Race to the Sky canceled

LINCOLN - For the second time in its 36-year run, the annual mushing competition, Montana Race to the Sky, has been canceled. Pam Beckstrom, 35 year volunteer, said after much deliberation, the event's board decided on Jan. 10 that the event would be postponed to next year. They made the announcement the next day.

Beckstrom said there were several reasons behind their decision. The biggest one was limited gathering size due to COVID-19. Restrictions prevent the event from not only having spectators, but also allowing mushers to go inside at checkpoints.

Race organizers also felt it was unfair to sponsors because there would be no members of the public there to recognize them. Adapting to COVID-19 restrictions for three different counties created additional complications.

Before canceling, the event was expecting 27 teams to ride the 300 or 100-mile courses from Feb. 12-16. According to Beckstrom, this was the only mushing event yet to be canceled aside from Pedigree Stage Stop Race in Wyoming. She said canceling the race is especially disappointing because the event acts as a qualifier for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska.

The first time the race was canceled was in 2005 when there was not enough snow to run the course. 

While the board was disappointed to have to cancel the event, Beckstrom said they are hoping to make next year's iteration better than ever.

"Next year ... we will have one big blast and make it worthwhile," she said.