New start location, bigger purse for 2019 Iron Dog

WILLOW — The 2019 Iron Dog snowmachine race changed start locations this year. Instead of starting at Big Lake, racers will start at Deshka Landing for safety reasons, according to John Woodbury, executive director.

“We always err on the side of caution,” Woodbury said.

The overall integrity of the ice may or may not have the potential to be unsafe so race officials decided to move the race rather than risk it, especially for the spectators according to Woodbury.

“While the racers can handle just about any terrain, it’s very important this year we put fans on terra firma,” Woodbury said.

Woodbury said that the trail conditions look good this year. Racers start at Deshka Landing, then they will be sent down the runway up a big swamp trail finding their way back Steve’s Trail out of Big Lake, a typical Iron Dog track, then onto Skwentna and eventually to Nome and Fairbanks to finish. Instead of finishing in downtown Fairbanks like last year, Woodbury said that racers will be wrap up the race at Pike’s Landing this year, returning to a longtime tradition. He said the people at Pike’s were happy to return.

“Man, they’re rolling out the red carpet,” Woodbury said.

There is also a $100,000 prize purse this year. Woodbury said there will also be $80,000 to $90,000 worth of contingency prizes for other riders. These contingency prizes will be an assortment of awards, from cash and gift cards to special items and packages from the sponsors.

“We had to fight tooth and nail to acquire that much money. Thank goodness for generous and loyal and long-term sponsors. No matter how big or small those sponsors are they all have a part in this payback. We had some financial issues over summer and through hard work of volunteers and the board of directors we were able to turn this ship around,” Woodbury said.

Woodbury said that he’s in his fourth month as the executive director and everything still new to him. He said that he was thankful to be surrounded by staff and volunteers with solid institutional knowledge and he’s backed by the board of directors.

“They’ve given me very specific boundaries but they’ve given me a lot of leash and that’s proven helpful,” Woodbury said.

Woodbury continuously sang the praises of the volunteer crews, crediting them for the countless hours of hard work.

“It’s just amazing how selfless these folks are. We’ve got people hauling fuel from Fairbanks over to Ruby down the Yukon- and they’re doing it on their own dime,” Woodbury said. “These folks are so generous with their time. They truly define Iron Dog.”

Woodbury said that he’s been involved with the Iron Dog pretty much since its inception as a journalist. Now that he’s directly involved with the race and its direction, he said that he’s enjoyed renewing old friendships in the community as he goes through his lists of contacts.

“It’s fun to get some old friends on the phone and laugh about old times. I’m ready to make new memories with those folks and those checkpoints. That’s been a big part,” Woodbury said.

Woodbury said that one of his favorite things about the Iron Dog race is the sense of camaraderie. The Iron Dog is a highly competitive race with arduous challenges to overcome along the 2,031 miles of rugged terrain to the finish line in Fairbanks. A lot can happen out in the elements and each year, Woodbury said that he is amazed by the warm hearts driving in the cold snow, sharing anecdotes of racers helping other racers in need.

“For as chippy, as competitive as these racers are when they’re focused on the course and focused on winning, they take care of each other. If someone gets stuck or hurt on the trail and they know that their comrade needs assistance, they will stop and let the clock run and help that person,” Woodbury said.

Prior to the race, there will be a Trail Class on Feb. 15. Woodbury said that they will still send the class out of Big Lake off south Port Marina. This is recreational, noncompetitive ride done each year.

There are currently 25 teams registered about the 2019 Iron Dog. For more information, see irondog.org.

“All the thanks needs to go out to board, the volunteers and the sponsors. They’re really the reason Iron Dog is happening in 2019,” Woodbury said.

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