New sled dog race has complete field

It's a new race, but it's already a popular race.

The Sheep Mountain 150 has a full 30-team field for its inaugural sled dog race and according to race director Zack Steer, the field could have been much greater.

"We could have had 50," Steer said. "I wish we could have had more."

Steer said lack of parking limited the number of teams that could participate in the first Sheep Mountain 150. The 30 teams that did earn a spot in the field -- first-come, first-serve basis -- include a host of mushing veterans and a pair of past Iditarod Sled Dog Race champions.

"It's a good mix of mushers," Steer said. "It shows there's a demad for a mid-distance race."

Leading the field are former Iditarod champions Jeff King and Dean Osmar. Iditarod veterans Ellie Claus and Lance Mackey are also in the field.

Steer said most of the more experienced mushers in the class may use this race as an opportunity for a tune-up, rather than looking to blow past everyone toward

the title.

The field is a mix of mushers from Alaska and the Yukon Territory in Canada. Twenty-two Alaska mushers are in the field.

The Sheep Mountain 150 is a 150-mile sled dog race scheduled for Dec. 18-19. The race starts and finishes and finishes at the Sheep Mountain Lodge on the Glenn Highway and has two, five-hour layovers at Eureka Lodge.

Steer said the area should be great area for a sled god race. Since began training his dogs in the Sheep Mountain area five years ago, Steer said he has wanted to bring a race to the area.

"It's a great setting for a dog race -- a classic Alaskan scene," Steer said.

The trail also allows many vantage points for fans. The Eureka Lodge checkpoint is open to the public and fans can see portions of the race from alongside the Glenn Highway.

"Races like the Iditarod are like a cross-country race. You see the start and the finish," Steer said. "Here, you get to see a lot of the race.

For more information about the race see www.sheepmountain.com.