Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race February 2 & 3, 2019
Join us for an extraordinary wintertime adventure! Pick your favorite sled dog team and cheer them on from start to finish as they race the challenging course of hills and flats, through the forests of the Bayfield Peninsula. Keep warm with coffee and hot chocolate beside the bonfire as you wait for your team to return. It’s an unforgettable experience for young and old, spectator and racer alike. And an absolute must for any winter sports enthusiasts or dog lover!
The 24th Annual Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race will be held on Saturday and Sunday, February 2 and 3, 2019. Races begin at 10am on both days, with half of the total race distance completed each day. There are two main races: an 10-dog, 80-mile race and a 6 dog, 60-mile race. There’s also a 40-mile Sportsmens’ Race, a 6 to 8-mile Family Race and a 6 to 8-mile Youth Race (16 and under). Multiple spectator locations are available with amenities including a warming tent, concessions and fires to keep warm by.
The start/finish line is located 11 miles north of downtown Bayfield at the Echo Valley Gravel Pit on State Highway 13 with the course following The Sand River Trail System of Bayfield County. Programs with a map of the course will be available at the Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau and on the race grounds.
Additional race activities include a “Meet the Mushers” Dinner open to the public at 6pm on Friday, February 1, in the Bayfield Lakeside Pavilion, a “Musher Mixer” at the Bayfield Inn on Saturday, a presentation by Stephen Ballou about collecting meteorites on Antarctica, and the awards ceremony on Sunday afternoon immediately following the races.
Weekend Schedule of Events – all events are open to the public
Friday, February 1
6pm – “Meet the Mushers” Lasagna Dinner at the at the Bayfield Lakeside Pavilion; $12/meal
7pm – Mandatory Mushers Meeting and Roll Call
7:10pm – Last Chance Roll Call
8pm – Vaccination Record Check
Saturday, February 2
10am – Race begins at the Echo Valley Gravel Pit (11 miles north of Bayfield on Highway 13)
3pm – Race ends (approximate time)
5pm – Musher Mixer and Taco Dinner at the Bayfield Inn; $10/meal
7pm – Keynote Stephen Ballou at the Madeline Island Ferry Terminal
Sunday, February 3
10am – Race begins at the Echo Valley Gravel Pit
4pm – Awards presentation at the Bayfield Lakeside Pavilion (approximate time)