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Trail and Field Set for the Sheep Mountain 150 Sled Dog Race

December 11, 2011
Editor and/or Contributors

Press ReleaseTrail and field set for Sheep Mountain 150 Sled Dog RaceRace DetailsRace start: Saturday, December 17, 2011 at Sheep Mountain LodgeTime: First team leaves at NoonLayovers: 2 x 5 hour layovers at Eureka Lodge Saturday nightFinish: First team usually finishes around 1pm at Sheep Mountain Lodge on SundayContact: Zack Steer, Race director Tel – (907) 745-5121 email – info@sheepmountain.comRace updates: Posted to http://www.facebook.com/SheepMountain and www.sheepmountain.comMushers List: http://www.sheepmountain.com/documents/2011MusherList.docTrail Map: http://www.sheepmountain.com/images/SML150.jpgThe first race of the 2011 distance mushing season begins this weekend at Sheep Mountain Lodge. 2011 will mark the 6th annual running of the race. 50 teams plan to start the race on Saturday in 2-minute intervals, with the winner taking home part of the $4000 guaranteed purse. The race traverses 150 miles of historic mining and trap line trails located in the Talkeetna Mountain behind Sheep Mountain and Eureka Lodges. Mushers will split the race in to 3 separate, 50-mile runs with 5 hours rest between each run. Mushers will be camped out behind Eureka Lodge on Saturday night. The Sheep Mountain 150 is unique in that there are many locations along the Glenn Highway between milepost 113 and 129 to watch the race action. The public is welcome to watch the start at Sheep Mountain Lodge Saturday morning at noon, and the checkpoint action at Eureka Lodge all Saturday night. The winner is expected back at Sheep Mountain Sunday afternoon.Once again, the Sheep Mountain 150 has attracted an International field of both recreational and highly competitive distance dog mushers. Past Iditarod and Yukon Quest champions participating this year include: Mitch Seavey, Aliy Zirkle, Jeff King, and Dallas Seavey. Recent snowfall and high wind have posed challenges to the trail breaking crews, but they say the trail will be ready come race day.