Mid-Distance races open up registration this weekend

With snow falling consistently for the last two weeks in Alaska, fans can officially say it's mushing season. Teams began early fall training late in August and have continued to share their impressive early season miles as the weather remains cool to crisp. While races like the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod open registration in mid to late summer, the mid distance races wait to organize as thoughts turn to long hours on the back of a dog sled. 

This weekend two of the big names in mid-distance races opened registration. The Copper Basin 300 in Alaska and the John Beargrease of Minnesota opened registration Saturday with much fanfare. With Covid numbers rising in Alaska and elsewhere, it was curious if there would be much enthusiasm by the mushing community to look ahead to January and sign up - but sign up they did.

While the Copper Basin is missing some familiar names to the opening name roster - most noticeable is reigning champion Nicolas Petit is not listed (however the musher did comment with plans to sign up, but was having credit card issues) - the Beargrease is welcoming a rookie to their race but not to the sport Wade Marrs. Marrs joins a field with several past champions (Redington, the Frekings, and reigning champion Erin Letzring) as well as some fan favorites and is shaping up to be one competitive race. The Beargrease is partnered with the Iditarod and QrillPet Sports as part of the "Grand Prix" of mushing known as QRILL PAWS Arctic World Series which began in 2019 but has since been sidelined due to the global pandemic. 

The Copper Basin 300 race begins in Glen Allen on January 8, 2022. Registration is open for the first 50 teams, after which names will be held on a waiting list until/if a spot opens up. Deadline to register is December 1, with late entries being allowed for an extra $150 registration fee. So far, the Copper Basin has not maxed out on registrations. 

The John Beargrease Marathon's registration is open from now until January 27, however if mushers want to get in at the cheapest rate they need to sign up by December 31. For the marathon race, due to covid mitigation - they will cap the registration at 25 teams (and then a wait list). The marathon has not maxed out its roster, yet. The race begins in Rice Lake Township on January 30, 2022.

Other races have also opened registration or will open in the next couple of weeks. Snow is literally in the air. It feels like sled dog season. Before we know it, we'll be cheering our teams from the comforts of our home (or out on the trail). 

Which races are you excited to watch? Who are you excited to see sign up, and who are you hoping to see add their name to the roster(s)? Comment below!

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Fantasy Mushing - Join the Fun!

Several years ago Danny Seavey didn't have enough to do with running his family's tourism business, being a dad, and blogging about his dad and brother running Iditarod. No, Danny needed something more to do and he created a Fantasy Mushing League for everyone to join and add a new element of fun while following the Iditarod. What started out as a Google Spreadsheet with Danny computing everything, has now grown to its own website (run by David Hunt, volunteer extraordinaire). They've also expanded from just Iditarod rosters to include the Copper Basin 300, Yukon Quest, and Finmarkslopet.

The "league" is always free of charge and just a fun way to follow the sport. Improvement suggestions are encouraged, and there are simple ways to financially support the site should one want to.

You can even create your own "pack" so that you can play directly against friends, family, and fan groups.

If you want to join a pack, you're more than welcome to join "Iditafans".

Registration is currently open for the 2020 Copper Basin 300 and will close two hours after the race begins (so roughly 12pm AKST).


Do you have a team in Fantasy Mushing? Share your team name in the comments below!