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STAGE RACING COMES TO ALASKA

June 4, 2007
Editor and/or Contributors

The organizing committee of the INTERIOR ALASKA STAGE RACE is excited to announce the 1st running of this race on February 15, 16, and 17th, 2008. The event is promoting the humane care and racing of sled dogs, and will be partnering with others that share this goal.This year we wish to demonstrate 2 objectives: 1) Mushers do really care about their sled dogs; 2) There is a strong demand for a stage race in Alaska. We are following the concept of keeping it simple initially and ultimately developing a larger 5 – 7 day format in the future. The committee is working towards a projected purse of $5,000 – $10,000 for the first year. The event will be held at the Chena Lakes Recreation Area, North Pole, AK. The race will start and finish on the Recreation Area trail system. Each day it will branch off in a different direction onto the Two Rivers area trails. The routes will take mushers on some of the same trails used by the Yukon Quest. The heats will be approximately 25, 45, and 35 miles on the respective 3 days. The 45 mile heat will include the well known “Jenny M Hill” which should provide an interesting challenge.Teams will be limited to 12 dogs with an interesting twist to the usual “dog pool”. Unlimited substitutions will be allowed on the 2nd and 3rd days. This format will enable each musher to run a full complement of dogs without having to run any dogs that are questionable for that particular heat. We feel that this innovative concept is both dog and musher friendly and may set the tone for future events. To satisfy a growing demand for longer Skijor races, The Interior Alaska Stage Race will also host a Skijor event on day 3. This race will run the same 35 mile trail as the 12 dog teams. Skijoring will be limited to a maximum of 3 dogs.Race rules and entry forms are being developed and a web site is being set up. Further information can be obtained by contacting Art Stoller (Race Manager). He can be reached at (907) 490-9994 or e-mail ajs@alaska.net.