Get Ready to RACE! Reminders and Support for Mushers
A convenient summary for the 2026 race season! If you are racing with us, please familiarize yourself with this information to make sure that you have a successful race weekend.
RACE WEEKEND EXPECTATIONS:
Both Saturday and Sunday mushers meetings are MANDATORY.
Accommodations and Amenities
Click here for information on where to stay, where to eat, more to do, and where to shop.
Dog Yard Parking and General Information
- THERE IS NO ON SITE WATER – HAUL YOUR DOG WATER IN TO THE RACE SITE
- Camping is allowed. Understand you will have no access to facilities and basic amenities while the race is not running.
- Your spot on day 1 is your spot on day 2 – NO EXCEPTIONS. This is for health/safety of all dog teams.
- If you choose to “pre-save” a spot on Friday night, be prepared to be asked to move if your spot is infringing on the flow of parking for everyone else.
- All large vehicles with trailers are to park in the LARGE lot beside of the Legion.
- All single vehicles (truck with no trailer, van, car, etc.) Please park at the secondary parking lot next to the baseball diamond. We understand that parking can be hectic at the race.
- We must be kind and mindful of each other. If a race volunteer asks you to move your vehicle to accommodate mushers around you, please follow their directions.
- There is a waste bin inside of the LARGE dog yard for dog excrement, used straw, etc.
- NO dogs inside of the baseball diamond at any time.
Cancelation Policy
In order to receive a full refund, cancellations need to be made on or before January 9, 2026.
If for any reason you need to cancel after January 9, 2026 and the spots are not filled, there will be no
refund available. If the spots are filled by a new entry there will be a 90% refund issued (10%
administration fee).
If the Kearney Dog Sled Race needs to cancel at any time/for any reason we will offer a FULL refund for
entry fees. Should this occur, anyone choosing not to receive a refund and donate their entry to the race
would be issued a tax receipt and a sincere thank you for contributing to the ongoing success of the
event.
Musher Conduct
- If ANY Musher, handler, or spectator attending the race in association with a racer is found to be abusing (verbally, physically, emotionally, etc.) any of our volunteers – including race officials, committee leads, trail help, or individuals acting in any official capacity supporting our event – you will be asked to leave the race. If you are asked to leave, you will not be welcome to register in the event in the future.
- Full participant conduct rules can be found here.
- Town of Kearney Bylaws/ Integrity Commissioner.
- Dog body condition score – Per IFSS regulations and the KDSR race committee; Dogs scored by our on-site veterinarians or Race Marshal scored 3 or lower, or scored of 7 or higher, may not be permitted to run.
Spectators
- KDSR has thousands of families and spectators who visit our event this year. We are a community friendly event with lots of activities, vendors, dog sled rides, food, and drink. All mushers will be given a “stop sign” which is RED or GREEN to place visibly on their dog trucks/vehicles.
- RED = No petting please. GREEN = Petting and interactions allowed with permission.
- There is large signage in the dog yard for spectators explaining the stop sign system so that they are aware of which mushers welcome interaction, and which teams need more privacy.
- If you have any concerns about spectators, protestors, or suspicious activity around your dog truck kindly ask them to move out of your space. For additional support, seek out a race volunteer immediately.
Pet-a-Pup Pitstop
- KDSR hosts Pet-a-Pup Pitstop where we ask mushers to sign up for 30 minute or 1hr intervals to specifically sit with their dogs for kids to pet them! This gives the public opportunity to ask questions in a more relaxed setting. We love to encourage people to learn more about sled dog sports. If you would like to participate, please email us and confirm you are listed in a time slot.
- Anyone participating in Pet-a-Pup receives a FREE lunch ticket on us.
I-Kid-Arod
- Race rules found here.
- All children participating in I-Kid-Arod MUST be able to affectively use the break on their sled. The race marshal will ask all children to demonstrate that they can put their foot down on their break while standing on the sled before their run. If they cannot safely use their break, you may be asked not to participate for safety reasons.
Musher’s Banquet and Awards
- Join us on Saturday Night at the Legion at 5:00pm for a FREE prize draw sponsored by M.R. Jutzi Auctions. All mushers and handlers receive one ticket for the draw. There are dozens of prizes including camping and sledding gear, hunting knives, bikes, chain saws, etc.
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Join us on Sunday beginning at 4:00pm at the Kearney Community Center. The banquet is FREE for mushers! Every entry receives one meal ticket. A nominal fee is charged for extra meals for handlers. Awards are presented after meal service.
- We have several special awards. Mushers may nominate peers. Our veterinarians choose the winner of the Dog Care Excellence award. Special awards are as follows:
- Dog Care Excellence Award
- Sportsmanship Award
- Volunteer Award
- Mentorship Award
- Best Wipe-Out Award
CONTACT
Please review our Frequently Asked Questions page for additional guidance and support.
For any questions or concerns we can be reached at info@kearneydogsledraces.ca