The Su Dog 300 Sled Dog Race is proud to announce the Start Line Party for the inaugural race on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Twenty dog teams will start at 2 p.m. at the Willow Community Center and travel 300 miles across the Susitna Valley. All are welcome to join organizers at the starting line to see the excitement in-person. The Willow Community Center kitchen will be open selling concessions.

The Su Dog 300 is an Iditarod qualifying race with an emphasis on community, mentorship, and FUN. In lieu of a large cash prize for top placing teams, the Su Dog crew has amassed a number of amazing prizes for every finisher. This change in traditional race payouts is an attempt to create a less intense environment that will encourage camaraderie and mentorship between mushers, as well as encourage everyone to simply enjoy time with their dogs on the trail. As mushers traverse the course, fans can follow along 24/7 via live sled tracking devices at the event's website, sudog300.org.

The champion of the race is expected to cross the finish line at the Willow Community Center Monday afternoon (February 23) and mushers will continue to finish through the night and into early Tuesday morning. In celebration of the community and the first Su Dog Champion, organizers are hosting a soup contest (aptly named the Soup Dog) the afternoon of Monday, February 23.

For more information on the race, mushers and how to volunteer, interested people can visit sudog300.org.