2026 Season Opener Preview

It's time to kick off the 2025-26 mushing season on the Kuskokwim! At NOON on Saturday, December 13th, 15 teams will take off on a 32 mile journey across the tundra from Bethel to Atmautluak and back as they compete for a purse of $25,000.

This also marks the beginning of the K300 Race Committee's 4th Annual Delta Championship Series. The top ten finishers will receive points according to their place which will be tallied with the results of a total of 5 races over the course of the season. Learn more about The Delta Championship Series and review the rules here.

For those who can't be there in person we'll be live-streaming the start and as much of the finish as we can at www.facebook.com/kuskokwim300.

The Trail:

Racers will start on Charles Family Lake (across the street from H-Marker Lake) and head out on the Atmautluak Trail. The route is very well marked with a combination of K300 markers, tripods and assorted other markers. Mushers will race about 16 miles to a turnaround at the village of Atmautluak then back to Charles Family Lake.

Race Rules:

1. The race will begin with a mass start at NOON on Charles Family Lake (across the street from H-marker Lake).

2. Eight dog limit.

3. No dropped dogs.

4. General passing rules apply. When any team approaches to within 50 feet of another team, the team behind has the immediate right of way upon demand. The racer ahead must stop their dogs and hold them to the best of their ability for a maximum of one minute or until the other team has passed, whichever occurs first. The passed team must remain behind at least 15 minutes before demanding the trail. The race officials may penalize a team if this rule is violated. “No Man’s Land” will be marked by two K300 stakes about 2 miles from the finish.

5. No pacing by snow machine. There may be an official snow machine pacing the field in the early part of the trail to show all teams the proper trail, and also perhaps at other points on the trail as needed.

6. Mushers must be a current member of the K300 to participate in this race. Membership may be purchased for $100.

7. Every sled must be equipped with a sled bag that can adequately and safely contain any dog who needs to be carried during the race. Anyone who races without a sled bag will receive an automatic penalty of $200.

8. The race purse is $25,000 paid to the top 15 finishers.

The Mushers: