K300 has impressive field

An all-star cast is gearing up to take on the Kuskokwim 300 (K300) dogsled race slated to begin January 15th in Bethel, Alaska. Defending champ Mitch Seavey is back for a return engagement along with his hard charging son Dallas Seavey. 8 time K300 winner Jeff King is returning to restore his name on the leader board. Defending 3 time Iditarod winner Lance Mackey is scheduled to return after a year absence from the race. 4 time iditarod winner and 2 time K300 winner Martin Buser is back for the umpteenth consecutive year. Martin always runs a very competitive K300. Paul Gebhardt returns after a years absence to a race he had a commanding lead of in 2008 before busting his sled. And one of our favorites, Nathan Underwood returns after missing several years. The Aniak native Underwood was convinced to come out of retirement after the Sleetmute Native Association graciously agreed to cover his entry fee. Nathan returned the favor by providing the village with a giant batch of lush. Other Kuksokwim valley racers include Richie Diehl, Mike Williams Jr and Sr, and 22 year old Pete Kaiser who finished 6th in last year's competitive K300.

A change in the course this year put's the length of the race slightly over 300 miles as opposed to recent races where the total was closer to 260. Gone is the Pike Lake out and back loop, and added is the turn around checkpoint at the Native Village of Napaimute. We like this change, but it will force perennial K300 racers like King and Buser to rethink their strategy that has worked well for them with the Pike Lake loop. Look for our prediction of favorites here as the race draws closer, and as usual, we hope to have on-site reporters covering the action.