2026-27 Race Season

Jesse Terry and team at the Ceremonial Start of Iditarod 54.

 

Race List

Knik 100
TBA, December 2026
Website / Twitter / Facebook

Knik 200*
January 2, 2027
Website / Twitter / Facebook 

MUSH Synnfjell
January 8, 2027
Website / Twitter / Facebook

Tahquamenon Country Sled Dog Race
TBA, January 2027
Website / Facebook

Bogus Creek 150
TBA, January 2027
Website / Facebook 

Copper Basin 300*
January 9, 2027
Website / Twitter / Facebook 

Taaqpak 120
TBA, January 2027
Website / Facebook

Gunflint Mail Run
January 17, 2027
Website / Twitter / Facebook

Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race*
January 21, 2027
Website / Facebook  

Kuskokwim 300*
January 22, 2027
Website / Twitter / Facebook 

Two Rivers 200/100*
TBA, January 2027
Website / Facebook 

John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon*
January 31, 2026
Website / Twitter / Facebook

Warm Lake Stage Race
Decomissioned - lack of consistent winter
Website / Facebook

Bergebyløpet N70
TBA, January 2027
Website / Twitter / Facebook

Pedigree Stage Stop Race
TBA, January 2027
Website / Facebook

Caledonia Classic
February 5, 2027
Website / Facebook

Solo Sweepstakes
TBA, 2027
Website 

Yukon Quest Canada*
February 6, 2027
Website / Twitter / Facebook 

Idaho Sled Dog Challenge*
Decomissioned - lack of consistent winter
Website / Facebook

Yukon Quest Alaska*
TBA, February 2027
Website / Facebook 

PG Expedition Abitibi
TBA, 2027
Website / Facebook 

Wilderness Sled Dog Race
TBA, February 2027
Website / Facebook / Instagram

Northern Pines Sled Dog Race
February 6, 2027
Website / Facebook

Goose Bay 150*
TBA, February 2027
Facebook

Race to the Sky*
February 12, 2027
Website / Facebook 

Femundløpet*
February 10, 2027
Website / Facebook

Willow Jr. 100
February 12, 2027
Website / Facebook

Klondike Dog Derby
DECOMISSIONED

UP200*
February 12, 2027
Website / Facebook 

The Midnight Run
February 12, 2027
Website / Facebook 

Tug Hill Challenge
TBA, February 2027
Website / Facebook

Canadian Challenge*
TBA, February 2027
Website / BlueSky / Facebook 

Su Dog 300*
TBA, February 2027
Website / Facebook

Amundsen Race*
February 25, 2027
Website / Facebook 

WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race
TBA, February 2027
Website / Facebook

Junior Iditarod
February 27, 2027
Website / Facebook

CopperDog
February 26, 2027
Website / Twitter / Facebook

Yukon Odyssey Race
TBA, February 2027
Facebook

Can-Am Crown International*
TBA, February 2027
Website / Facebook 

Torch River Sled Dog Race
TBA 2027
Facebook 

Iditarod 54*
March 6, 2027
Website / Twitter / Facebook 

Finnmarksløpet*
March 5, 2027
Website / Facebook 

Percy DeWolfe Memorial Mail Run*
TBA, March 2027
Website / Twitter / Facebook 

La Chic-chocs
TBA, March 2027
Website / Facebook

T-Dog 200*
TBA, March 2027
Website / Facebook

Nome to Golovin 200*
TBA, March 2027
Facebook 

Under Dog 100
TBA, March 2027
Facebook

Copper Basin 100 (Junior)
TBA, March 2027
Website / Twitter / Facebook 

Hudson Bay Quest
TBA
Facebook

Kobuk 440*
TBA, April 2027
Website / Facebook

Junior Kobuk 440
TBA, April 2027
Website / Facebook

*Iditarod/Yukon Quest Qualifying Race

Do you like having an easy to find list like this and want to see them continue? This blog has always been a hobby and will continue to be - and this list is more for myself than anything - if you can spare a few dollars to help keep this blog running I wouldn't say no. Please do not feel obligated, but know that all support (in every form, not just financial) is greatly appreciated! Click here to "buy me a coffee".

Canada's Yukon Quest announces return for 2027

The newly created board for the Canadian version of the Yukon Quest announced Tuesday morning that they are full speed ahead for the 2027 race season. After the former board dissolved in late 2025/early 2026 and announced the 2026 race would be canceled a committee of longtime and loyal volunteers, mushers, and fans came together to revive the race. Now, just a little under two months later they've announced the return of the race.

Note, this is not the Yukon Quest of old, though the Canadian side got to keep the name in the "divorce" when the 1000 mile race's dual boards split. The Yukon Quest Alaska will still take place, as well as the Canadian side. Some had hoped that with a new board in place that the 1,000 mile race could happen again, but that was quickly shut down by the new board citing the logistical challenges of the border crossing and the lack of ice pack on the rivers to get teams safely from one end of the traditional route to the other.

Even just the Canadian side of the race faced that issue in the years it ran independent of Alaska. The trail issues were cited as one of a myriad of reasons the old board shut the race down. However, in today's press release the Yukon Quest board said that they have a solid plan for a safe trail and are even bringing back beloved checkpoints of old.

The race will host two events - a 550 mile long-distance race and a 300 mile mid-distance race. They promise more announcements and updates soon and encourage everyone to follow their social media pages as well as their website to keep up on the action.

Yukon Quest Canada is set to take off from Whitehorse on February 6, 2027. The Yukon Quest Alaska has not announced a race date as of yet, but have announced registration opening on August 22, 2026.

Thoughts and comments about this announcement? Are you excited? What do you expect from this new board? 

Jr Iditarod Race Committee needs your help

The Junior Iditarod turns 50 next year and the race committee is asking for race alumni and fan help. They hope to have a slideshow celebrating the fifty years of the Junior race, but they are lacking in photos dating further back than 2010. 

The Junior Iditarod was started to encourage the youth of Alaska to stick with Dog Mushing. It is an event that continues to draw teens from all over the state to run dogs and compete for scholarship monies. The race has produced some of the top names in the sport, and helped even more junior mushers achieve their academic goals post high school.

While the Junior Iditarod may not get the celebration and fanfare that *the* Iditarod gets, it is an important event in the mushing season. The mushing community comes out to celebrate and encourage the teens. 

Jeff Schultz, long-time official photographer of the Iditarod (and Junior Iditarod), put out a plea on social media Thursday looking for photos ahead of the celebration. 

The Junior Iditarod takes place the last Saturday in February ahead of the start of the Iditarod.

Jessie Holmes holds off Kevin Hansen for Kobuk 440 win

Jessie Holmes at the restart of Iditarod 54.
Holmes won the 2026 Kobuk 440 early
Sunday morning in Kotzebue.

Jessie Holmes had a very happy Easter early Sunday as he and his team came first into Kotzebue winning their fifth Kobuk title - the last (now) four consecutively! In true Team Can't Stop fashion, the champion led the race from start to finish. We just may be in the Jessie Holmes era of long distance dog mushing.

Holmes wasn't alone out in front, he battled with Kotzebue's own Kevin Hansen for most of the race. Hansen stayed right on Jessie's heels from day one and came into the finish just twenty-two minutes after the champion. Kevin even ran the final leg one minute faster than Jessie. An impressive second place finish for the up-and-coming star from Kotz.

The rest of the teams are still along the trail. Judging by the official standings it appears Calvin Daugherty's tracker is not working (it has him several checkpoints back from where the leaderboard has him. He is out of the final checkpoint and it took Holmes and Hansen a little over six hours to make the run into the finish to if Calvin is on schedule (he left at 6:19am AKDT Sunday) then he should be finishing somewhere between 12:30pm AKDT and 1:30pm AKDT Sunday.

After Calvin is a really exciting race happening between Larry Daugherty (yup, Calvin's dad) and Kristy Berington. Both are out of the final checkpoint. They should be coming into the finish around 3pm - but they can't take it easy as Sam McLain about fifteen minutes behind them. Whew! Sometimes the race within the race is more exciting than first place!

Red Lantern is currently Jennifer Nelson on the tracker - however it hasn't updated in 40 minutes, leaderboard also has her well behind the next to last team, so it's a good guess she's the red lantern. Teams have until 2pm Monday AKDT to officially finish.

Klondike Dog Derby announces end

The Board of Directors of Lake Minnetonka's Klondike Dog Derby releassed a statement Friday announcing the "retirement" of the long standing sled dog race. Revived in 2018, the race has struggled to put on races each year - with many believing Climate Change as playing a significant role.

The statement read in part that the difficult decision was made due to the irregular ability to hold a race with safe trails. The chances of both the lake being frozen and there be enough snow on the trails was "about 50/50". They canceled the last three years in a row for just those reasons. The statement said that in seven years they have only been able to hold three races.

"What keeps us grateful is knowing the joy the Klondike brought to this community," the race wrote. "Whether you were a sponsor, volunteer, musher or spectator, your smiles and enthusiasm drove us forward each year. We all have so many incredible memories from the Klondike that we will carry in our hearts forever."

This is just the latest dissolution of a sled dog race in the last few years. Since Covid Alaska, Canada, and the Northern MidWest have seen a number of races end due to inconsistent weather patterns since Covid. Even races like the Yukon Quest saw the threat of forever ending - Canada did not hold a Quest race this year, but a new board hopes to revive it in 2027. The decision is never easy, but sometimes Mother Nature makes the decision for us. Watch, next year they'll have cold and lots of snow. Just seems to how things be.

"We are planning a farewell event to gather with our Klondike family and honor everything this race has meant," the board added. "We’ll also host a Klondike merchandise giveaway and raise a toast to what truly was the “coolest thing that happened in winter” in the Twin Cities. Please stay tuned for more details."

The Klondike Dog Derby was last run in 2023, Dave Hochman was the winner.

Holmes leads early in Kobuk 440

It should shock no one to see Jessie Holmes take an early lead in a race. It has worked out for him well this season, and has worked in his past wins in this race. Holmes isn't alone, though. Kevin Hansen, the hometown team, is hot on his heels running just about a mile behind the reigning champ. 

Hansen ran a solid race in his rookie Iditarod where he lead for a good portion of the race and gave his fellow rookies a run for their money for rookie of the year. Hansen ended up coming in the third highest ranked rookie in Iditarod. He's also been pretty consistent in the Kobuk over the last few years. These are his stomping grounds, and it looks like he wants to take advantage of the trails and having such a solid team to challenge Holmes.

Behind the top two are about five more teams on the trail between Noorvik and Selawik. While everyone chose to spend time in Noorvik, there are significantly different strategies in rest schedules early in the race. Every team must take a combined total of 20 hours of mandatory rest, and the race keeps track on their leaderboards for fans and officials alike can keep track on who really is where on the mushing math side of things.

The weather seems to be "perfect" for a dog race. Bluebird skies wished the mushers well as they took off on the sea ice at 12:30pm Thursday. The mass start went off without a hitch and the mushers so far have been all smiles in photos and video shared.

The 440 is one of the longer mid-distance races (some call it long distance even though it is under the 500 mile mark), so it's still anyone's race at this point, but Holmes is going to make them pry it out of his hands.

2026 Kobuk 440 musher roster & race preview

And now, the end is near, and so we face the final curtain. Yup, it's that time of year. The last "big race" of the season is upon us and that means it's truly Springtime in Alaska (where it has been 40 below). The Kobuk 440 kicks off Thursday afternoon and it's going to be another exciting race that's seen some pretty epic runs the last few years.

Eleven teams are set to hit the trail at 12:30pm Thursday, with snow forecasted Wednesday (only an inch) and mostly clear skies Thursday with highs in the mid twenties, it's going to be a much warmer run than what the Iditarod teams faced a few weeks ago. Accuweather also forecasts a steady 8mph wind, which sounds pretty mild for this part of Alaska, so it should be an overall plesant race this weekend.

Of the eleven teams, eight are teams lead by women. There are also three teams that ran the Iditarod (four if you count that Sadie Lindquist's team will be with the Daugherty mushers). Two-time Iditarod Champion (and four-time Kobuk champion) Jessie Holmes is back to try and keep his streak going (he's won the last three races in a row). Local Kotzebue musher Kevin Hansen is the lone hometown team this year.

This is one of the races this year that has a mass start - there's no time differential at play, no two minute intervals at the start. The race says GO and teams can all take off at the same time, though some hold back a beat or two to keep from getting caught in a traffic jam. The race starts on the ice so there's a lot of space. It's an exciting start to watch and it's over almost as quickly as it begins.

Teams can start with a max of twelve dogs and must finish with five dogs pulling in harness. Teams have a mandatory total of 20 hours of rest. Teams must complete the race by 2pm on April 6. A full list of rules can be found on the race's website.

But enough about all that let's take a look at the roster. As always the post will be edited after the bib draw (which takes place later today).

Musher Roster

Bib	Musher	Kennel	Link	Link	Link
1	Virag Racz	Mille & Co	Website	Facebook	Instagram
2	Sam McLain	Skookum Expeditions	Website	Facebook	Instagram
3	Kevin Hansen	Hansen Kennel		Facebook	Instagram
4	Jessie Holmes	Can't Stop Racing Kennel	Website	Facebook	Instagram
5	Kristy Berington	Hansen Kennel		Facebook	Instagram
6	Calvin Daugherty	Seavey's Ididaride	Website	Facebook	Instagram
7	Jody Potts-Joseph	Raven Clan Kennels	Website	Facebook	Instagram
8	Jennifer Nelson	Northern Lone Star Mushing		Facebook	Instagram
9	Annette Llanes	Honky Tonk Kennel		Facebook	Instagram
10	Larry Daugherty	Seavey's Ididaride	Website	Facebook
11	Jessi Downey	Aimaagvik Kennel		Facebook	Instagram

*Roster as of April 2, 2026 at 7:30am AKDT.

You know who's racing, but how are you going to watch if you can't get up to Kotzebue? So glad you asked!

How to Watch

Unlike what we just had with Iditarod (if you paid for Insider), the Kobuk like most of the mid-distance races relies more on social media posts and radio updates than they do video. Depending on weather and internet connection there may be live video of the start and finish. A frozen feed (pun somewhat intended) is possible, though the volunteer social media crew have gotten pretty good at making videos happen even if the livefeed doesn't. Along with the video feeds there are ways to keep up with the race happenings, so let's make sure we have all of the links you need.

Official Website
You can find the rules, links to all ways of following the race, and the history of the Kobuk 440 here. Musher bios are also available. The official website may have links to live feeds, so also keep a look out for that. Click here for the link.

GPS Tracker
We're all attached to this bit of technology. If you wonder where the term "tracky boi" came from, you can thank the Kobuk 440. Their social media team were the first to coin the phrase... the phrase that sets some fans' teeth on edge, but it's becoming more endearing each year. Once again, you can follow the race thanks to TrackLeaders. Beep-boop-beep.

Radio Broadcast
Race updates throughout the weekend will be broadcast over on KOTZ-AM. They have a livestream. They may broadcast the start, but it's unclear. Click here to listen in. (If that link doesn't work, try this one.)

Social Media
This is where it's at. The most entertaining race has to be the Kobuk 440 for their amazing social media team. The volunteers know how to get and keep your attention. You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter where they are most active as well as Instagram. KOTZ-AM also has a Facebook page that should share some race info throughout the weekend.

You know HOW to watch, but let's make sure you catch all the action by giving you the days and times of what is planned.

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, April 1
1:00pm - Meet the Mushers (Radio Interviews)
5:00pm - Musher Meeting
6:30pm - Bib Draw & Dinner

Thursday, April 2
12:30pm - Race Mass Start

Monday, April 6
2:00pm - Finish Cutoff
6:00pm - Awards Ceremony

Who are you excited to follow? Thoughts on who may take home the top prize? Comment with your thoughts below!

And, as always, you can Buy me a slice of pizza to help keep the blog up and running. It's always appreciated but never expected.

2026 Copper Basin 100 musher roster & race preview

After last year's lack luster winter (did we even HAVE winter in Alaska last year?) the Copper Basin 100 is excited to host the inaugural 100 mile event. Juniors mushers are welcome to join the competitive field in this event and the first ever race roster has a nice mix of seasoned and rookie competitors. Unlike the Copper Basin 300 (the CB100's older bigger brother), the CB100 should see much milder temps for teams to race in. The joys of early spring vs mid-winter!

Created to fill the need of entry level mid distance length races, the CB100 will run from Eureka Roadhouse in two fifty-mile loops where they will start, end, and finish at the roadhouse. There are reports of overflow, so it won't be a completely simple race. The views are said to be pretty incredible, though.

The rules state that the start will be in two minute intervals *unless* conditions allow for a mass start. The decision on what type of start the race will have will be decided ahead of the musher meeting and announced at the meeting. Nothing like a little pre-race suspense! The race will have one mandatory six hour stop at the halfway point of the race (at Eureka Lodge). Note that mushers have four hours after the first musher signs into the midway point to be allowed to finish the race. 

Teams must start with a minimum of seven dogs and no more than ten dogs. Teams must finish with at least five dogs pulling in harness. Firearms are not permitted to be carried by mushers under the age of 18 (and no team is allowed to have pyrotechnics - ie roman candles - in their sled....do we want to know why they had to have that rule?).

First through Third place will receive awards, as well as red lantern, sportsmanship (voted by mushers), vet care (voted by vets), and Golden Rake award (voted by checkpoint for which team's handler does the best clean up).

"The spirit of the CB100 is one of encouraging and empowering young mushers to accomplish big goals with their dog teams," the race writes in their rules. "We will have accomplished mushers around the race and at the checkpoint to offer advice about racing and to inspire the junior racers."

As with any first time race, it will just be fun to watch as we armchair mushers learn the trail with the teams. So, before this gets much longer, let's take a look at the roster. Note that bib numbers will be drawn at the musher meeting on Friday afternoon, so this blog will update to reflect bib/start order as soon as they are published.

Musher Roster

Musher	Kennel	Link	Link	Link
Bruce Carlton	Trails End Kennel (Junior Musher)		Facebook Bio	Instagram
Nathan Helmer	Copper Eagle Kennel		Facebook Bio
Nick Ness	Dream a Dream Kennel		Facebook
Cim Smith	Perserverance Springs Farm		Facebook
Joanna Weber	Motley Crew Kennel	Website	Facebook	Instagram
Noah Spies	(Junior Musher)	?	?	?
Miguel Isla Casares	AK Sled Dog Tours Kennel		Facebook	Instagram
William Baker	49th State Sled Dogs	Website	Facebook
Eddie Burke	Off the Rails Racing	Website	Facebook	Instagram
Emma Lewis	Wildwoods Mushing			Instagram
Justin Olnes	ReRun Kennel	Website	Facebook	Instagram
Grayson Bruton	The Cure Racing Kennel	Website	Facebook	Instagram
Sean de Wolski	Bouncing Bumbles	Website

Roster as of March 25, 2026 @ 9pm AKDT. 

So what can we expect on how to follow the race? Glad you asked. Let's take a look at what we know, and what we hope...

How to Watch

Official Website
The Copper Basin 300's website now has a full section dedicated to the inaugural CB100. You can find the musher roster, the race rules, trail description and map - among other things. 

Trackers
There doesn't seem to be anything saying there will be trackers. We may have to go completely old school on this one, folks, and wait for reports from the race to tell us how things are playing out. Waiting to get official word before giving up all hope. Have no fear! Trackers are here! 

Social Media
The Copper Basin is most active on Facebook and Instagram. Expect that updates will be mostly on their Facebook page, it is unclear if they will try to go LIVE.

Schedule of Events

Friday, March 27, 2026
9am - Vet Checks
Noon - Musher Meeting
2pm - Race Start

Saturday, March 28, 2026
Finishes throughout the day.
5pm - Finisher's Banquet

We've had several new races this season, are you ready for another one? Thoughts on the roster? Who do you expect to win? Who are you cheering for? Comment below with your thoughts!

If you like what you see and want to support my addiction (I mean HOBBY) of following these races and stalking (I mean cheering on) the mushers, you can buy me a slice of pizza (that really goes to paying for my internet/web expenses).

2026 Nome-Golovin 200 musher roster and race preview

Nome bid farewell to the hoopla of Iditarod Week Monday with officials, sponsors, and most of the teams and fans back home by Monday - but not everyone has had enough of Nome and her mushing trails. Put on by the Nome Kennel Club, the Nome to Golovin 200 mile sled dog race is set to take off Thursday night with seven teams vying for the top spot.

Of the seven teams running this year's race, one just completed the nearly thousand mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race. After almost a week long "break" from competing the team will be back out on the trail covering some of the same miles they just ran across days earlier.

Several other teams flew in for the race hoping to keep their season going just a little bit longer. And then there are the local teams, many attached to the kennel club as members of the board. It's a celebration of local and statewide talent that this year hopes to also bring a light to the opiod epidemic. The race plans to have each team carry Narcan in their sleds as a way to bring awareness and education to the area.

Teams will run from Nome to White Mountain and onto Golovin where they will have a mandatory six hour rest before turning around and heading back to Nome. Team must also take an additional six hours of "floating rest" which mushers will log in their logbook and it will be verified using the trackers. For the whole set of rules you can find them via the kennel club website. 

The mushers have their bib numbers already, though they won't have their musher's meeting until Wednesday. Vet Checks will happen Thursday before the teams take off Thursday Night. They expect a finish on Saturday.

So let's take a look at this small but mighty roster.

Musher Roster

Bib	Musher	Kennel	Link	Link	Link
1	Garrick Fuller	The Dog Lot		Facebook
2	Bailey Vitello	Team Bailey	Website	Facebook	Instagram
3	Burr Lemaire	Comstock Kennel		Facebook	Instagram
4	Jennifer Nelson	Northern Lone Star Mushing		Facebook	Instagram
5	Sarah Richards	Deja Vu Sled Dogs	Website	Facebook	Instagram
6	Annette Llanes	Honky Tonk Kennel		Facebook	Instagram
7	Diana Haecker	Artic Sky Kennel		Facebook

*Roster as of March 24 @ 8:30pm AKDT.

How to Watch

Official Website

There's not a whole lot of information on the race via the website, but the basics are there. You can also learn about the Nome Kennel Club - including its impressive history. 

Trackers

The race has confirmed that there will be trackers provided by trackleaders. Considering fans have gone into major tracker withdrawl after Iditarod finished, this will no doubt give great relief to many.

Social Media

The Nome Kennel Club's facebook page has given great info on each team running this weekend as well as info on the race itself. They've become pretty active lately and hopefully that will continue during the race.

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, March 25, 2026
6PM - Musher's Meeting

Thursday, March 26, 2026
9am-12pm - Vet Checks
6pm - Race Start

Saturday, March 28, 2026

Finishes to happen throughout the day.

Sunday, March 29, 2026
2pm - Musher's Banquet

Are you ready for another race? Who are you looking forward to seeing race down the trail? Comment below with your thoughts!

If you like what you see and want to support my addiction (I mean HOBBY) of following these races and stalking (I mean cheering on) the mushers, you can buy me a slice of pizza (that really goes to paying for my internet/web expenses).