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200-mile sled dog race canceled midrace due to avalance risk

| February 4, 2025 11:40 AM

MCCALL —  Despite a rousing start to the 100-mile and 200-mile races yesterday, the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge has canceled the remainder of the event due to severe avalanche danger. Meanwhile, seven 100-mile teams that left the Little Ski Hill checkpoint prior to the races being placed on hold early this morning safely finished at the Wye checkpoint.

Race marshal Mark Cox placed both races on a 12-hour hold at 4:12 a.m. MST this morning after reports of an avalanche and worsening conditions that were not forecast prior to the race starts. At that time three teams vying in the 100-mile were held at Little Ski Hill, and the three 200-mile teams were held at Wye.

Officials originally planned to reevaluate trail conditions and decide if they should proceed following the 12-hour hold, but at 7:25 a.m. MST this morning Idaho Sled Dog Challenge race officials announced it is canceling the race.

"The safety of our mushers and their teams is paramount," race co-founder and trails coordinator Dave Looney said. "The safety margin was not adequate to warrant continuing the race, and that was confirmed when I spoke with the Valley County groomers this morning."

Organizers will announce the results of the 100-mile race later today.

Celebrating its seventh annual run in the Gem State's rugged West Central Mountains, the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge is one of the most grueling mushing competitions on the planet due to its topography. One of only three qualifiers in the lower 48 for the Iditarod, the longest and toughest sled dog race in the world, the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge attracts world-class mushers. Visit idahosleddogchallenge.com for more details.