2022 Iron Dog Pro-Class departs Saturday morning

WASILLA — The 2022 Iron Dog Pro-Class embarks on their arctic adventure through the Alaskan wilderness this Saturday.

Iron Dog competitors will depart from the Menard Sports Center for the first time in the race’s history.

“We’re excited about being at the Menard Center,” Iron Dog Executive Director Bob Menne said.

According to Menne, the 2022 race is different from previous years with a Ceremonial start out of the Menard Center and an official restart out of Big Lake following immediately afterward. He said there will be several vendors and a beer garden on site.

The 2022 Pro-Class course spans over 26,000 miles, venturing all the to Nome and back to Big Lake for the official finish. Racers will ride at a cautious pace to the Menard Center for the ceremonial finish. Menne said they anticipate the winning sled to cross the finish line around noon on Sunday.

Iron Dog officials ran several tech inspections and meet and greet events a the Menard Center in preparation for this year’s race. He said the heavy snowfall came at an opportune time.

“Everything’s good really good so far. We should have a good race,” Menne said.

There are 28 teams in the Pro-Class this year, according to Menne. He said that one team had to back out, but the overall roster was slightly larger than last year.

“There’s a lot of good teams in there,” Menne said. “Those top teams, they’re pushing it right to the limits.”

39 Expedition-Class teams participated in the 2022 Iron Dog. Menne said that’s one of the largest rosters they’ve ever had.

“There’s a lot of interest in the Iron Dog,” Menne said.

Menne said the Expedition-Class is a great way to prepare for the Pro-Class. He said the experience itself is worth the effort.

“Everybody is excited about going across Alaska like that,” Menne said. “It’s very challenging. I tell people that have never done it before, ‘you’re going to be challenged.’ Mostly, you just have to be confident and go. It’s just keeping your head on and keeping a solid pace… Just getting to Nome is very satisfying and that’s only halfway, but you’ve accomplished a lot.”

The Iron Dog is working with several new sponsors this year, including MTA. He said that he plans to keep acquiring new sponsors and increase the race pot over time to grow the race to the “prestige it deserves.” He said they hope to continue starting the race out of the Menard Center in the future.

“It’s a big change getting this all here and having a professional place to have the race out of. Sponsors really like having a facility like this and having real bathrooms inside, not portapotties out in the middle of the lake,” Menne said. “We’re pleased with what’s going on here.”

The first Pro-Class teams will depart from the Menard Center in two-minute intervals starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19.

For more information about the 2022 Iron Dog, visit irondog.org.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com