14 teams have registered to compete in a 50 mile race - let's call it The Spring Challenge - Saturday, April 8. Originally meant to be the 100 Mile Challenge, the event has postponed several times since late February and has now been shortened. It promises to be a beautiful day with some exciting racing on the Kusko!
The race begins with a mass start at 11:00 AM in our usual starting place, near the mouth of the small boat harbor. Teams will follow the K300 trail upriver then continue up the Gweek River to a turnaround before returning to Bethel following the same route. Trail conditions are excellent.
The Spring Challenge is the fifth event of the inaugural Delta Championship Series. Raymond Alexie, of Alexie Racing Kennel, leads the season-long competition as he has won every race he's entered this winter. Full Delta Championship Series standings are available here.
Race Rules:
1. The race will begin with a mass start at 5pm on the Kuskokwim River, near the mouth of the small boat harbor. The K300 truck will mark the start/finish 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 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 $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
