WARM LAKE, Idaho – The Idaho Sled Dog Challenge’s Warm Lake Stage Race, the only race not forced to cancel this year, is complete, and the results are in.
Clayton Perry of Power, Montana, took home the gold from the 52-mile race with a total time of five hours and 38 seconds, about a 9.93 mile per hour (mph) average.
Craig Anderson from Enterprise, Oregon, placed second with a final time of five hours and 55 seconds, about 9.44 mph average. Trace Drake from San Angelo, Texas, placed third with a running time of six hours and five minutes, about an 8.89 mph average.
This race was the only one organizers weren’t forced to cancel due to lack of snow and poor trail conditions. The sixth annual Idaho Sled Dog Challenge was canceled earlier this week.
“Trail conditions have rapidly deteriorated over the last several days with above-freezing temperatures and rain,” race founder and organizer Jerry Wortley said. “According to weather forecasts, conditions will continue to get worse, making the trails unsafe for the dogs and their mushers.”
Even though the event was canceled, those interested can purchase raffle tickets to be entered in a drawing to win two VIP trips to the 2024 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. This race is held in Alaska, where Anchorage is enjoying record snowfall this winter.
The five-day guided packages are worth $20,000 each. The two winning ticket holders and their choice of one guest each will experience an “adventure of a lifetime” from Feb. 29-March 5.
“Winners will fly out on the Iditarod Trail, visit checkpoints, see the canine athletes in their element, take in Alaska’s beauty and culture, and experience the vast untamed wilderness of the last frontier,” Wortley said.
If you are interested in purchasing raffle tickets, click this link.
The winning tickets will be drawn on Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. MST. All proceeds will benefit the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge. For more information, visit the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge website.
“The Idaho Sled Dog Challenge is looking forward to hosting its 2025 events and that dates will be set in the coming weeks,” Wortley said.
