Elite Mushers Prepare for Wet K300

With $100,000 in purse money up for grabs, an impressive field of mushers have signed up to run the Kuskokwim 300 (K300) dogsled race. These include last year's winner Mitch Seavey along with his son and Iditarod veteran Dallas Seavey, 8 time K300 winner and 4 time Iditarod winner Jeff King, 4 time Iditarod and 2 time K300 winner Martin Buser, runner-up in last year's Yukon Quest Ken Anderson, seasoned Iditarod racer and local celebrity Dee Dee Jonrowe, and seasoned Iditarod veterans Ed Iten, John Baker, Sebastian Schneulle and Aaron Burmeister. The race begins Friday, January 16.

In the 29 year history of this popular mid-distance race, it has been known for its fast trail and frigid temperatures. That was until last years race where rain and warm temperatures turned the event into a slog, or as Martin Buser’s wife, Kathy Chapoton joked - the Kusko-Swim. With plenty of snow on the ground, warm temperatures and mixed precipitation in the forecast, the teams and support staff are preparing for sloggy conditions again.

With a victory in last years unusual race and a strong kennel preparing to send three teams to the Iditarod, Team Seavey have positioned themselves as strong contenders for the victory. 21 year old Dallas Seavey first ran the Iditarod at 18 years of age, and now that he has finished college has turned his attention to full time mushing. His father Mitch is fresh off a very successful year of racing not only winning the K300, but also pocketing the $100,000 winner-take-all purse in the All-Alaska Sweepstakes. The Seavey kennel has declared their desire to win this race, but we are still unsure whether Mitch or Dallas will have the "A" team of dogs.

Jeff King has won the K300 an amazing 8 times and is sometimes referred to as the King of the Kuskokwim. He had a strong start in last years race, however he did not cope well with the deteriorating conditions at the end of the race finishing 8th. He expects to do much better this year.

Martin Buser is a significant contender year in and year out at the K300 as he likes to measure himself against Jeff in the race. He played second fiddle to his son Rohn in last year's event, however, Rohn won't be participating this year, so expect Martin to push the pace the entire race.

We'll be covering the race with words and pictures, so stay tuned.