The 2024
Wilderness Sled Dog Race
On February 10, 2024 the Wilderness Sled Dog Racing Association, a 501c3 non-profit organization will hold their annual sled dog races. Drawing mushers, canine athletes and spectators to the snow-covered trails of the Moosehead Lake region of Maine.
The 60-mile race and the 35-mile race will have two purses to be divided among the finishers, the 60-mile race winner will also receive a beautiful knife made and donated by Bryan Courtois of Castle Knives. Mushers will go out in the order that they signed up in 3-minute intervals starting at 9:00 a.m. Spectators should plan on getting to Leisure Life Resort by 8:30 a.m. to see the excited teams preparing for the start!
In addition to the races there will be a silent auction and merchandise for sale all day inside Trail Side Restaurant at Leisure Life Resort. The restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner where spectators can enjoy great food in a warm friendly atmosphere with a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains. The Wilderness Sled Dog Racing Association also utilizes
some of the space inside as their race headquarters giving anyone interested an opportunity to get updates on the racers progress throughout the day.
Start time for the 60-mile race is 9:00 a.m., the 35-mile begins at 10:00 and the 4-mile 4 dog/skijor races go out at 11:00 a.m. The 4-dog race goes first and then the 2-dog skijor followed by the 1-dog skijor. Spectators line the starting chute to witness the intense excitement of the dog teams eager to run and to cheer each team on their way! The long race trail heads north into the mountainous 100-Mile Wilderness region on Appalachian Mountain Club property and passes near several of their remote sporting camps, providing vantage points for those who want to watch the race’s progress.
The Wilderness Sled Dog Race is known for its remote terrain, beautiful scenery and enthusiastic community support. Focus is placed on the health and well-being of the canine athletes who, with their human partners of course, travel throughout the northeast and Canada to compete in this highly popular event. Race Veterinarian, Dr Rick DuBois, DVM of Greenville Veterinary Clinic, ensures that each four-legged athlete is up to the task of traversing the race trail. He is there for every team that starts and finishes their race. The Wilderness Race has a perfect record when it comes to the health and well-being of every dog who has ever participated!
Spectator Viewing
In addition to the race start and finish lines in Greenville, the Wilderness Race is unique in that it offers fans the opportunity to view the race teams out on the trail as they head north. Teams can be seen as they cross Drew Rd, going through the airport and crossing East Rd in Greenville, then crossing the KI Rd and further up on the KI Rd not far from the AMC parking area as they head towards Hedgehog gate house. For those staying at AMC’s Little Lyford Lodge ski out to the race trail to view teams passing by. Spectators can also drive north on the Lily Bay Rd (towards Kokadjo) turning off on the Frenchtown Rd, take this for 12 miles to the 60-mile halfway point, West Branch Pond Camps one of Maine’s oldest sporting camps est. in 1881. Eric Stirling and his crew will be catering to spectators as the race teams travel through these remote camps. The teams travel back on the same course and so the viewing spots would be the same.