Pedigree Stage Stop Race registration closes with full roster

Registration opened Tuesday for the 2027 Pedigree Stage Stop Race and quickly filled up. The race took to its social media Wednesday saying there were just two slots left. By end of business day Wednesday the race had hit its limit and a waitlist was started.

The Pedigree Stage Stop Race began in 1996 and runs a bit differently than the mid and long distance races fans associate with the sport (thanks mostly to Iditarod and Yukon Quest) but it's its own beast. Run "similiar to how the Tour de France runs" each leg is 30-35 miles long and starts and stops each day in each town the race comes to. Wyoming has some wide open spaces perfect for sled dogs.

Due to weather issues (the race has been too cold a time or two, and they've lacked snow in more recent years) and pandemics, while the race is closing in on 40 years this season, this will be its 32nd running. A remarkable feat for any race as the sport all over North America faces numerous challenges to stay afloat.

The quickness with which the race filled up was not what had fans and mushers alike buzzing with excitment, however. Among the names of very familiar teams was one that surprised many. A name that hadn't been seen on a race roster in years (and last seen at the Pedigree as a competitor in 2008 according to the almighty Google). A name that was known for its status as champion in many races. A name who ran a kennel that won the Pedigree (with the coowner of the kennel) several times.

A name that is Doug Swingley.

Yes, that Doug Swingley.

The four-time Iditarod Champion Doug Swingley.

The musher many called the (or a) dog whisperer Doug Swingley.

The one who got out of dogs almost twenty years ago Doug Swingley.

Yes, THE Doug Swingley.

He will be lucky number seven in the Pedigree line up. Swingley's name on the roster had several mushers commenting. Even Jeff King, a Pedigree Stage Stop Champion himself, said that he might have to come out of retirement to race Doug again. (Can't be this year, the race roster is full!) 

Okay, but he isn't the only one running, there is a full roster of twenty ready to run throughout Wyoming to win top honors (and a nice little $26+K check!). The race listed them in order of sign up.

2027 Stage Stop mushers

Michael Bestgen
Dennis LaBoda
Shannon Adkins
Jason Cote
Nicole Lombardi
Michael Tetzner
Doug Swingley
Liam Conner
Austin Forney
Leonie Tetzner
Bruce Magnusson
JR Anderson
Anny Malo
Sarah Tarlton
Alix Crittenden
Tim Thiessen
Sara Anderson
Stephané Roy
Kourosh Partow
Sean Hildreth

The race starts on January 29 in Jackson, WY for their Ceremonial start before continuing on to Teton County, WY and beyond. 

Do you follow the Stage Stop? Who are you most excited to see? What about that Doug Swingley return? Comment with your thoughts below!

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Mid-Distance sled dog races open for registration

Several mid-distance races opened registration last weekend for their 2021 races. With all of the uncertainty in 2020, fans wondered if races would see a slow start to the season - but the worry was all for naught. Every race has seen a very healthy return of applications, some are even full. Even with the uncertainty of travel, teams from Canada and the Lower-48 plan to come up to Alaska for the racing season. Alaska wasn't the only state to see races come alive for registrations.

The John Beargrease opened registration for it's different classes (with the 120 being full), with many familiar teams returning for another go at the Lower 48's premiere race. The Pedigree Stage-Stop race also opened registration with several familiar names on the roster. 

The Willow 300, which earlier this fall announced they were unsure they would be able to put on a race due to lack of volunteers, filled out within minutes. The race capped its number at 45. Willow 300 is one of the few races that does not do an interval start. Teams line up for a mass start on Willow Lake, though some choose to hold back and give their teams room to run. It makes for an exciting bit of race action for anyone watching.

The Kuskokwim 300 - which starts and ends in the Western-Alaska town of Bethel - also opened registration and is boasting the largest opening day of registration roster to date with many of the sport's top names. With Covid being a very real possibility for concern leading into 2021, Bethel has already been very pro-active in how they plan to make sure this race is safe for everyone. It's still early in the season, but this race is shaping up to be the one to watch. The Kusko always delivers an exciting race. 

Copper Basin 300 opened up registration, with 24 teams signing up on opening day. The CB300 is known as the coldest mid-distance race and offers many challenges for veteran and rookie teams alike. The 2020 race was nearly called off mid race due to cold, with many teams choosing to scratch at the first two checkpoints because of weather reports. This year there's a good balance of veterans and rookies hoping to take on the course.

The Yukon Quest has had to restructure for the 2021 race due to border and financial concerns. With Covid-19 a persistent issue, the race decided it would not be feasible to try to hold the traditional thousand mile race, and the lack of funds made running two 300 mile races difficult. However the Alaska side of the Quest has decided to hold the Yukon Quest 300 and have renamed it the Summit Quest, recognizing that the Alaska 300 trail goes over several of the famous summits of the Quest trail. 20 teams signed up on the first day. Several popular Quest teams are in the mix, including former Champion Hugh Neff. 

New race "Sweeps" also opened up registration this past week and announced two sign ups. First to register is DeeDee Jonrowe who retired from competitive dog mushing several years ago (do mushers ever really retire?) as well as Iditarod Champion Jeff King. Sweeps has a very expensive entry fee of $4000 to help build a giant purse payout. However, this is a steep price and it is unclear if there will be enough teams to make the race viable (the race states it needs 25 teams to sign up and race at minimum). 

Of course, all (except the Beargrease 120 and Willow 300) are still open for registration - as is registration for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Most races will keep registration open through December, the season is shaping up to be an exciting one. 

Which races are you excited to follow? Who are you rooting for? Who are you hoping to see sign up for some races? Comment below!