ELY – The 2021 WolfTrack Classic slate of racers is full and the race is on.
The racer limit this year was 40 teams, due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic. Early registration for teams that participated last year was open until Oct. 31. Regular registration opened on Nov. 1 and closed the next day due to an overwhelming response.
“We are on for Feb. 21, 2021, and we hope to have the best race ever,” said Ellen Cashman, race director. “We have had a strong early registration period as so many other sled dog race events in the region are already canceled.”
In the ever-changing world of COVID-19, even sled dog racing is required to implement modifications.
“While much of our race takes place across the rolling landscape of the Superior National Forest, we do have to take additional safety precautions and limit interactions for our 2021 race,” Cashman said.
“This year we will be unable to have spectators at our veterinarian checks and at the start-finish line,” she said.  “We are all saddened by this requirement.  We hope our faithful followers will still monitor the race virtually.”
In a normal year, mushers and race supporters come together and enjoy a delicious pasta dinner with all the fixings on the night before the race.
“Unfortunately, this is not a normal year and we are sorry to announce the Musher Dinner is canceled for the 2021 season,” Cashman said. “We hope 2022 will allow us to partner with the VCC Wilderness Club who holds the dinner as a fundraiser. We invite both mushers and race enthusiasts to dine in or carry out from one of our local restaurants.”
The WolfTrack Classic consists of two mid-distance races: a six-dog and eight-dog competition. Races start at 9 a.m. when the first eight-dog race team leaves the Ely softball complex and heads down the trail on its way through 50 miles of the Taconite Trail that winds back to finish in Ely.
The six-dog teams also leave from the Ely start for a 30-mile race and also travel on the Taconite Trail winding around near Purvis Lake and back to Ely. The 40 teams with over 300 dogs go the distance in these two races.
“It’s always an exciting finish as the teams break through the last of the forest tree line and give their last great spurt of energy as they race towards the finish line,” Cashman said.
More information and updates are available at www.wolftrackclassic.com.

Musher lineup for the 2021 WolfTrack Classic:

Eight-Dog Teams
Michael Bestgen, Frank Moe, Ryan Miller, Ashley Thaemert, Robin S. Fisher, John Ward, Dusty Klaven, Janet Bahe, Ero Wallin, Jodi Reineccius, Mary Manning, Jen Freking, Manitou Crossing, Amy Flakne, Adam Treeful, Erin Altemus, Matt Schmidt, Sofia Koepke, Joanna Oberg, Bucky Tippett, Frank Caldwell.
Six-Dog Teams
Taylor DeBoer, Sherri Moe, Nick Turman, Susan Serafini, Linus Meyer, Neal Seeger, Arlene Duff, Scott Edgett, Mark Stillwell, Bob Johnson, Elena Morgan, Clayton Schneider, Andri Duval, Marcia Elynck, Chris Kivi, Darcy Stanley-Nord, Joy Borchardt, Warren Turman, Marina Fuhrman.