NEWS: 2012 Race has been cancelled due to lack of snow
The 2011 race was a great success. Congratulations to Jeff King for his victory. Aliy Zirkle finished in a very close second place and Richie Diehl finished third. Mushers faced a very challenging course which was made even more difficult by a blizzard during the middle of the race. We are very proud of the mushers, especially the fact that 44 of the 46 teams that started the race made it to the finish line. This year was not an easy race. The Sheep Mountain Sportsmanship award went to Martine le Levier and the Eureka Lodge Veterinary Care Award went to Anna Berington. See below for complete FINAL race results. Thanks again to all of our great volunteers and sponsors who really make the event happen. And don't forget to thank the dogs.
2011 Sheep Mountain 150 Champion: Jeff King
For the most current updates and results during and after the race, click HERE. We are also posting updates to our Facebook Event Page
Date: December 15-16, 2012 (2012 Race cancelled)
Start: First musher starts Saturday at noon. Mandatory musher meeting at 10:45 am.
Note: The 2012 race is limited to 60 teams. Entries accepted beginning October 1 (see below). Teams that are signed up will be posted here periodically beginning October 7. If the race is full, please submit your information to be put on a waitlist.
Note: 2012, 2009 and 2007 races were cancelled due to poor snow conditions.
Mushers: The race will be limited to the first 60 mushers officially signed up. 12 dog maximum, 10 dog minimum, no substitutions. Most aspects of the race will follow “Iditarod Rules” (see Race Rules). Race applications will be accepted on or after October 1 via e-mail, fax, or paper mail.
All entries received on or by October 1 will be put into a random drawing on October 2 for the "first draw" start order positions. All entries received on or after October 2 will be entered and receive start positions in the order received. WHAT THIS MEANS: You do not have to send in your entry at 12:01am on Oct 1 - just send it in (fax/e-mail/mail) anytime on October 1 to get into the first draw.
Entry fee is $225 on or before December 1 and $300 after December 1.
Rules, entry forms, and general race information are available at links below:
Race Rules - Printable HTML
Entry Form - Printable HTML
General Race Information - Printable HTML
Purse: (assuming full race field)
1st: $1,750
2nd: $1,250
3rd: $750
4th: $500
5th: $200
Prizes will also be given for veterinary care and sportsmanship.
Route: The race starts and finishes at Sheep Mountain Lodge. There will be three legs of approximately 50 miles with two mandatory layovers of five hours separating them. Both of the five-hour layovers will be at Eureka Lodge. The first and last 50 miles will be the same trail between Sheep Mountain Lodge and Eureka lodge but run in the opposite direction. The middle 50 miles will be a loop that starts and finishes at Eureka.
The anticipated race trail will leave from Sheep Mountain Lodge and run past Gunsight Mountain via the old Glenn Highway and Gunsight saddle trail, turn left on Squaw Creek, right on Caribou Creek, right on Alfred Creek, right on Belanger Pass, and then left across the Start-Up Lakes to Eureka Lodge. After the first Eureka five hour layover the trail will run northeast across Eureka Lake, beside the Glenn Highway, left at the Inner Loop Trail, right on the Old Man Creek Trail, left to the Old Nelchina Town site, right to the Little Nelchina River, right on the John Lake/Lake Louise Trail, right along the Glenn Highway, southwest across Eureka Lake and return to Eureka. The first and last two miles in/out of Eureka will be along the same trail (two-way). After the second mandatory five hour layover the trail will follow the first leg between Sheep Mountain Lodge and Eureka Lodge, but in reverse direction. Changes to any or all of this route are possible due to seasonal trail conditions and dog team safety concerns.
The goal of this race is to provide mushers with a well-marked, safe course for early season distance training and competition. Good sportsmanship and ethical behavior is expected of all participants.
Please note: Parking at Sheep Mountain Lodge is very limited. Please carpool if possible.
Contacts: Race director: Zack Steer.
Telephone: 1-877-645-5121. Fax: (907) 745-5120
Web: www.sheepmountain.com
Email: info@sheepmountain.com
Mail: SML 150, 17701 West Glenn Hwy, Sutton, AK 99674
Eureka Lodge telephone: (907) 822-3808
