Mushers finish K-300

BIG LAKE -- For the second time this month a Redington has won a local dog mushing distance event.

Ray Redington hit the Call of the Wild Bar at 9:31 Tuesday morning to win the annual Klondike 300.

Earlier this month another Redington, Ryan, won the Knik 200 race.

Ryan also placed second in the Klondike, hitting Big Lake just after noon on Tuesday. Ryan Redington finished seven minutes ahead of third-placed Aaron Burmeister.

Cold weather plagued mushers and race officials throughout the event. Various complications, including temperatures that dipped to -35 degrees prompted race officials to delay the start by a day.

The race got under way last Sunday.

Nine mushers finished the event. Noah Burmeister was the last to finish, hitting the Call of the Wild at 8:12 Tuesday evening.

Five mushers scratched on the trail and nine declined to race after initially signing up.

The Klondike 300 is one of several races used as a qualifier and preliminary race for the Iditarod Sled Dog Race.

The Iditarod is scheduled to start in Wasilla on March 7.