News release, 1 December 2003
For more information, contact the Alaska Dog Mushers Association, (907) 457-6874.

ADMA to hold first Challenge Series race December 7, 2003

sponsored by Champaine Race Diets and Howling Dog Mushing Supplies

Fairbanks, Alaska—The Annamaet Petfoods Sled Dog Challenge Series gets under way with the first race, sponsored by Champaine Race Diets and Howling Dog Mushing Supplies, on Sunday, December 7th, at the Jeff Studdert race grounds on Farmers Loop Road in Fairbanks. Classes will include 1-dog, 2-dog, and 3-dog skijoring; and 4-dog, 6-dog, 8-dog, and Open (unlimited) sled classes. A 19-mile mid-distance class is also run at the first two Challenge Series races. The race gets underway with skijoring at 10:30 a.m.

Sign up for the race will be held at the Mushers Hall on Farmers Loop on Wednesday, December 3, from 6:45-7:30 p.m., followed by the draw. Pizza and drinks will be provided.

Competitors will by vying for prizes donated by Champaine Race Diets and Howling Dog Mushing Supplies.

The distances for each class are:

Skijoring (1, 2, 3-dog): 4.5 miles
4-dog: 4.5 miles
6-dog: 5.9 miles
8-dog: 9.3 miles
Open: 10.6 miles
Mid-distance: 19 miles

The AARP-sponsored division for older 4-dog teams will again be run in conjunction with the 4-dog class. You can designate your 4-dog team as an AARP team at the draw or the day of the race.
If you can't make the Wednesday meeting, you can have someone sign you up and pay your entry fee. You must buy or renew your membership to race, and no entries will be accepted without an entry fee. Late entries will be accepted the day of the race, for an additional $5 fee.

The temperature cutoff for the race will be –25 F or below, determined at 9 a.m. Sunday by calling the weather line at 452-3553.

For those training on the ADMA trails or wanting to support our trail grooming efforts, annual trail passes are available for sale for $50 at the draw or the race. If you purchase a trail pass on or before December 3rd, you will be automatically entered in a drawing for a limited-edition ADMA G-shock watch.

Competitors in the Annamaet Challenge Series will be vying for the 2004 Points Champion awards. Points in each race are awarded as follows: 1st place - 5 points; 2nd place - 4 points; 3rd place - 3 points; 4th place - 2 points; 5th place and all finishers - 1 point. For each class, the dog driver with the most cumulative points from all the Challenge Series races this season is awarded the Points Champion trophy. Competitors aren't required to race in every Challenge Series race to qualify for Points Champion.

For more information, including race rules and procedures, and a complete schedule of events, visit our website at www.sleddog.org, or call 457-MUSH.

Related websites

ADMA race rules and procedures
2003–2004 ADMA race schedule
Information on race entry by phone