Šediváčkův Long dog sled race takes off in Orlické mountains

The 26th annual dog sled race called Šediváčkův Long gets underway in the town of Deštné in the northeast of the country on Tuesday afternoon.

Over 100 mushers from different countries with some 700 dogs are competing in the race which is considered one of the toughest on the European continent.

The participants can choose between 200-kilometre and 300-kilometre long tracks in deep snow and freezing conditions in the Orlické hory mountains which they have to cover in just five days. Competitors also have to spend one night sleeping out in the snow.