Kearney Dog Sled Race Routes

Kearney is unique in that races start and finish on Main Street, thereby turning dog sled racing into a spectator sport.  Also, Kearney’s races are noted for being very challenging as well as very scenic.

Most challenging about Kearney’s races are the many hills, both up and down, as other races are often run on golf courses, through open fields or on unused rail beds.

Kearney Dog Sled Race Purse:

  • 8 Dod, 20 Mile - $2,450
  • 6 Dog Sprint Race -  $ 2,250
  • 4 Dog Sprint Race -  $ 1,550
  • Ski-joring Races      -  $ 1,000
  • 2 Dog Sled               -  $750
  • I-Kid-Arod                - Medals

*Click here for a full breakown of our 2024 race purse*

This Years Race Routes are:

Greg Alexanian Memorial 2 Dog Sled Class

The Kearney Sled Dog Race Committee is excited to offer this new sport class. Racers will be able to race 2 dogs on a Race Marshall approved Kick Sled or a Sprint Sled. Racers of novice or experienced levels are all welcome to participate. The race will be incorporated into a smaller loop off of the 4 Dog Sprint class.

Per IFSS rules, anyone running in the Open Pro or RNB Pro race class MUST race with a sprint sled that is equipped with a break, sled bag, drag mat, snow hook, and sled bag. See the IFSS race rules attached on our musher registration page for further information. The Novice class can include smaller kicksleds but they also must be equipped with a brush bow on the front of the sled, a working break, a snow hook, and a sled bag.

4 Dog Sprint & Ski-joring Races

Similar to the start of the 6 Dog Sprint, the 4 Dog Sprint Race and Ski-joring Race also start on our main staging area and will run through the forested area around the Kearney community. There is a loop eliminated from the trail to shorten the mileage to 4.2 miles.

6 Dog Sprint Race

The 6 Dog Sprint Race starts just outside of the Kearney Legion and after turning down Patton Road, mushers will complete an extra loop through downtown Kearney. This section of the trail has typically been where Mushers start finish the race in past courses, so the area may seem familiar to many returning racers. There is no 'loop" as in prior races - the course is continual with no head on passing. The course runs through the forest with many hills, both up and down. This is a very scenic and challenging route, so we ensure there are sufficient volunteers to maintain safety for the mushers and their teams at all crucial junctions (i.e., snowmobile trail or road crossings). (more)

8 Dog Mid-Distance Race

2024 is bringing back the big teams and longer distances in a 20 mile mid-distance style race class. This will take mushers out into the back country of the Town of Kearney through an old railway sled trail and several lakes. Teams will leave the staging area "backwards" from all our other classes as they take off into the woods. They will return to run on our full 6-dog sprint trail before returning to the finish line right where they started.

Please note there are specific Rules and Regulations for this larger class where the KDSR Committee and our Race Marshal list items that are mandatory to include inside of the sled bag. The expectations on mandatory safety equipment are non-negotiable.

I-Kid-Arod

Always fun for those who participate, both for the kids and the mutts.  This fun race always gets great response from the crowd as they cheer on the participants to try their best and cross the finish line. 2024 has a new and improved I-Kid-Arod race track that will loop around the ball diamond next to our start and finish line. It is always a crowd pleaser and a great time for a photo-op!

Kearney Dog Sled Races

8 Main Street East Box 38
Kearney, Ontario P0A 1M0

Latest News

The Battle Against the Weather

February 6, 2024

Hello folks, The dog trails got a trial run this weekend on sleds and skis. A fantastic group of mushers […]