Iron Dog snowmobile course expected to change for 2020 race

• News Home
• More from News of the North

Monday, August 5th, 2019 6:11am

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Whatsapp

Photo credit to Irondog.org

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — An Alaska event billed as the world's longest snowmobile race plans to change its course, officials said.

The Iron Dog is expected to begin at Pikes Landing in Fairbanks and finish in Willow next year, The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported.

The 37th running of the race scheduled from Feb. 16 to Feb. 22 will add 375 miles (603 kilometers) to increase the course to 2,409 miles (3,877 kilometers), officials said.

Race registration opened Aug. 1, while in past years the sign-up period began in October.

The race usually begins in south-central Alaska, goes to Nome and finishes in Fairbanks. The course reversal will increase the entertainment for fans and provide a change for competitors, Iron Dog Executive Director John Woodbury said.

"You know it's just like driving a road. If you are only driving one way you really learn the road. But the minute you turn around and drive back the other way it's a new road," Woodbury said.

Organizers hope to keep the event "as fresh as possible," Woodbury said.

In addition to the change in direction, the race will also include an additional loop north of Koyuk toward Kotzebue and then back to Nome.

"In one sense, it levels the playing field as far as veterans and rookies are concerned," Woodbury said.

"The old goats will still have their deep well of experience to draw from, but with the 180-degree difference in the course, some of the up-and-comers really have a chance to cause some upsets this year," he said.

More from News of the North

• Crowded Assembly agenda highlighted by ordinance declaring an economic disaster

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - A resolution declaring the City and Borough of Juneau an economic disaster due to the pandemic and poor salmon returns in the region is before the Assembly during Monday evening's organizational meeting.

• Record number of COVID-19 cases Sunday

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reported 526 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday.

• Seven people missing in Southwest Alaska

  Bethel, Alaska (KINY) - Alaska State Troopers are helping to lead search efforts after a boat went missing near Quinhagak.

• Record low temperatures recorded in Juneau

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Juneau, Eaglecrest and Auke Bay all recorded record low temperatures on Friday night according to the National Weather Service.

• Domestic in Douglas lands man in jail

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - A Juneau man faces three felony charges after a domestic incident reported in the 1600 block of Douglas Highway Friday night.

• Senate aims to put Barrett closer to a final vote on Monday

  WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators are poised to remove a key hurdle to Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation on Sunday.

• Coast Guard saves fishing vessel from sinking

  Valdez, Alaska (KINY) - U.S. Coast Guard Sector Juneau rescued the Elise Marie about 160 nautical miles south of Valdez after the vessel became disabled and started taking on water.

• Alaska State Trooper fishery investigation results in 2 being charged

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - A Juneau couple has been charged with multiple crimes after an investigation by the Alaska State Troopers.

• Sen. Murkowski to support Barrett for Supreme Court

  Washington, DC (AP) - Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced Saturday she will vote to confirm Amy Coney Barrett.

• Sen. Murkowski advances boosting mineral security

  Washington, DC (KINY) - Last week, in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Chairman Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Ranking Member Sen. Joe Manchin, provided keynote remarks at the start of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence’s 2020 Summit.

• CCFR responds to structure fire on Thunder Street

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - On Friday, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Capital City Fire Rescue responded to the 8000 block of Thunder Street for a residential structure fire.

• Sullivan, Gross clash in broadcast Alaska Senate debate

  Anchorage, Alaska (AP) - The major candidates in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race attacked each other’s integrity and clashed on issues of health care and the Supreme Court in a high-profile broadcast debate less than two weeks before the Nov. 3 election.