The last race of the Rocky Mountain Triple Crown, the Race to the Sky is one of those races you hear often listed under accomplishments of lower 48 mushers coming to race the Iditarod. Montana, of course, has similar trail and weather to that of Alaska and it's just an overall really well run organization.
This year the 300 has a very small roster of just four mushers. The 100 boasts far more entries but still seems rather small. It's that point of the year where some are heading to Alaska and Canada to run the other big races, plus new short distance races were added this year that are hitting around the same time. Busy year for mushers and trying to figure out just where they want to race.
Race to the Sky has produced names like Doug Swingley, Brent Bruggemann, and of course Jessie Royer (produced probably isn't the best choice of words... boasted?) over the years. Only Jessie remains active in the sport (Swingley got out of dogs many years ago, Brent was forced to just two years ago due to a heart condition). Speaking of Jessie she has FOUR TEAMS between the two classes of race this year. Today I learned she has a large group of race ready dogs.
How to watch
The Race to the Sky has a fairly decent online presence. You will for sure want to checkout their website that has mini musher bios, the schedule of events, etc. Their Facebook page will also have race communication posted. And they will most likely have a trackleaders link up and running tomorrow. To follow the trackers, trackleaders.com once again has us covered.
So you've got the basics on how to follow along, let's make sure you know who's running. Bib draw should be today but honestly I'm not sure I'll make it back to edit this any time soon. Y'all I'm running on empty! Anyway, the rosters:
300 Roster
Charmayne Morrison (Morrison Racing Kennel) - Facebook / Instagram
Clayton Perry (TSA Kennel) - Facebook
Erik Oline (The J Team) - Website / Facebook / Instagram
Jessie Royer (The J Team) - Website / Facebook / Instagram
100 Roster
Adrian Lopez (The J Team) - Website
Aidan Torres (Whiteout Racing) - Website / Facebook / Instagram
Bucky Hasty (Morrison Racing Kennel) - Facebook / Instagram
Chris Adkins (Mo Betta Sled Dog Racing) - Facebook
Christina Gibson (Whiteout Racing) - Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter
Hunter Hale (The J Team) - Website
Jesika Reimer (Reimer Pack) - Website / Facebook / Instagram
Kevin Daugherty (??) - Facebook / Instagram
Maddie Longpre-Harrer (TSA Kennel) - Facebook / Instagram
Nicole Lombardi (??) - Cannot find her online
Shane Pearson (??) - Facebook
Thomas Blackham (??) - Facebook
Wade Donaldson (??) - Facebook
Schedule of events
Friday, February 10
1pm-3pm Vet Check
6pm Musher Dinner
Saturday, February 11
2pm START (300 first, followed by 100)
Sunday, February 12
Finishes for 100 throughout the morning
Tuesday, February 14
1pm Award Ceremony
