Farewell to the Northern Lights 300

Mushers and fans alike were saddened to learn today that the Board for the Northern Lights 300 sled dog race has disbanded. The race typically scheduled to run at the end of January has had a rough couple of years with poor weather and trail conditions, as well as seeing smaller roster numbers. In their announcement this morning, the race pointed out that financial obstacles that made running without a full roster impossible. The race was cancelled last year due to lack of participants.

The Northern Lights 300 is a well established race that took place in the heart of Alaskan mushing country. The race was hosted yearly by Happy Trails Kennel - owned by four-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser - and boasted some very robust rosters over the years. Starting in 2013, however, the race, like many other races that take place in "South Central Alaska", began dealing with poor weather conditions. While 2012 was bitterly cold, the very next year saw "soupy" trails and rain. The race went on, even though last minute decisions had to be made to trail route.

2014 and 2015 ran very much the same - trail routes switched around, and roster filled and overflowing with waits as the Tustumena 200 - which typically runs the same weekend - postponed or cancelled their race due to no snow or frozen rivers to cross. Last minute trail changes are always a logistical nightmare as well as financial to make it possible to lay in the trail and make sure the race had the mileage needed to keep it a 300 and qualifier for other races such as the Iditarod and Yukon Quest.

Last year, the Northern Lights 300 found itself with just a handful of teams. The Tustumena 200 was able to run their race, even though they had to change their route, and many teams stuck with the Kenai Peninsula's only mid-distance race. The NL300 just could not find the teams to fill their roster, and so made the tough decision to pull the plug on the 2017 race.

Now they are pulling the plug on the race entirely. Other races will go on in their stead. The Tustumena 200 will hopefully be able to run again this year - though there is concern that this will be another warm winter which could make the race impossible. This is yet another sign of changing times where finances for races are tight, and the weather has wreaked havoc on any game plan. Without knowing that a race will go on, most teams will pass for other events that have a better chances of happening (meaning heading North or to Canada and MidWest USA).

See the full announcement below:

Alaska's winter weather causing problems farther North

The "other thousand mile sled dog race" known as The Yukon Quest issued a press release today giving a trail update and possible alternate route for part of the race next month. With three weeks until the start, Quest trail officials have reported that the river is unfrozen near Whitehorse.

This winter has seen unseasonably warm temperatures in most of Alaska - causing problems for many of the sport's big races. The Tustumena 200 has postponed their race to Feb 21 in hopes that the Kenai Peninsula would see freezing temps and snow. So far all the Kenai's seen in a dusting of snow and lots of freezing rain. Trails are non existent at this point with many Peninsula mushers heading north for training when not running along the beaches with their four wheelers as a sled.

The Copper Basin 300 ran without a hitch, and no big changes to the route were reportedly made. The Kusko 300 ran mainly on river ice and asked spectators not to park on the river as they'd done in years past. Again, no problems were had by the teams, and Pete Kaiser brought the win back home to Bethel. The Northern Lights 300 is planning to kick off this weekend - with reports of overflow and open water.

With three weeks till show time the Quest is not making any plans to change course at this time. Stating in their press release: "There are still three weeks until the start of the race, and a lot can change. Trail crews are out on both sides of the border and we will have a more comprehensive trail report available next week." Crews are working on alternate routes should conditions worsen.

There are 26 teams ready and waiting for the race, four of which are champions.



And while I'm on the subject of sled dog races and the Northern Lights 300 - GOOD LUCK JODI BAILEY and Dew Claw Kennel! She's an amazing musher and person. I just love her!

Jodi Bailey at the finish of the 2012 Tustumena 200.