Three sled-dog races agree on separate dates

The calendar for early season dog sled races in south central had been a challenge for mushers for much of the fall. Three dog sled races had been scheduled for the same weekend. But, at the urging of mushers and the support of volunteers, race organizers were able to alter their schedules to make each of the three-races on different weekends.

The registration for the Don Bowers Memorial Sled Dog race has filled up, and organizers have started a wait-list for the 200- and 300-mile race which takes place at the end of January, 2013. The field of 40 mushers will Start in Willow on Friday, January 18th, and make the trip to Trapper Creek, returning to Deshka Landing, where the 200 mile race will finish. Teams running the 300 mile race will return to trapper creek.
The following weekend, a different 300 mile race will be run. The Northern Lights 300 will start in Big Lake on January 25th and make a trip to Finger lake and back. That race has also announced a full roster, and they have also started a wait-list.

The Tustemena 200 sled dog race has normally been run during the same weekend, the last weekend in January. This year they have moved the date of the 2013 race to the first weekend in February. Registration has not yet opened for this race, but it will be the 30th anniversary for the Tustemena 200.