1st Place Prize Increase
News Release August 10, 2015
IRON DOG INCREASES FIRST PLACE PRIZE
The Iron Dog Board of Directors has voted to add $15,000 to the first place prize.Anchorage, Alaska (AK). Iron Dog has made significant strides in the last five years both in public recognition and corporate support. Thanks to the ongoing support of our sponsors, committed volunteers and racing community, Iron Dog has the strength and stability to give back to the athletes who compete in this amazing race.“The racers have been very patient with us as we’ve reinvested in new events and promotions over the last few years.” said Kevin Kastner, Iron Dog Executive Director. “Our continued success is dependent on a balanced focus of attention to the pillars of our sponsors, volunteers, racers and communities who make our organization so successful. It was time to give back to the racers and the Board of Directors unanimously agreed that an increase in the cash prize was overdue.”While the final announcement of the entire 2016 purse is yet to be announced, the Iron Dog Board of Directors has approved an increase in the first place cash prize to $65,000.In addition to the cash payouts, Iron Dog typically attracts a great collection of contingency prizes for rookies, veterans and riders of all makes. The final purse and cash payouts are typically revealed in January once the final tally of sponsorships, contingency prizes and budgets have been fully vetted.Marianne Beckham, President, added, “The Board of Directors robustly discusses every change knowing that even small ones affect all racers, sponsors, fans, and stakeholders. Increasing the first place cash prize was an easy decision and enthusiastically supported without exception.”
Again for 2016, the first major prize to be awarded is the “Gold Rush Prize”, a $10,000 cash prize provided by Donlin Gold. The prize will be presented to the fastest Pro Class team to make it to Nome during a halfway ceremony on February 24, 2016 in Nome, AK.Iron Dog 2016 will begin with a series of pre-race events starting on February 18, 2016 with an expo at Cabela’s Anchorage, the return of the Flying Iron Freestyle snowmobile shows, a ceremonial start scheduled for February 20, 2016 in downtown Anchorage and closing out the 10 days of events on February 27, 2016 with the Finish in downtown Fairbanks, Alaska.Visit https://www.irondog.org/event-info for the latest news and schedule of events.
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About Iron Dog, Inc. | 7100 Old Seward Hwy, Ste C, Anchorage, Alaska 99518 USAIron Dog, Inc. is a proud leader in the snowmobile community promoting snowmobile safety and outdoor education through trade shows, seminars and community events. Iron Dog also conducts student exchange programs and has donated $118,000 to Alaska charities since 2011.The Iron Dog race, presented by the Alaska National Guard, is a World Class Snowmobile Event that crosses the State of Alaska each February impacting over twenty-five Alaskan communities. Today’s Iron Dog course is over 2,000 miles, from Anchorage to Nome and finishing in Fairbanks, making it the World’s longest snowmobile race. Participants must traverse areas of Alaska’s most remote and rugged terrain while confronting some of the harshest winter conditions. Survival skills are essential, making it the World’s toughest snowmobile race.Visit www.irondog.org for the latest news and schedule of events. For additional information:Kevin Kastner, Executive Director, Iron Dog, Inc.Tel. 907-563-4414E-mail: kkastner@irondog.org