2025 Su Dog 300 musher roster and race preview

We have a brand new race in Alaska this year. Filling a spot that is very much needed, another three hundred mile race in the MatSu area. You could even think that this race is filling the gap left open when the Willow 300 imploded two years ago. Many teams missed the Willow, and it made qualifying for the bigger races that much harder. 

The Su Dog is not just filling a need, it's also making strides to be a more inclusive and positive race. The race's goal is to make it fun and more inviting for newer mushers who are just starting in the mid-distance racing scene as well as bringing in veteran teams. The idea is that this will build a community, where mushers can mentor and encourage one another. 

Another really interesting twist is - there is no prize money. There are prize packages - the site lists items like chainsaws, dog food, etc - but the hope is without prize money this will further encourage the teams to be friendly and helpful and "less competitive" minded. It's a similar attitude and vibe as the T-Dog race that had it's first race last season.

Even with the Su Dog originally scheduled to happen the same weekend as the extremely popular Kuskokwim 300 (which was postponed to February 7), the Su Dog's roster filled up almost immediately. With the race being on the road system and taking place in "sled dog central" it is very accessible by smaller kennels or kennel handlers. The trail has had to be rerouted from the original plan due to weather, and the roster has switched quite a bit with lack of training being cited by many of those that dropped out - however their slots were quickly snatched up but other mushers and they still have a waiting list!

With cooler temps showing up the week before the start, all things are now for sure a go.

So let's take a look at who is signed up, as always once the starting order is finalized the list will be edited to include bib numbers and any other roster changes.

Musher Roster

Bib	Musher	Kennel	Link	Link	Link
1	Mike Dolinar	Susitna Sled Dog Adventures	Website	Facebook	Instagram
2	Chloe Beatty	Fourleaf Dog Sledding		Facebook	Instagram
3	Casey Randall	Rock On Racing	Website	Facebook	Instagram
4	Josiah Liebe	Dallas Seavey Racing	Website	Facebook	Instagram
5	Dane Baker	Alaskan Husky Adventures	Website	Facebook	Instagram
6	Matthew Failor	17th Dog/Alaskan Husky Adventures	Website	Facebook	Instagram
7	Mike Parker	Northern Whites Kennel	Website	Facebook	Instagram
8	Travis Vanderhoof	Dream Team Kennels		Facebook	Instagram
9	Rohn Buser	Susitna Sled Dog Adventures	Website	Facebook	Instagram
10	Skylar Whitcomb	Shameless Huskies		Facebook	Instagram
11	Matt Paveglio	Dream Team Kennel/Barking Mad Dog Jockeys	Website	Facebook	Instagram
12	Hunter Keefe	Redington Mush Alaska	Website	Facebook	Instagram
13	Jeremiah Ovard	Snowhook Kennel	Website	Facebook	Instagram
14	Robert Redington	Dogsled AK		Facebook	Instagram
15	Juliah DeLoach	Oil Well Kennel		Facebook
16	Courtney Hagan	Taku Racing Kennel		Facebook	Instagram
17	Sam Brewer	Tailwind Kennel	Website	Facebook	Instagram
18	Mary Boniface	Tailwind Kennel	Website	Facebook	Instagram
19	Adam Lindenmuth	Sojourn Kennels		Facebook	Instagram
20	Kristy Berington	Seeing Double Racing	Website	Facebook	Instagram
21	Sadie Lindquist	Seavey's Ididaride	Website	Facebook	Instagram
22	Jessi Downey	Aimaagvik Kennel		Facebook	Instagram
23	Laura Kelly	Daybreak Kennel		Facebook	Instagram

*Roster as of January 21, 2025 at 9:30pm

In the spirit of the race, we won't be looking at which teams to watch "for the win", because we really should focus on following and cheering on each team as they accomplish the inaugural Su Dog 300 race.

The Su Dog 300 has many of the traditional rules of sled dog races, but they've partnered with Light Up the Lead Dogs to make sure all teams are visible out on the trails. They have several rules about how sleds and dogs will wear reflective tape and lights so as to be seen. The race states that the trails are shared by many snow machines and for the safety of all involved the rules are needed.

Rules:
10. Lighted collars on lead dogs during all twilight and dark hours except within checkpoints.
11. A minimum of 12 inches of reflective tape/material on the back of the musher’s outerwear.
12. A minimum of 12 inches of reflective tape/material on each of the following areas of the sled bag: both sides, front, and back.
13. Properly fitted, non-chafing dog harnesses worn by each dog on the gangline, with a minimum of 3 inches of reflective tape/material on each side of harness.

Light up the Lead Dogs is a program that was created last year after a series of incidents involving sled dog teams and snow machines saw dogs be injured and killed. While those teams did all they could at the time to be seen, it was deemed that more should be done. If the drivers of these incidents were going to say they couldn't see them/weren't responsible, it was time to change things up. Thus LULD was born from one woman's heart to do more. 

To make this possible, Light Up the Lead Dogs has partnered with the Alaska Snowmachine Alliance to fund as many collars as possible to give them out to as many sled dog teams as possible (racing, recreational). It is an important and worthy goal.

So, while those out on the trails will be able to see and hopefully stop and watch the teams - how can those of us who are "armchair mushers" follow the race?

How to Watch

Official Website
The best place to learn about all things SuDog is the official website. It is well produced, with fun colors, and a lot of information. You will find race rules, musher bios, and other wonderful tidbits.

Social Media
The race is quite active on their Facebook page, using the platform to keep fans and mushers alike informed on all the race news leading up to the start. Any changes, or extra info can be found on their page. They also have an Instagram page that should get a little more active once photos of the weekend are posted.

GPS Tracking
The race's website does say that there will be trackers and to check back on race day to follow along. Chances are they are using trackleaders.com and so once that link goes live it will be shared on this post.

Live Feeds

Kale Casey confirmed that he will be at the SuDog to film the start live and follow the race as much as possible. To follow Kale's feeds you'll need to be able to watch via Facebook where he goes live. He also posts videos/replays on his youtube channel, but those can pop up many hours later. It wouldn't be surprising to also see the race go live on their own social media platforms (which are linked above).

Schedule of Events

January 25, 2025
[Vet checks by appointment]
11am - Musher Meeting
[Vet checks by appointment]

2pm - RACE START

January 27, 2025
SOUP DOG CONTEST - click here for info

[Finishes throughout the day]

January 28, 2025
6pm - Closing ceremony/awards dinner

Are you excited for this new race? Thoughts on the Su Dog 300? Share in the comments below!

And, as always, you can Buy me a slice of pizza to help keep the blog up and running. It's always appreciated but never expected.

February 2 is Sled Dog Day

I don't know who made it an official holiday, but today is Sled Dog Day. Figured I would celebrate the day by sharing some of my favorite sled dog shots from the last 18 years. Be warned, this will be a photo heavy post. So without further adieu (as we all know, a photo is worth 1000 words anyway) here they come:

The first sled dog shot I ever shared on my blog. Only fitting it
is the first one I share on this post. This is from the 2006? Iditarod.

To save on bandwidth and space, I'll put the rest under a cut:

Mushing fans come together to help Yukon Dogs

Don't say the Mushing Fandom isn't devoted to their sport. Several weeks ago news broke that due to a record low Chum salmon run, dog teams in the Yukon River villages were looking at a bleak winter. Unlike dogs in other parts of the country or even the state, there isn't a local pet food store these mushers can run to. The dogs of the Yukon feed off of fish and other subsistence foods - just as they always have. Shipping in extra dog food is a financial hardship in a good year, in one where "real food" can't be supplemented into the dogs' diets has many dog owners looking at not so great alternatives. Many dogs are facing being sent outside to other kennels or homes, or possibly even being humanely put down to save them from starvation.

A plea for help went out quickly, started in large part on social media by Steph Quinn-Davidson the Director of the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. Steph's original plea was directed more towards dog food companies seeing if any would be willing to donate some kibble to the doggos in need. Fans quickly helped spread the word and tagged their favorite brands. Only one, Purina, stepped up - donating 35,000 pounds of dog food as well as the shipping costs to get the dry dog food to Fairbanks. And then things were quiet again.

This past week, Steph once again took to social media for help. With the announcement of Purina's sponsorship, now all she needed was to fund the shipping of the relief food to the different villages that were in need. Alaska's News Source gave a signal boost to the plight of the Yukon Sled Dogs running a story on their website and Steph created a GoFundMe fundraiser. Word spread. By Thursday people were posting what they could to the fundraiser and sharing through many platforms. By Friday - the fundraiser had met the original goal and changed their goal to twice the original number. With shipping costs taken care of, all other funding will go to purchase more dog food. More mushers along the river are asking for help, and the cost will no doubt increase.

At present, $22,160 has been raised in just over 24 hours. A huge part of that is due to the UglyDogs (a fan group that supports Blair Braverman and Quince Mountain - dog mushers in Wisconsin who've brought the sport to a whole new generation of fans) who love their spreadsheets and LOVE to help in however way they can. The fans not only boosted the fundraiser, they are actively looking for other dog food companies who would be willing to help offset some of the dog food costs. The UglyDogs have done this before, with their IGiveARod donations over the last two races as they followed their favorite teams along the trail they would donate to different causes in the villages and towns along the race map. 

The donations of food, shipping, etc will greatly help not only the dogs survive - but it also keeps tradition alive. For generations dogs have been a crucial part of life for Alaskans, especially those "off grid" and "off the road system". While the Iditarod was a way to celebrate and keep that tradition alive, the sled dogs of the races look a little different than the dogs used for every day recreation and lifestyle. Dogs that help haul wood, wild game, and other supplies don't need to be fast - but they do need to be strong and hearty - and that requires food. And they'll get it. Thanks in large part to the dedication of fans all over the globe who understand just home important these canines are.

The fundraiser is ongoing for shipping and food costs. You can contact Steph via her twitter account if you would like to help or would like more information. 

What a T200 Checkpoint looks like

Okay, I might as well just post the rest of the photos while I'm on my blog, right? These are just highlights. I took far more photos than I want to post here (because I just don't want to bog down the bandwidth). You can view all of them (and then some) on my galleries page ( click here ).

Freddie's Roadhouse is located in the heart of the Caribou Hills (outside of Ninilchik, Alaska). The hills are where the snowmachine (snowmobile for you outsiders) enthusiasts congregate all winter long. The Roadhouse feeds and houses many of these folks. It's central in the trail systems. This includes the mushing trails, and so it's the first and last checkpoint during the race. Good food, warm hospitality, just a great place to meet up and watch the dogs come in.

Mt Redoubt was huge and very visible from Freddies.

Iliamna was also very visible.

More under the cut!

Lance Mackey to run in Iditarod 2016

Four time Iditarod Champion Lance Mackey made headlines yesterday when he announced on Facebook that he will run Iditarod 2016 if he can come up with the money to do so. Mackey is one of the most recognizable names in Iditarod history, as his story of overcoming adversity to win his 4 consecutive Iditarods resonates with people. Lance is part of a mushing dynasty with his father Dick and brother Rick also having won Iditarod titles - and his father was one of the original Iditarod mushers.

Mackey made headlines in the 2015 race when he had one of his worst races in recent memory, he was suffering from severe frostbite to his fingers and two of his dogs passed away on the trail. Lance gave an interview during the race saying he just couldn't do the race anymore. With the help of his brother, Jason, Lance Mackey and team made it to Nome, but everyone expected him to retire.

And retire he had, or so we all thought.

Mackey has been travelling to different film festivals this year, following along with the documentary about his life and racing entitled "The Great Alone." The film has been wildly accepted and won numerous awards, with Mackey making a quick trip to Hollywood earlier this month. It's no doubt that the story is more than one about a musher and dogs, it speaks to people in all walks of life. It's inspirational.

One has to wonder if it isn't what inspired Mackey to not hang it up just yet.

Where MY personal concern is, is Lance Mackey's health. I am not trying to suggest he is ill, or anything like that. I don't have insider knowledge or sources to suggest he isn't healthy. My concern is based solely on how he fared in the race this past March. Mackey was unable to handle the cold temperatures (a record bitter cold of -40+ in some parts of the trail), losing feeling and movement in his fingers meant he was slower to care for his team. Jason, his brother, scrapped his own race plan to run alongside his brother and help him get to Nome.

Mackey losing two dogs suddenly while running the trail caused concern as well. Necropsy reports could not provide a reason for their deaths. It was just quick onset death. This ruled out Lance's issues on the trail as being a factor in the cause of death. Most dog mushers suggested it could've been a defect in whatever line the litter was from. Speculation is all any one can do, the matter is closed, and Mackey - while devastated at the loss - moved on as best he could.

All of this prompted bloggers, fans, media, and other mushers alike to post their support and hope that Mackey would finish what they all declared his final race. Again - Lance himself also said it was most likely this last time he would run.

But I have to think that the documentary's success has Lance thinking differently. I haven't yet seen it, but it's heralded as being uplifting and inspiring. Fans have reached out to the musher all year hoping that he would run again. Lance looks better than he did all of last year leading up to the 2015 race. Things are looking up. That attitude alone no doubt has bolstered his drive to try again. Maybe this will be his final run, and he just wants to go out his way, or maybe that "I can't do it anymore" interview he gave to Iditarod Insider last year was just a man frustrated with how his race was going and he wanted to quit in the moment.

When Lance runs in March, I wish him the best. Hopefully the weather is kinder, and he can finish the race on his terms. But, I do hope that he takes last year's race into consideration when he assesses not only his team of 16 dogs... but of himself.

Roster of 18 to run the Yukon Quest

The Yukon Quest, a thousand mile sled dog race that starts in Alaska and crosses into Canada, begins tomorrow morning at 11am. The roster includes 13 veterans and 5 rookies. Several of the veterans are known by even the most casual fans. Reigning champion Allen Moore is back to try to win another championship. Hugh Neff is back in the race, as well, with his laughing eyes team. Two time winner, John Schandelmeier is also back in the race trying for another title. John's taken a backseat - at least in the limelight - to his partner Zoya Denure who was considered an up and coming women's musher a few years ago. Denure is at home with their two daughters, so John is taking the helm for this race.

With the weather being unseasonably warm the last few weeks in Alaska, small changes have been made to this year's race. Instead of starting on the Chena River where they traditionally start, they will be running through the streets of Fairbanks before meeting up with the river later on down the trail. River conditions were cited as the reason behind the change.

The concern of trail conditions and heat will no doubt be the talk of early race discussion. Though most of South Central Alaska is mainly ice (if that) the Interior and Yukon areas have had a little better luck in keeping some snow on the trails. The weather forecast is also looking more favorably on the race as temperatures are dropping to closer to normal temperatures. But, it's anyone's guess how the race will play out weatherwise.

With the weather being so weird for this time of year, many of the races that one would use to gauge who the front runners are were cancelled. This leaves room for a lot of guess work and discussion as to who to choose for any sort of bets or predictions.

But here's my limited knowledge top three:

1. Allen Moore - not only is he the reigning champion, he and wife Aliy Zirkle have one of the best kennels in the 1000 mile race business right now. He won the Quest with his team, and she turned right around and came in second in the Iditarod (second time in as many years). This year Allen won the Copper Basin 300, which was one of two races that went on this season. It was a good bit of racing, and in the end he came out on top. No doubt his team will bring their A game once again.

2. Brent Sass - some may know him for his work on the first season of Ultimate Survival Alaska (it's a good show, by the way), but most who follow the sport know this up and comer is done waiting his turn. He's had top three finishes. I haven't paid much attention to his team this year so far, but something in my gut tells me he'll be one to watch for the Quest.

3. Hugh Neff - who doesn't love the Cat in the Hat? Neff breathes the Quest. He's won it before, and he's always in the mix. There's no indication that he can't win another one. It will come down to who wants it, not just musher - but team. No one seems more in tune with their dogs than Hugh.