20 teams are signed up to race during the February 50, set to start at 11am tomorrow (2/12) near the small boat harbor in Bethel. With some fresh snow on the ground and a competitive field, it's sure to be a great day of racing on the Kuskokwim!
Racers will be competing for a purse of $20,000 with a prize of $2,700 going to the winner.
The Trail:
The race will begin with a mass start then follow the K300 trail up the Kuskokwim, then the Gweek. Mushers will continue on the Gweek as far as the beginning of the Yukon Trail. Once up the bank they will make an immediate left turn to cut across the tundra to catch "Rocky's Trail" back towards Bethel. North of Bethel, mushers will leave "Rocky's" to make their way back to the river, descending back onto the Kuskokwim near Schwalbe Island, then racing for the finish.
Full vaccination against Covid-19 is required for all mushers, handlers and race personnel.
Race Rules:
1. The race will begin with a mass start at 11am on the Kuskokwim River near the mouth of the small boat harbor in Bethel. The K300 truck will mark the start line and teams may choose whatever starting position they like.
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 a mile 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.
