Several mid-distance and junior races have opened registration for their races in the last couple of weeks. The
Kuskokwim 300 capped their roster about ten days after opening. The Knik 200 closed their roster after just 48 hours. Copper Basin 300, John Beargrease, Yukon Quests Canada and Alaska, and the Can-Am have also released updated roster lists.
Instead of trying to keep up, this blog decided to do a run down of all of the initial sign ups here. Let's get to it, shall we?
First up on the run down is the ACE Race. While an "unofficial" race for the season - as in it isn't used as a qualifier for anything other than the qualify that it's the start of the race season - it's one of the most popular races according to mushers and fans alike. It's not one to easily follow as there are no trackers, no checkpoints, and the only updates one can find are the ones on their Facebook page, still, it needs to be included on all mushing fan's radar.
The true kick off of the season will be the Knik 100 which will take place December 16, followed a few weeks later by the Knik 200 on January 6. Both rosters are FULL just 48-72 hours after opening registration and there are wait lists.
Minnesota's
Gunflint Mail Run opened registration on November 1, and
according to their website their roster of 15 teams is already full. They've not updated their website or social media with a current list of teams, however, so keep an eye open! This is another race that begins on January 6 - so just don't plan on doing anything but following multiple trackers and social media pages.
January 13th will host the start of the Copper Basin 300 - the COLDEST 300 miles of sled dog racing. This is another popular race in Alaska, though the race has yet to fill its roster (to be fair it caps at 50 which is the largest of the mid-distance rosters). Still, the roster is already getting fan buzz considering some of the names signed up. We'll let you guess who might have caused that.
Boasted as Oregon's only Iditarod/Quest qualifier, the
Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race also has open registration for its race. The 100 mile race is already full with a waitlist, but it looks like the 200 still has some space (the 200 can be used as a qualifier for the bigger races in Alaska/Canada). You can keep up with the lists by
visiting their website. The races begin on January 18.
The
Pedigree Stage Stop race has opened registration and they put the roster on the main page of their website. Pretty easy to find,
check it out. The first stage begins January 26.
The 40th running of the
John Beargrease Marathon is FULL. You can take a look at the rosters of each of the miled races
on their website! It's quite exciting. The race kicks off on January 28.
The
Femundlopet opened registration this fall as well and it has its rosters for its different miled races
on its website. You'll have to translate it into English, but there's a lot of great info on the race that begins February 7.
The
Klondike Dog Derby, also starting on February 2, has a FULL roster with an overflowing wait list. You can see all the registered names, and those waiting,
on their website. A lot of very recognizable names DIDN'T get their paperwork in in time to have a guaranteed spot!
Yukon Quest Alaska has its
rosters up on their website, you'll appreciate that they include kennel names and links (it's catching on)! The races take off February 3.
Yukon Quest Canada also starts February 3 (so sad when mom and dad can't get along, isn't it? The kids shouldn't have to choose which parent to love more.) They have their
rosters on their website. Neither Quests are full.
And to end this somewhat long blog, we'll feature the Willow JUNIOR race. This is NOT affiliated with the now defunct Willow 300 race, and that's a positive considering junior races are harder and harder to find these days. They took to facebook to share their current roster.
Check back soon for part two of the run down. But, for now, which of these rosters do you find most exciting? Who are you excited to see signed up? Which race is your favorite? Comment your thoughts below.
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