Su Dog 300 announces cancelation

In a quick turn of events the Su Dog went from "it's a go" to "it's a no" Friday as they took to their social media platforms to announce they were cancelling the inagural race. Just last night the race organization was confident they could put on a race with the only caveat being that mushers would get wet. 

Though the response on the original posting of the race would go on inspite of forecasted storms was positive, it seems that the response behind the scenes was not. In comments on Friday's announcements race organizers stressed that this was NOT due to trail conditions and was due to negative messages they recieved from some of the mushers concerned with the race's decision.

"Just to be clear," race organizer Karin Hendrickson commented on the post, "nowhere did we say we that the decision was made due safety concerns. The trails are fine, the creek crossings are solid, and we run dogs all the time in rain."

Many fans and mushers were quick to comment words of encouragement while also sharing their disappointment that it would not happen this year. Organizers further commented, "we fully support mushers being concerned for their dogs! It's the less-than-kind words we've received that hit harder." Many mushers defended the race saying that they appreciated their hard work and dedication to make a race happen in less than ideal conditions.

"We want to support the ENTIRE community," wrote the Su Dog, "not just those that agree with us. We are committed to being a community event, for everyone!"

The race promises to try again next year. This will be the second weekend in Alaska without a premier mid-distance race.

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John Beargrease 40th run canceled due to lack of snow

As the Midwest continues to experience a historically whacky winter of no snow nor freezing temperatures, the mushing community has anxiously watched their season disappear. Most teams were still training teams with ATVs instead of the traditional sleds over the Christmas holiday. Races preparing for late January and Early February starts made statements warning that decisions would be announced after the new year.

Gunflint was first to announce a postponement of their race. With a race date of January 6, they had to announce a change of date as soon as possible. December 23 they announced that they would postpone the race until February 10, saying they took into account dates of other races so as not to take from anyone. Race officials say they need at least two feet of snow and frozen lakes to be able to pull off a race and will be watching weather reports obsessively.

Then today, January 2, the news broke with the release of the statement by the John Beargrease board that there would be no Beargrease in 2024. They could not find a future date that would not interfere with other races and so they've chosen to postpone the 40th running for a year citing the new date as January 26, 2025.

"For Immediate Press Release:

RE: John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon 2024 Race

January 2, 2024

After months of waiting for the weather to cooperate, the Board of Directors for the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon has made the decision to postpone the 40th running to January 26, 2025. This was not an easy decision. But, with concerns over the weather, safety of the dogs, mushers and volunteers it was the only decision that we felt comfortable with.

There have been many discussions about postponing to a later date this winter but the weather is unpredictable. Likewise, in the effort to find a postponement date and in the spirit of sportsmanship, there was not another date that didn’t impede on another established race.

The Beargrease will continue to have several fundraising events so stay tuned to our socials and website for how you can continue to support this amazing race that we all love so much."

Mushers in the region had already made alternate plans seeing the writing on the wall that their winter season was in jeopardy. Ryan Redington and Wade Marrs posted over the weekend that they were on the road with a full dog truck headed for Knik Alaska to run the Knik 200. Redington also announced he was on the roster for the Kusko 300 - replacing Brent Sass who has chosen to focus on training for bigger races this season. Any team from the Midwest facing no snow for the season who plan to run the Iditarod will no doubt have to make similar decisions to head north earlier than originally planned - with no Beargrease to run in January those moves could happen at any time.

With no winter weather in the forecast for the foreseeable future, races are now asking everyone to "think snow!"