Roster Run Downs (Pt 1)

Several mid-distance and junior races have opened registration for their races in the last couple of weeks. The Kuskokwim 300 capped their roster about ten days after opening. The Knik 200 closed their roster after just 48 hours. Copper Basin 300, John Beargrease, Yukon Quests Canada and Alaska, and the Can-Am have also released updated roster lists. 

Instead of trying to keep up, this blog decided to do a run down of all of the initial sign ups here. Let's get to it, shall we?

First up on the run down is the ACE Race. While an "unofficial" race for the season - as in it isn't used as a qualifier for anything other than the qualify that it's the start of the race season - it's one of the most popular races according to mushers and fans alike. It's not one to easily follow as there are no trackers, no checkpoints, and the only updates one can find are the ones on their Facebook page, still, it needs to be included on all mushing fan's radar.

The true kick off of the season will be the Knik 100 which will take place December 16, followed a few weeks later by the Knik 200 on January 6. Both rosters are FULL just 48-72 hours after opening registration and there are wait lists.

Minnesota's Gunflint Mail Run opened registration on November 1, and according to their website their roster of 15 teams is already full. They've not updated their website or social media with a current list of teams, however, so keep an eye open! This is another race that begins on January 6 - so just don't plan on doing anything but following multiple trackers and social media pages.

January 13th will host the start of the Copper Basin 300 - the COLDEST 300 miles of sled dog racing. This is another popular race in Alaska, though the race has yet to fill its roster (to be fair it caps at 50 which is the largest of the mid-distance rosters). Still, the roster is already getting fan buzz considering some of the names signed up. We'll let you guess who might have caused that.

Boasted as Oregon's only Iditarod/Quest qualifier, the Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race also has open registration for its race. The 100 mile race is already full with a waitlist, but it looks like the 200 still has some space (the 200 can be used as a qualifier for the bigger races in Alaska/Canada). You can keep up with the lists by visiting their website. The races begin on January 18.

The Pedigree Stage Stop race has opened registration and they put the roster on the main page of their website. Pretty easy to find, check it out. The first stage begins January 26.

The 40th running of the John Beargrease Marathon is FULL. You can take a look at the rosters of each of the miled races on their website! It's quite exciting. The race kicks off on January 28.

The Femundlopet opened registration this fall as well and it has its rosters for its different miled races on its website. You'll have to translate it into English, but there's a lot of great info on the race that begins February 7.

Caledonia Classic, which kicks off February 2, has their roster on their website.

The Klondike Dog Derby, also starting on February 2, has a FULL roster with an overflowing wait list. You can see all the registered names, and those waiting, on their website. A lot of very recognizable names DIDN'T get their paperwork in in time to have a guaranteed spot!

Yukon Quest Alaska has its rosters up on their website, you'll appreciate that they include kennel names and links (it's catching on)! The races take off February 3.

Yukon Quest Canada also starts February 3 (so sad when mom and dad can't get along, isn't it? The kids shouldn't have to choose which parent to love more.) They have their rosters on their website. Neither Quests are full. 

And to end this somewhat long blog, we'll feature the Willow JUNIOR race. This is NOT affiliated with the now defunct Willow 300 race, and that's a positive considering junior races are harder and harder to find these days. They took to facebook to share their current roster.

Check back soon for part two of the run down. But, for now, which of these rosters do you find most exciting? Who are you excited to see signed up? Which race is your favorite? Comment your thoughts below.

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 would greatly appreciate it. 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".

"Not a wildcard anymore!" Eddie Burke wins Knik 200

At about 11:15am Alaska time, Eddie Burke Jr. was first to the finish line on Knik Lake to win the Knik 200. Considered a newcomer by many, Burke sticking with the lead teams and then taking the lead surprised mushing fans - but not his fans nor his kennel. 

As he stopped the team and jumped off to celebrate with his team he yelled out to Kale Casey filming live at the finish that he was no longer a wildcard. The musher gave pets to all of the dogs and a big bear hug from his daughter before signing off the trail as the 2023 Champion.

Eddie is running a team out of Aaron Burmeister's Wildstyle Racing Kennel. Burke has been training under Burmeister's mentorship for about three years now and is looking to complete his first Iditarod in March. Brent Sass would finish several minutes behind him with a happy strong team.

As Brent spoke with Eddie after taking care of their teams. "I thought you were Nic, that's how much I know! I really thought you were Nic!"

So it isn't just trackers that are confused out there. 

Burke and Sass battling for first

Eddie Burke at the Iditarod Picnic.
June 25, 2022. Wasilla, Alaska

Nic Petit left out of the mandatory six hour layover in first early this morning, but by the time the front teams reached the Eagle Quest 2 Checkpoint Petit had given trail to Iditarod Champion Brent Sass. Burke, Petit, and Sass were the chase pack all of Saturday, so it's no surprise that coming off of time differentials they were able to leave ahead of front runners Hugh Neff and Michelle Phillips. 

Michelle Phillips and Hugh Neff left the chute Saturday morning burning on all cylinders, there wasn't a lot of brake riding on the lake and they tore up the trail on a mission. In a two hundred mile race that isn't a bad strategy, speed early doesn't always equal a bad thing (it's three hundred and above that being speedy doesn't always work). But, Neff was the second one out of the start, and Michelle was fourth, they had a longer time differential in the mandatory layover than some of the other teams (Burke is Bib 5, but held with the front runners). That gave Sass and Petit in the chase pack a small advantage as they didn't have quite the same layover.

Burke may come as a surprise to some, he's newer to the mushing game (as a musher) and is signed up as a rookie for Iditarod 51. Burke, though, has the privilege of not only learning from Aaron Burmeister, but he's running Burmeister's dog team. This is the same team that Burmeister's kennel partner Tony Browning will run in the Kusko 300 later this year, and Eddie will drive the team to Nome in the Iditarod. It's a brilliant combination that helps Eddie be right in the mix with the big guns.

Judging by the trackers at around 8:15am Sunday morning, Burke appears to be in the lead just about half a mile ahead of the reigning Iditarod champion. The trackers have been fickle for all of this race, most likely due to the cold teams have experienced all weekend, so we won't know for sure who's in the lead until they cross the finishline in about two and a half hours.

That's right, we're expecting a finish between 10:30am and 11am. Looking at times into Knik Lake last night plus speeds of the teams at the moment, the front runners have about two and a half hours left on the runners. This race is far from over, and no one has shot out ahead of everyone, so it's promising to be an exciting morning.

The red lantern is currently Kaiden Foster who is running dogs out of Nic Petit's kennel and is going at a very slow pace in comparison to the Kennel owner's style. We've had one scratch with Casey Ann Randall of Rock On Racing. No report yet on why she chose to end her race early, but I am sure Randall will give us a run down when the time is right.

Stay tuned, folks, it's another great day of racing ahead!

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Neff, Phillips lead the Knik 200

With a little more than a quarter of the race out of the day, the race for first is between two mushers known by mans worldwide. Hugh Neff left second out of the chute and quickly took the lead, with Michelle Phillips heading out just as fast out of Knik Lake and catching up with him. 

Watching the trackers the two blips have been playing leap frog, though it is more likely that Neff has been leading the entire way. Both teams came in hot to the Eagle Quest Lodge as the first checkpoint. Neff left a dog in the hands of handlers and continued on, Phillips took the corner into the checkpoint too tight and dumped her sled but was righted quickly and she left soon after. 

The chase pack is led by Eddie Burke from Wildstyle Racing. Burke will be a rookie in this year's Iditarod, and is running this race as a training run for himself and his team. Wildstyle racing is Aaron Burmeister's kennel and while Burmeister is stepping away from Iditarod to focus on family and his business, he's handed off the A-team to Burke. He has the team to challenge the more veteran teams.

Kale Casey just reported that it is now eight below at Eagle Quest Lodge, and as the sun sets it will continue to get colder. Frosty dogs are happy dogs, but the mushers will be happy to make it back to Knik Lake for their mandatory rest and warm up. 

2023 Knik 200 race preview

It's the first race weekend of 2023! Welcome back, mushing fans, it's upon us once again! Luckily South Central Alaska was hit with a ton of snow early in December so even with our warmer temperatures of late the Knik 200 has been able to stay alive and run this weekend, so here we go! 

The Knik 200 is a memorial race in honor of the late Joe Redington Sr. For those that may be new to this sport, Redington is known as the Father of the Iditarod. Without Joe we may never have had these longer distance races much less the beautiful niche community of long distance mushers. 

Typically the honorary musher is Joe Sr, but this year they've chosen mushing legend Lance Mackey for the honor. Mackey dominated the sport from 2006-2010, he was a four-time Iditarod and four-time Yukon Quest champion (winning both in the same year twice). Lance passed away from a battle with cancer last summer, and many races are paying tribute to one of the sports greatest mushers.

There are currently 33 names on the roster (as of January 4, 2023) with a handful of teams that are sure to challenge for the win. Let's get to looking at the top names to watch.

Who to Watch

Brenda Mackey - While one could make the argument that the last name "Mackey" would be enough to qualify any musher for "who to watch" in Brenda's case it's a legit argument. The daughter of Iditarod Champion Rick Mackey is no stranger to the lifestyle or the sport and she and her husband have built a fantastic program in their kennel. Brenda has had a difficult end to 2022 with the loss of her beloved uncle as well as now her father dealing with his own battle with cancer, as well as another uncle currently fighting cancer. Once Brenda gets out on the runners she will have a good chance of leaving those worries behind and focusing on the team and trail in front of her. Look for her to make a bid for the win. Brenda has withdrawn.

Brent Sass - the reigning Iditarod Champion is no stranger to winning, he's also a multi-time winner of the Yukon Quest, and he certainly seems prepped to ride the upswing of last year's win for quite a few years. While he could be using the Knik 200 as a way to get the team back into the swing of the race rhythm don't expect him to hold back for the red lantern position either. 

Dave Turner - Dave had to bow out of last year's race, but don't expect that to mean he won't be able to hold his own and challenge for the win this year. Dave thrives in these mid-distance races and could prove to once again be the dark horse. Dave has withdrawn.

Jason Mackey - I don't think there are many mushing fans who aren't pulling for Jason to have a breakout year in 2023. The younger brother of Lance Mackey, Jason has always been in the mix in Iditarod, but he isn't always able to make the mid-distance races, but it looks like Jason's "Top Notch" Kennel is looking to make their mark. He's a musher in his own right and not riding on anyone's coattails, but he's also keeping Lance's kennel alive and running some of Lance's dogs. I'm not counting Jason out of a top finish.

Matt Failor - The expectant dad (baby due in June!) knows these trails, and is a solid musher. He won the Kuskokwim 300 a couple years back and is a consistent top place finisher in races he enters. He was trained up by four time Iditarod champion Martin Buser, so Matt has a strong advantage in that regard from some of his cohorts on the trail. I'd give him an outside chance.

Nic Petit - I'm still declaring Petit the King of the Mid-Distance race. Team Petit thrives on the 200 and 300 mile races. He likes to start fast and race fast all the way through. It makes for a very exciting race but also devastating when the team runs out of gas before trail. Nic is a fan favorite by how he seems to just fly by the seat of his pants, his persona is one of shrugging chaos, and he likes to refer to himself as the team dad and the dogs are his kids. I'd say he's the front runner leading into the race.

Travis Beals - One of those Alaskan kids who grew up knewing he was going to be a dog musher and run these races he grew up watching and volunteering at. Beals is a solid contender year in and year out. He's got the goods to do it, and you shouldn't count him out.

Michelle Phillips - We don't have names for the two teams that Tagish Lake Kennel, but one can assume one of the teams could be Michelle Phillips, in which case definitely put her in the top running for a win. Michelle is a strong competitor who chooses dogs over everything else and we love her for it. 

**Hugh Neff - Neff is once again running dogs out of Jim Lanier's kennel. He has a lot of controversy surrounding him lately that was years in the making. With Neff not being allowed to run the Iditarod this year he made the announcement he'd run the Knik 200 instead (because it's comparable?) he name drops Joe Sr. almost daily and so I expect he will push the dogs past their limits if need be to try and make a point. In a 200 mile race that may not be a bad thing for the race, but it's also why there are so many races that have put his entries into question.

How to Watch

For those of us who cannot watch in person, there will be a lot of refreshing of internet pages, here's a run down on how you can follow along with this weekend's race.

Official Website
The race had to restructure their organization a couple of years ago and is now under the direction of the Knik Iditarod Trail Blazers, so they have just a page on their site for the race, but it has the rules and basic information.

GPS Tracker
What would we do without these little trackers that drive us crazy when they go haywire (I will always blame the aliens), trackleaders.com will once again keep us obsessively refreshing our screen with their wonderful GPS map. It isn't live yet, so an edit to this blog post will happen once it does. The 2023 map and trackers can be found here.

Social Media
The race is most active on Facebook. The race has not been active on Twitter in years. There's also no Instagram. 

And I've just heard that KALE CASEY will be covering the event LIVE, so be sure to watch for when he goes live on Facebook!

Schedule of Events

Friday, January 6, 2023
4:00pm-6:00pm Musher's Dinner and Bib Draw
**It's steak dinner night, come hungry**

Saturday, January 7, 2023
8:00am Mandatory Vet Check
10:00am Start
**Teams will start on Knik Lake**

Sunday, January 8, 2023
6:00pm Award Banquet

Which team do you think will win? Who are you cheering for? Comment below!

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2023 Knik 200 Roster

We've made it race fans! The "regular season" is upon us. After record tying - and in some cases breaking - snow fall in the month of December, trails have been dug out and groomed for the mid distance races throughout the great State of Alaska and it kicks off this weekend with the Knik 200 Joe Redington Memorial Race in, where else but Knik, Alaska. 

Thirty three teams signed up to run the 2023 race, with the final team signing up right at the wire. [Now twenty five are signed up as of musher meeting/bib draw on January 6, 2023.] There is a strong mix of veterans and rookies in the mix. Many familiar names and quite a few that are new to most fans. Some will use this race as a way to jumpstart their training plans for the Quest and Iditarod races, others are using this as one of their qualifiers for those races - and some are just out there to have fun!

As has become the "tradition" on Reitter's Block, I've compiled links for each member of the roster. As requested last season, I've also put the kennel name (when known) in parenthesis. Bib draw will happen Friday, January 6, 2023 - so, for now, names will be listed alphabetically until they are updated with the correct numbers. Bibs are drawn, the roster has been edited to reflect bib number and start order.

01 - Honorary Musher, Lance Mackey
02 - Hunter Keefe (Redington Mush Alaska) - Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
03 - Hugh Neff (Jim Lanier's Northern Whites) - Facebook / Instagram
04 - Michelle Phillips (Tagish Lake) - Website / Facebook / Instagram
05 - Eddie Burke (Wildstyle Racing) - Website / Facebook / Instagram
06 - Travis Beals (Turning Heads) - Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
07 - Matt Failor (Alaskan Husky Adventures/17th Dog)- Website / Facebook / Instagram
08 - David Burge (Nautique Sky) - Website / Facebook
09 - Casey Ann Randall (Rock On Racing) - Website / Facebook / Twitter
10 - Josh McNeal (Crooked Creek) - Website / Facebook / Instagram
11 - Jennifer LaBar (Rockin' Ridge) - Website / Facebook / Instagram
12 - Jason Mackey (Mackey's Top Notch Racing) - Website / Facebook
13 - Joshua Robbins (Evermore Adventures?) - Facebook / Outreach 22 / Kennel Facebook
14 - Brent Sass (Wild and Free Mushing) - Website / Facebook / Instagram
15 - Nic Petit (Team Petit) - Website / Facebook / Instagram
16 - Aiyana O’Shaughnessy (Tagish Lake?) - Website / Facebook / Instagram
17 - Juliah DeLoach (Oil Well Kennel?) - Facebook
18 - Anna Berington (Seeing Double) - Website / Instagram
19 - Kelly Ridley (Lost Creek Mushing) - Facebook
20 - Ashley Dove (Crooked Creek) - Website / Facebook / Instagram
21 - Jacob Witkop (Piledriver Kennel) - Facebook / Instagram
22 - Kaiden Foster (Team Petit) - Website / Facebook / Instagram
23 - Katie Timmons (Tailwind Kennel)  - Facebook 24 - Eric Kelly (Daybreak Kennel)- Facebook / Instagram 25 - Kristy Berington (Seeing Double) - Website / Instagram
26 - Anna Hennessy (Shameless Huskies) - Facebook / Instagram 27 - Dakota Schlosser - Website / Facebook / Instagram

Roster as of January 6, 2023.

Who are you cheering for? Comment below!

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2022 Knik 200 Race Preview

Happy New Year, race fans! 2022 is just a day away and with that comes the first "major" race of the season! In an almost Christmas Miracle like fashion, the Knik 200 is set to run for the first time in several years. Plagued with both bad weather making trails impossible and then of course pandemics, the Knik 200 was all but considered a dead race. Last year the board disbanded and handed over control to the race's future to the Knik Trail Blazers who were not ready to give up on the sled dog race meant to tribute the Father of the Iditarod. Everyone held their breath throughout December as temps dipped low and snow accumulated (what a roller coaster of temps). Then over Christmas Chinook Winds came in and melted quite a bit of snow, but it wasn't enough to derail the rejuvenated season opener. 

The roster at one point was over 20 teams for the 200 (the 100 also has a healthy roster with well known names), however storms and other issues saw several names withdraw late - but completely understandable. Still, 18 teams plan to hit the trails tomorrow. So let's look at some of the key players in this weekend's race.

Who to Watch

Aaron Burmeister - the runner up in the 2021 Iditarod, Burmeister has announced this is his final competitive season (at least where Iditarod is concerned). Family has always been Aaron's main focus and as his kids get older he wants to be present for all of their accomplishments. Stand up guy, and a great dog man. Burmeister ended his Iditarod run heated and wanting to do more. I expect Aaron to have a solid race season, with the main focus finally bringing that Iditarod win home to Nome. All races/runs will be with that focus in mind (I'm totally guessing as I don't know what his plans really are). 

Dave Turner - Dave has become a name to watch in mid-distance races. His team is fast and he is a quick study. Expect him to make a run for the win here, and don't be surprised if he does. Turner was the final Tustumena 200 champion, but that was a few years ago now, but ever since that win I'm hard pressed to keep him off the "who to watch" lists. Turner has withdrawn from the race. 

Matt Failor - Failor is one of many of his generation of musher on the "upswing". The 2019 Kuskokwim Champion has really come into his own (he freaking ran the Iditarod while hobbling along on a bum hip! WHAT?!) and there's no sign that he is slowing down yet. Expect Matt to be right there in the mix for the win. 

Nicolas Petit - I keep crowning him the king of the mid-distance race, but it really is where Petit's team seems to thrive. I'm more apt to declare him the favorite to win a mid-distance than I am to declare him a shoo-in for a long distance championship. Expect Petit to take the lead early and do everything to keep it. But ALSO expect that he just is entering this for fun and will sit back. One can never be sure which Nic will show up.

Travis Beals - another "young" musher who makes a statement in most races. Beals is also focused on Iditarod and uses races to prepare for the big one. He could easily find himself in the top teams in this race as his team IS a top team.

**Hugh Neff - Neff proved himself last season after running the Summit Quest last year. Having fulfilled his requirements of reinstatement from the Yukon Quest after being suspended for having questionable dog care during the race several years ago, Neff has returned to regularly scheduled programming. I have him as an "honorable mention" because some personal life upheaval had Neff making the move from the interior to south central Alaska and he's now running dogs out of Jim Lanier's kennel. Hugh could be very competitive here, or he could be middle of the pack. Not knowing what the plan is, I didn't want to list him as a shoo-in for a top placement. 

How to Watch

With the restructuring, most of the info has been hard to find. It could be that come race day I'll be on the fly giving info, but here's what we know so far:

Official Website
The race does not have an official website, but they are active on Facebook. Expect most information and updates to be posted there, though it may take a while. 

GPS Tracker
The race WILL have trackers for both the 200 and 100 race, but the link has not been posted by trackleaders yet. You'll find the map with the trackers here.

Social Media
As I said above, they are active on Facebook. The race has not been active on Twitter in years. There's also no Instagram. However, with the Knik Trail Blazers being in charge they may also post to their Facebook. We'll see what we get. It's a reorganizing/rebuilding year, we'll take what we can get. 

Schedule of Events

Friday, December 31, 2021
3:00pm-5:00pm Musher's Dinner and Bib Draw

Saturday, January 1, 2022
8:00am Knik 200 Mandatory Vet Check
10:00am Knik 200 Start
12:00pm Knik 100 Mandatory Vet Check
2:00pm Knik 100 Start

Sunday, January 2, 2022
6:00pm Award Banquet

Which team do you think will win? Who are you cheering for? Comment below!

Edited 12/31/21 to note Dave Turner's withdrawal and adding the link to the trackers.

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2022 Knik 200 Musher Roster

It's the final countdown! In just a few days time we will have the mushing season in full swing. While other races have taken place in this very snowy December in Alaska, the Knik 200 has always been the kick off to the "regular season". (Look at those beautiful football analogies applied to dog mushing.) Warm temps and increasingly late snows in the last decade have seen many a Knik 200 be canceled, but it looks like all systems are go for the 2022 race. Last year the race saw a major overhaul to the board and is now under the direction of the Knik Trail Blazers. The new board seems to have a lot of enthusiasm which has trickled down to the teams interested in running. The roster boasts a lot of familiar and top names in the Alaskan mushing community and should provide a very exciting opener for fans to follow along.

Musher Roster

1 Spirit of Joe Redington Sr.
2 Hugh Neff - Facebook / Instagram
3 Eddie Burke - Facebook / Instagram
4 Walter Robinson - Facebook 
5 Anna Berington - Website / Instagram
6 Travis Beals - Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
7 Casey Randall - Website / Facebook / Twitter
8 Kristy Berington - Website / Instagram
9 Braxton Peterson - Website / Facebook / Instagram
10 Katie Timmons - Facebook 
11 Karin Hendrickson - Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
12 Matt Failor - Website / Facebook / Instagram
13 Isaac Teaford - Facebook
14 Hunter Keefe - Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
15 Aaron Burmeister - Facebook
16 Nicolas Petit - Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
17 Lev Shvarts - Website / Facebook 

Who are you cheering for? Comment below!

Edited 12/31/2021 to remove Jeff and KattiJo Deeter from the roster as they withdrew prior to the race.
Edited 12/31/2021 to remove Dave Turner and Dakota Schlosser & to organized based on bib draw.

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Knik 200 & 100 looking at possible reschedule

This is not the first time weather has created problems for the race. 2013, 2015, and 2016 all saw the race cancellation due to warm weather and lack of snow. South Central Alaska has been hammered with unseasonably warm temperatures and rain. The Knik race is the first major race of the season, but other races - like the Tustumena 200 - are also in danger of having to cancel due to lack of snow and frozen lakes/rivers.

Without the mid-distance races, many Iditarod hopefuls cannot qualify for Alaska's most important race. Mushers must complete several mid-distance races to qualify for Iditarod or the Yukon Quest. The roster for the Knik 200 is full with several teams on the waiting list.

Time to up the intensity of the snow dance.

Dates and links for the 2015-2016 Mushing Season

Dallas Seavey's team during Iditarod 43's ceremonial start in Anchorage, AK.

I've chosen to just link up to the "main races" in Alaska... I feel like I've missed one or two, so if you catch one I've missed please comment below and I will fix that problem!

Solstice 50
December 19, 2015
Website / Facebook

Knik 200
January 2, 2016
Website / Twitter / Facebook
 
Copper Basin 300
January 9, 2016
Website / Twitter / Facebook
 
Kuskokwim 300
January 15, 2016
Website / Twitter / Facebook
 
Gin Gin 200
January 22, 2016
Website / Facebook
 
Tustumena 200
January 30, 2016
Website / Twitter / Facebook

Denali Doubles
February 4, 2016
Website / Facebook
 
Yukon Quest
February 6, 2016
Website / Twitter / Facebook
 
Yukon 300
February 6, 2016
Website / Twitter / Facebook
 
Iditarod 44
March 5, 2016
Website / Twitter / Facebook
 
Kobuk 440
April 7, 2016
Website / Facebook

I don't know if I will have time to blog about the races this year or not, hope to. Iditarod, at least, will get my attention. Also the T200 - should the snow we have now grows/stays... no more cancellations! We need a real race season!

I'm dreaming of a white Iditarod

Dan Seavey with grandson Conway
at the Ceremonial Start of Iditarod 38.

...just like the ones I used to know. Where rivers are frozen, sleds aren't always broken, and the trail is covered with fresh snow!

I'm dreaming of a white Iditarod... with every day that passes by!

Okay, just be thankful that you didn't have to hear me sing that. Today South Central woke up to some rather happy snow accumulation - and it's still coming down!

This is exciting, but a little snow is just the start of what is needed to see some positive changes for the races of South Central. The Knik 200 posted on their website Wednesday that they would be moving the start of the race off of the lake and onto the Deshka airstrip. No doubt the snow is a welcome bonus as now trails will be covered for next week's start - as long as weather holds.

Things are still bleak down on the Kenai where the Tustumena 200 anxiously awaits the freezing temps that will hopefully solidify the trails over the waterways and they can use the snow to put in a decent trail. Until the snow accumulation started yesterday there was next to no snow on any part of the trail that starts in Kasilof and makes its way down to Homer and back. The race is set to kick off on Feb 21 - after rescheduling from the original date of Feb 7 - but without a firmly set trail there's no way that they will safely pull it off. Race officials will not make the decision to cancel until closer to race time - but they are keeping teams on the roster well informed of how things are going and what they are planning.

With 43 days until the Iditarod, the restart is still the biggest question - where will they host it? Tradition has always been South Central/MatSu - with one exception in 2003 when Chinook winds made a restart in Wasilla or Willow impossible and the race was run from Fairbanks. Officials are still talking of that being the posibility for Iditarod this year as well, but won't make that decision for at least another month.

There are also rumors that there isn't enough snow in the area to truck in for a Ceremonial Start in Anchorage - but if this weekend's snow sticks around those rumors should be easily laid to rest. It's 11 miles through Anchorage, I'm sure they can manage with little to no snow in spots.

So keep up the snow dances, prayers, sacrifices, whatever else you're doing folks. We've got a lot of winter left before race day!

Time adjustments cost Mackey a win.

The Knik 200 came down to splitting hairs when deciding the winner, and the deciding factor was not at the finish line. Lance Mackey's team came through the chute first with Jake Berkowitz so close behind. Officials then went to check on times for each musher. With the snow storm hitting its fiercest point along the region, communications were down, meaning the official decision was delayed in announcement.

People on the ground tweeted that Mackey'd won, but were unaware that Mackey was premature in leaving after his six hour layover in the Skwentna checkpoint. Because of his leaving three minutes early, Berkowitz was awarded first place with Mackey taking second once the times were determined. Ray Reddington Jr. was third.

Teams are still out on the trail. Follow the race via twitter @Knik200 or their website.

Knik 200 finish too close to be determined

It was a neck and neck for race veterans Lance Mackey and Jake Berkowitz with a finish too close to tell. According to the twitter feed an official ruling will determine the 2012 Knik Race winner. With the weather turning ugly all around the south central region, it's good to hear that nothing slowed the front runners down. It looks as though DeeDee Jonrowe and Ray Reddington have also finished.

Knik 200 a training run for Team Jonrowe

 Just hours before the weekend's sled dog race was set to kick off, mushing favorite DeeDee Jonrowe posted on her facebook that the Knik 200 was going to be a training run. Jonrowe, 58, runs her kennel out of Willow, Alaska where the Iditarod now starts from. Jonrowe is a long time musher - starting back in 1979 - and, like many mushers, has her sights set on the "big race" in March.

She posted yesterday on her facebook:

"Don't be concerned about wherever Justin High and I finish in Knik 200 tomorrow. This is a training run and both of us have unproven dogs that are out for experience. We are keeping our "eye on the prize", and that is in March. This weekend is about "time on the trail", kind of like "time on your feet" for you runners." 

The Knik 200 is a two day 200 mile sled dog race that starts in Knik and stops at Iditarod checkpoints of Yentna Station and Swentna before doubling back and finishing back at the starting point. The race is used by Iditarod rookies as one of several required mid distance Iditarod qualifying races. Conditions for this year's race couldn't be more perfect with temperatures hovering just below zero and enough snow that it will be a hard, fast paced trail.

The race is dedicated to, and named for, Joe Reddington Sr. who is known as the father of the Iditarod. Reddington was concerned with the dwindling number of sled dogs in Alaska with the boom of airplane transportation and roads. To save the Alaska pioneer way of life, as well as a unique breed of dog, Reddington began his quest to bring mushers together in the early 70s and the first race was run in 1973. Since then the sport has grown in popularity and technology.

According to the latest posts on the Knik 200 facebook and twitter, the first team will cross the finish line around 1:30pm Alaska time today.