ELY — The dogs are ready, the trails are set, and organizers say this year’s WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race is shaping up to be one of the best in recent memory.
The annual race kicks off Sunday, Feb. 22, with the first 8-dog team leaving the starting line at 9 a.m. Spectators are welcome to watch the teams from 8 to 8:45 a.m. before the race begins.
Forty-nine teams are registered to compete this year, the largest active field the race has seen in several years, according to Ely Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Eva Sebesta. Initial registrations numbered 53, but a few mushers have had to withdraw ahead of race weekend.
The race features two mid-distance competitions. The 8-dog teams will cover 48 miles through boreal forest along the Taconite Trail before looping back to finish in Ely. The 6-dog teams will run a 28-mile course that winds near Purvis Lake and back to town.
One notable change this year is that the new Trailhead Building serves as the race’s launch point, giving spectators a fresh venue to take in the start and finish of the event.
The Chamber is also planning giveaways during the race start, and they will be serving free coffee, hot cocoa, and snacks beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the starting line.
For those who want to watch the 8-dog race in action along the course, Bearhead State Park offers a prime viewing opportunity at the Bear Head Trail Center, where complimentary hot beverages will also be available. A Minnesota State Park vehicle permit is required for entry.
About 75 to 80 volunteers will be spread along the course, handling dog teams and staffing road crossings throughout the day, Sebesta said.
The weekend’s activities kick off Friday evening with a beer tasting at Mike’s Liquor featuring Earth Rider Brewing. On Saturday, mushers and spectators were invited to meet the teams from 3-5 p.m. at Minnesota North College’s Vermilion Campus, followed by a spaghetti dinner fundraiser hosted by the campus Wilderness Club. The third annual WolfTrack Prance — a social event for mushers, volunteers, and race fans — will also be held Friday evening at the Grand Ely Lodge.
Sebesta said the forecast is adding to the excitement heading into race day.
“It looks like it’s going to be beautiful weather, so we’re just excited to have it happening,” she said.
Ely has a long history with sled dog racing dating back to January 1970. The WolfTrack Classic continues that tradition each February, drawing competitors and spectators to the city.