Mat-Su winter events abound in 2016

WASILLA — With 2015 about to slip into the rear-view mirror, it’s time to peel the wrapping off that new 2016 calendar and get busy marking it up with midwinter outdoor events.

Following is a roundup of a few events from January through March that has something for everyone — both participant and spectator.

Jan. 9 — Big Lake Beaver Run

Those familiar with the mud runs of summer will find themselves right at home with this winter-themed event. According to organizers, participants of all athletic levels are invited. The Beaver Run will feature an open class obstacle course race as well as a longer, competitive 5-kilometer run. According to organizers, both races will go over multiple obstacles “from climb-the-hill-and-slide-down to carrying Christmas trees to summiting the Mountain of…Snow!”

The run starts at 1 p.m. at Little Beaver Camp near Big Lake and features prizes for winners and free hot chili for racers by the fire pit.

Info: https://beaverrunrace.redpodium.com/the-beaver-run

Jan. 9 — Copper Basin 300 Sled Dog Race

The 300-mile race begins and ends in Glennallen, with checkpoints in Red Eagle Lodge, Meiers Lake and the Sourdough and Mendeltna Creek lodges. The race starts at 10 a.m. at the KCAM building in Glennallen. Minimum purse is $15,000.

Info: www.cb300.com

Jan. 30-31, Feb. 5-7 — Willow Winter Carnival

The annual winter festival, held in and around the Willow Community Center, covers two weekends. Highlights include skijoring, dog sledding and cross-country ski races, along with more “Alaskana” competitions such as outhouse races and log sawing. Indoor games, kids activities, a talent (or not) show and live entertainment draw will greet festival-goers indoors.

Info: www.waco-ak.org

Feb. 12-13 — Willow Junior 100 Sled Dog Race

For mushers between the ages of 12 and 17, the two-day race allows teens to test their mushing as well as dog-care skills.

Info: http://willowjr100.weebly.com

Feb. 13-15 — Susitna 100 (9 a.m.) and Little Su 50K (11 a.m.)

One of the premier winter endurance events, both races feature divisions in ski, foot and bike, and take participants over a variety of terrain that ranges from swamps and lakes to rivers and mushing trails. Both races start and finish at Martin Buser’s Happy Trails Kennels at mile 4.5 of West Lakes Blvd. in Big Lake.

Info: www.susitna100.com

Feb. 20 — Iron Dog ceremonial start in Anchorage

Feb. 21 — Race restart in Big Lake

Offseason news for the 2,000-mile “World’s Longest, Toughest Snowmobile Race" from Big Lake to Nome to Fairbanks included more first-place prize money, which will total $65,000 in 2016 — a $15,000 increase. The 2015 Iron Dog — won by the team of Eric Quam and Scott Faeo — featured roughly $255,000 in purse and prize money. Other Iron dog dates of interest include the annual safety expo and tech inspection on Feb. 17, the racer drawing banquet and Iron Dog Hall of Fame induction on Feb. 18 and the Trail Class start on Feb. 19. Top racers — 41 Pro Class teams are registered — are expected to finish in Fairbanks Feb. 27.

Info: www.irondog.org

Feb 27 — Junior Iditarod

Open to mushers from ages 14–17, the race begins at 10 a.m. at Knik Lake. Scholarships will be offered to the top three mushers as well as winners of sportsmanship and humanitarian awards.

Info: http://jriditarod.com

Feb. 28 — Iditarod Trail invitational

Set for 2 p.m. At Knik Lake, the Iditarod Trail Invitational bills itself as the world's longest winter ultra marathon by mountain bike, foot and ski. It follows the Iditarod Trail over the Alaska Range to McGrath and on to Nome.

This year race organizers have added a 130-mile option, which will end at Winterlake Lodge on Finger Lake in the Alaska Range. The 350-mile race finishes in McGrath, while the 1,000-mile race continues to Nome. In 2015, 53 began the race, 50 reached McGrath and six racers continued to Nome, where champions Jay Petervary and Jeff Oatley — Petervary won by half a wheel length — finished in 15 days, 6 hours and 29 minutes.

Info: www.iditarodtrailinvitational.com

March 5-6 — Iditarod Trail Sled Dog race

Eighty-six teams have signed up for the 44th Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, with the ceremonial start set for 10 a.m. March 5 in Anchorage. The Willow restart is 2 p.m. March 6 on Willow Lake. Willow musher Dallas Seavey won the 2015 race in a time of 8 days, 18 hours and 13 minutes.

Info: www.iditarod.com

March 12 — Talkeetna Trio

It’s about bikes and beer at the Mike Sterling Memorial Fat Tire Bike Race in Talkeetna. Race distances include 20, 40 and 60 miles, on a course that features rolling terrain, narrow trails and some river running. Each lap takes riders through downtown Talkeetna. Start and finish will be at Denali Brewing Co., with live music to follow.

Info: www.backcountrybikeandski.com/events/the-trio/

March 12-13 — Trapper Creek Cabin Fever Reliever

Centered around the Trapper Creek Community Center at Mile 115 of the Parks Highway, the family-friendly event features food, games, craft booths and a ski race. Proceeds benefit Trapper Creek community services.

Info: www.trappercreek.org

Contact reporter Steven Merritt at 352-2269 or steven.merritt@frontiersman.com