MORNING UPDATE: As racers approach the finish, they keep their eyes on the prize

The top racers should begin arriving in Big Lake between 10 a.m. and noon on Saturday. Parking is not plowed, but spectators are encouraged to cheer on finishers along the trail, in socially distanced bubbles.

(Feb. 19, 10:30 a.m.) – In a year when most competitions have been canceled or turned into virtual events, this year’s Iron Dog racers have been out proving that even a pandemic can’t keep the World’s Longest Toughest Snowmobile Race down. 

 A $90,000 purse and nearly $37,000 in contingency prizes awaits the top teams as they approach the finish line on Saturday.

 “The racers have made it clear, this is not about the money,” said Keith Manternach, Iron Dog’s treasurer. “The racers were very optimistic and they put their money up back in the fall not knowing for sure if the race would even happen. These guys want to compete.”

 Racers are estimated to begin arriving in Big Lake between 10 a.m. and noon on Saturday. Manternach said the purse will be split among the top finishers, but how far down that list of finishers goes depends on how many teams make it across the finish line. As of Friday morning, 14 teams remained on the race trail.

 Manternach said the purse and contingency prizes aren’t as high as in years past, but the Iron Dog organization is still counting this year’s race as a big win. 

 “Everything happened in the last 60 days,” he said. “We didn’t even know for sure we were going to have a race until these last 60 days. I think the donors stepped up in incredible fashion, the racers were all in, and I’ve never seen the board more hands-on-deck. I’ve never been more proud of the organization than I am this year.”

 Putting on this year’s race has also cost more than ever before, Manternach said. Having the start and finish in Big Lake – rather than staging one end of the race in Fairbanks, as has happened in the past – saved some money, but instituting COVID-19 precautions and setting up new checkpoints to keep village communities safe has required additional expenses. 

 “The things we had to do to entertain the people in the villages and communities are expenses we were willing to make,” Manternach said. “As far as the money goes, it was a very expensive race to put on this year, but we think it is well worth it.” 

 To see a list of the contingency prizes that are being rewarded, visit Iron Dog’s Race Guide, at https://www.irondog.org/race/guide.

Media Contact: Mike Vasser, Interim  Executive Director, Iron Dog Inc., (907) 563-4414  •  director@irondog.org