After a couple of weeks off the K300 Race Committee season resumes tomorrow with a new event; the February 50 Doubles Race! For this race every team must have two mushers. They may choose to pull a second sled or have both riders on one sled. As of this writing we have 13 teams registered.
The race begins with a mass start at 11:00 AM on the Kuskokwim River in front of Bethel. The start line is located a little further downriver than usual, opposite The Lion's Club building near the far bank of the river.
This event is part of the Delta Championship Series. Check out the current standings here!
The Trail:
From the start line teams will head downriver towards Oscarville then cross the river to Napaskiak. They'll travel upstream on Napasiak Slough until turning off onto the overland trail towards Kwethluk. Racers will make a turnaround near the Kwethluk airport then head back to Bethel following the same route. In total the trail is about 47.5 miles and trailmarkers report very good conditions throughout. Mushers note, the only observed hazards are a couple of cracks on Napaskiak Slough which have been well marked.
The Mushers:
Race Rules:
1. The race will begin with a mass start at 11:00 AM on the Kuskokwim River, roughly near the Lion's Club near the bank of the island across from town. The K300 truck will mark the start/finish line and teams may choose whatever starting position they like.
2. Ten 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.
8. Teams may choose to pull a second sled or have both racers ride on one sled. Both mushers must ride on a sled for the duration of the event.
9. The race purse is $20,000 distributed as follows:
1……………………………....$2,700
2…………………………..…..$2,450
3………………………………$2,250
4………………………………$2,050
5……………………………....$1,850
6………………………….…..$1,700
7……………………………...$1,450
8…………………………..…$1,250
9…………………………..…$1,050
10…………………………...$900
11…………………………...$750
12…………………………...$600
13…………………………...$450
14………………………..….$300
15…………………………...$250