SEELEY LAKE - Montana’s own Race to the Sky 35th anniversary sled dog race, will be held Feb 7-11. Local mushers include Jessie Royer in the 300-mile, Roy Etnire in the 100-mile and past-resident Cindy Gallae, now from Minnesota, in the 300-mile.
Race to the Sky commemorates the Camp Rimini War Dog Reception and Training Center near Helena, Mont. for its efforts during World War II as a sled dog training facility. An Iditarod qualifier, the 300-mile Race to the Sky begins and finishes near Lincoln, Mont. The 100-mile starts in Lincoln and ends in Seeley Lake.
The race kicks off with a 300-mile vet check on Friday, Feb. 7 at Hi-Country Trading Post in Lincoln from 1-3:30 p.m., followed by a pre-race banquet at the Lincoln Community Hall from 6 - 8 p.m.
Saturday from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. will be the vet check for the 100-mile adult and junior teams followed by the official start of all races at Hi-Country Trading Post at 2 p.m. Races travel through the Whitetail Ranch Check point in Ovando to the Morrell Creek Trailhead for the 100 mile finish. 100-mile racers are expected to finish between 3 a.m. – 12 p.m. Sunday. The 100-mile awards ceremony will be Sunday around 1 p.m. at the Seeley Lake Community Hall.
The 300 Mile racers will come through Seeley Lake Sunday and Monday with a mandatory layover at the Seeley Lake Community Hall. They will run through the Whitetail Checkpoint on their return to Lincoln for the 300-mile finish, estimated to start around 8 p.m. Monday through 2 p.m. Tuesday. The 300 Mile Race awards ceremony is at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Hi-Country Trading Post.
Snow conditions for the race are expected to be excellent. Currently there are 10 mushers signed up for the 300-mile race and nine teams in the 100-mile.
Race to the Sky is part of the Rocky Mountain Triple Crown Awards Program this year. The Eagle Cap Extreme in Washington and the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge in Idaho are the other two races. Top mushers finishing all three races will receive an award.
Race to the Sky would not be possible without the small army of volunteers each year and sponsors of the race. If interested in helping out, there are a variety of opportunities, and there is no special training required.
To volunteer, become a sponsor or for more information email info@racetothesky.org, call 406-881-2909 or visit http://racetothesky.org/ or follow Montana’s Race to the Sky on Facebook for GPS maps and updates. The public is invited to all events.
Reader Comments(0)