Great conditions expected for Klondike 300

WASILLA — Snow won’t be a problem when the Klondike 300 sled dog race gets under way Saturday from the Tug Bar at the end of Knik-Goose Bay Road.

“We have some good snow conditions finally thanks to the big dump,” race organizer Bert Kleinenberg said Thursday.

A big snowfall in the northern Valley has made the trail — which starts and finishes at the bar and includes checkpoints at the Deshka River, Yentna Station and the Forks Roadhouse — more than race-ready. In fact, Kleinenberg said snowmachines will be busy packing the course down between now and the 1 p.m. race start.

“One of the guys told me if you get off the trail you’re up to your waist in snow,” he said.

As of Thursday afternoon, 12 mushers had signed up for the race, though Kleinenberg said he expects that number to swell to 20 or more by the time the race rolls around. Mushers had until 7 p.m. Thursday to enter the race, which has a $20,000 purse.

While it’s unknown just who will show up, at least one big name has already thrown his hat into the ring. Big Lake’s Cim Smyth, who won the race in 2006 and 2007, will be back this year for a shot at a third consecutive crown.

Other mushers to sign up early include Willow residents Joe Gans and Matt Hayashida, Chugiak’s Karin Hendrickson, Kasilof’s Jason Mackey, Oregon’s Liz Parrish, Montana’s Robert Loveman and Whitehorse, Yukon Territory musher Gerry Willomitzer.

Kleinenberg said that list is likely to grow significantly by race time.

“We still have them signing up,” he said.

The annual race is put on by the Big Lake Aurora Lions Club and is sponsored by MTA, SBS, NAPA, Jolt Construction and Traffic Maintenance, the Tug Bar, Forks Roadhouse and Yentna Station.

Spectators are welcome to watch the race start at the Tug Bar, which is located at the very end of Knik-Goose Bay Road. The first musher will hit the trail at 1 p.m.

“Things are ready to go,” Kleinenberg said.

Sprint races set

for Big Lake

BIG LAKE — The Aurora Dog Mushers Club 50/50 races will be held Saturday and Sunday on the club’s trails south of Big Lake. This year’s race includes a $1,000 purse for first place.

The two-day race begins at 2 p.m. Saturday, with Sunday’s second day set to begin at 10 a.m.

A junior race will also be held Saturday at 9:30 a.m., with races in classes ranging from one- to seven-dog teams.

To reach the track, take Big Lake Road west off the Parks Highway for 5.7 miles to Echo Lake Drive, then turn left. After going one mile on Echo Lake Road, take a right onto Gonder Way and go a half-mile and take a left at the Aurora Dog Mushers sign.

Contact Matt Tunseth at 352-2265 or matt.tunseth@frontiersman.com