and vendor show. The event was supported by a number of local corporate sponsors.