October brings so much with it; snow in the Alaskan interior, cooler temps, Northern Lights return, and mid-distance sled dog races all over North America open up their race registrations. Mid-distance races are always popular with kennels of all sizes, and 2026's race season is looking especially full of new and returning faces. In a time when the longer distance races are fighting to keep going (Iditarod faces another year with a roster as small as the early years of the race, the Quest is still split in two with smaller rosters and trail difficulties) it seems mid-distance is where the real excitement is building.
October is traditionally when most of the Alaskan races open registration, with the Copper Basin and the Knik races starting the charge. With the Knik races the 100 is scheduled for late December (Dec 20, 2025 to be exact) and the 200 is set to be the first race of 2026 (January 2, 2026). Within hours (or maybe minutes) of registration opening, the Knik 100 was full with a healthy waiting list. The 200 at last check still has a few slots available.
Copper Basin (set to run January 10, 2026) also opened its registration at the very beginning of October, releasing the roster Thursday morning. It, too, is full with a waiting list started. The CB caps its roster at 40 entries and hasn't seen a full roster in several years (it's often come close, however). Dubbed the toughest 300 miles on sled, the Copper Basin is a fan and musher favorite, so it's no surprise it has a robust roster.
The most successful (financially if not also for fandom and musher roster alike) mid-distance race in Alaska - the Kuskokwim 300 opened still has a couple of spots left on its roster after just 24 hours of registration open. The race caps at 20 and is one of only two major mid-distance races not accessible by road. Teams not in Westeran Alaska fly in days ahead of race day and are hosted by local families in Bethel. The Kusko boasts a hefty purse each year and receives high praise as one of - if not the best - run organizations in mushing. Its roster has quite the star studded line up as Iditarod and Local legends are set to compete January 23, 2026.
Outside of Alaska the famous John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon opened registration and boasts a strong roster. They currently have thirteen signed up for the marathon and fifteen for the shorter distance. The excitement is building after last year's devastating cancelation due to lack of snow in the Mid-West and Upper Peninsula. Everyone everywhere is hoping for snow as even Alaska found it difficult to keep snow on the ground and forced a last minute move for the Start of Iditarod to Fairbanks. The Beargrease hopes to leave the starting line January 25, 2026.
There are many more races with registration open or set to open soon. Mushing social media is all a buzz as kennels announce their plans for racing season. Recreational teams as well as Professional teams come together for these smaller more intimate races and the spirit of mushing feels as fresh and alive as ever. 2026 looks to be an exciting racing season for fans and teams alike.
Thoughts on the rosters above? What races are you looking most forward to? Who do you plan to cheer for? Comment below and let me know!
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