The Iditarod and the Yukon Quest aren’t the only thrilling dog sled races happening in Fairbanks this winter! Don’t miss a chance to watch and cheer for dog teams participating in exciting sprint races at Creamer’s Field during the 79th Open North American Championships (NAC)!
Fairbanks: the Sled Dog Racing Capital of the World
Fairbanks has rightfully earned the title of “sled dog racing capital of the world,” but dog sledding has been a vital means of transportation in the Arctic for generations. For Alaska Native communities, dog sleds were integral to their way of life, serving as a primary mode of transportation across the snowy terrain. Where wheels were not an option for travel during the winter months, the wood or metal sleds had runners that allowed the sled to glide more easily over ice and snow. Pulled by trained dog teams, these sleds offered fast and reliable wintertime transportation.
Dog Sledding in Denali National Park and Preserve
Even today, mushing plays a crucial role in Denali National Park and Preserve, where the use of motorized transport is limited due to the Park’s designated wilderness status. The Denali sled dog kennel helps with many park projects including: assisting with scientific research, transporting building supplies, breaking in winter trails, checking up on historic cabins, and maintaining a ranger presence in the park for Denali’s intrepid winter visitors.
The Sled Dogs of Alaska
Sled dogs are specifically bred and trained for the sport. There are dog kennels and teams all over the state with the modern Alaskan husky being the result of generations of purposeful breeding which can be traced back to the late 1800s. Depending on the job at hand, dogs are selected based on various attributes; dogs used for freight and long-distance should have dense, warm coats to hold heat in, and dogs used for shorter sprints should have short coats that let heat out. Most sled dogs have a double coat, with the outer coat keeping snow away from the body, and a waterproof inner coat for insulation. As dogs are not driven with reins but by spoken commands, the dog who leads the team must understand all that is said to them and guide the others accordingly. An intelligent dog leader is an absolute necessity and truly man’s best friend in the sport.
The History of Modern Dog Sledding
Modern dog sledding gained widespread recognition during the Gold Rush era but became famous during the 1925 diphtheria outbreak in Nome. In a heroic effort to deliver lifesaving serum to the town, a 20-team relay was set up by the villages between Nenana and Nome. These dog teams traveled along the Iditarod trails, nearly 700 miles in just six days! The modern Iditarod race in part commemorates this event and runs from Anchorage to Nome every winter (exceptions include 2003, 2015, 2017, and 2025 when the race start was moved to Fairbanks).
While the Iditarod and Yukon Quest are popular long-distance races, shorter sprint dog sled races are very popular in the Fairbanks area. Sprint races are typically two or three-day events with heats running on successive days with the same dogs over the same course and sprint sled dog teams can average over 20 mph along 20+ miles of trails.
The sport was interrupted in the area from 1942-1945 during World War II. It resumed in 1946 with the first North American Championships (NAC) sled dog derby. This race was originally a four-day event of teams running three-day heats of 18 miles and 20 miles on the last day along the Chena and Tanana Rivers. The NAC racing event was eventually moved to the Creamer’s Field area in 1953 where dog teams ran three-day heats of 20, 20, and 30 miles. The Alaska Dog Mushers Association (ADMA) was founded in 1948, by Mike Agbaba and Jake Butler, to promote dog mushing, dog racing, the humane treatment of dogs, and the NAC races. Since then, the ADMA has sponsored numerous preliminary races and limited class races, in addition to the 70-mile Open NAC. The Jeff Studdert Race Grounds (view map below) are miles of ski and dog mushing trails at Creamer’s Field and surrounding properties that are maintained by ADMA and the Alaska Skijoring and Pulk Association (Creamer’s Field ski trails in the front fields).
2025 Open North American Championships
In 2025, the Open North American Championships will be in its 79th year, making it the longest continuously run sled dog race in the world! The sleds must be driven by 1 person and can have an unlimited number of dogs in their team but must have at least 5 dogs minimum. This year’s Open NAC races will be held on March 14 – 16 at 1:00 pm, starting and finishing at the Musher’s Hall located at 925 Farmer’s Loop Road. The race distances for each heat:
- Day 1: 20.3 miles
- Day 2: 20.3 miles
- Day 3: 27.6 miles
Fans may view the race along the trail on Crossman Road near the Jeff Studdert Race Grounds, at Creamer’s Field, at the Tanana Valley State Fairgrounds, and more. View the map here for the best viewing opportunities.
Dog sled racing is an iconic testament to the enduring spirit of travel here in Alaska. How fortunate we are to be the epicenter of so many exciting events here in Fairbanks this winter!
This post was compiled and edited by Melanie Graeff, Programs and Events Coordinator with the Friends of Creamer’s Field.