Kearney Dog Sled Races Musher Registration
KEARNEY DOG SLED RACES 2027
Musher registration is entirely online for your convenience (and ours!).
Registration closes for all classes on January 31, 2027 at 8pm SHARP.
ALL racers will receive 1 FREE meal ticket per musher for our Sunday evening awards banquet dinner and closing ceremonies. The banquet is held at the Kearney Community Center, a very short drive from the race site. There is ample parking on site and at surrounding businesses.
There is a small fee for handlers and spectators to join us for dinner - $20 per person.
RACE RULES
Our event is proudly Sponsored by Inukshuk Professional Dog Food
8 Dog Sled (SP8 IFSS Accredited) - $95 Entry Fee
Sponsored by Algonquin West ATV Club!
After many attempts to revive our longer mid-distance class for the 8 dog we have settled on a section of trail approximately 9 miles long. This class will be divided into RNB and Open classes and we are pleased to be able to offer a purse to both divisions. Through an extension of trails through the rugged landscape of Almaguin highlands, the trail will follow the traditional route of the 6 dog class before cutting off into its own section of trails. There will be hills and winding turns to navigate. There will also be a section of head on passing. The trail will test racers and teams training and skills.
6 Dog Sled (SP6 IFSS Accredited) - $85 Entry Fee
Sponsored by Fetterley's Garage/Gas & Convenience!
The 6 Dog Sprint Race is divided into RNB and Open classes. There is an added section off of our 4 mile trail that twists and turns through an area that was formerly our finish line. Mushers who have joined us previous years enjoy that the dreaded "loop" has been eliminated and there is no head on passing. Terrain is complex throughout the course. There are winding turns through trees sections, and open beautiful landscapes to let the dogs open up their speed.
Any Junior musher registrations must be approved in advance by the Race Marshall.
4 Dog Sled (SP4 IFSS Accredited) - $75 Entry Fee
Sponsored by PetValu-Huntsville
The 4 Dog Sprint Race is divided into RNB and Open classes. This race is run through various areas of beauty in the Almaguin Highlands terrain. Mushers will enjoy complex turns through treed and open sections of trail. There are areas to let the dogs fly as the course runs through portions of a golf course.
Any Junior musher registrations must be approved in advance by the Race Marshall.
1 Dog Ski-joring (SW1 and SM1 IFSS Accredited) - $45 Entry Fee
Sponsored by Scarlett Point Resort!
The 1 dog skijoring race is 4 miles of fun following along our 4 dog sled trail. This course does have challenging hills and some narrow sections. Skiers will need to be mindful when skating through treed sections with complex turns.
Any Junior musher registrations must be approved in advance by the Race Marshall.
2 Dog Sled Race - $45 Entry Fee
Sponsored by Rickward's Small Motors and Canoe Algonquin!
NEW IN 2027! This race category has been modified to reflect growing feedback requesting a more competitive course design. We will be start the 2-Dog sled course on the REGULAR starting line rather than the divided start/finish line. This removes head-on passing. Mushers will travel through the wooded section of trails off of Patton Road. Once entering "the pit", the course will cut a straight shot through the middle towards the final loop in the fields. Mushers will then finish the course without any head-on passing. The course will be approximately 2.5 miles. New maps pending.
The race is divided between Open pro, RNB pro, and Sportsman
Drivers racing in Pro classes must utilize a proper racing sled per IFSS SP2 Race Rules. NO Kicksleds. The sled must have a brake, snow hook, drag mat, dog bag, brush bow.
The 2 Dog Sled Sportsman Class requires a racing sled that follows our race safety standards. Kicksleds must be modified appropriately. See our 2 Dog Sled info-graph to understand what equipment is permitted.
2 Dogs are required to race both days. No single dogs.
I-Kid-Arod - $5 Entry Fee
Sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 276!
Always fun for those who participate; both for the kids and the mutts. This fun race always gets great responses from the crowd as they cheer on the participants to try their best and cross the finish line.
The Kiddos will run with their dogs for approximately 100 meters down the race course finish line in a mad dash to be the fastest team. There will be ample support surrounding the course and plenty of opportunities for photo-ops.
I-Kid-Arod kids aged 5-12 years old may enter. Younger participants may be permitted to race with prior approval from the race marshal. All mini-mushers MUST be able to use the break on their own. Sleds must have a working break and a brush bow.
There is NO entry cap for the I-Kid-arod kids!
2-Dog Junior Dog Dash - $25 Entry Fee
NEW IN 2027! After receiving feedback from mushers, we are introducing a Junior 2-Dog class that helps younger mushers build confidence and competency to transition from I-Kid-Arod into the pro divisions. The class is open to Juniors between the ages of 13-18 with parental approval. Mushers aged 12 and under are subject to additional specific approval by our Race Marshal but may be permitted.
Junior Mushers may race either a sled or on skis. This class will run 2.5 miles in what we call "the pit" - the section of our race trails that are open and visible to our volunteers. There are hilled and flat sections to traverse, but racers are almost always in full view of our volunteer team. The course starts at the race finish line and runs backwards for approximately 100 meters until it turns towards the main trails. Mushers will finish in the same location, creating a short distance of head-on passing. This area is barricaded with a berm of snow and burlap fencing.
Race Payout Information
In addition to our monetary purse, we have a free prize draw for mushers and handlers sponsored by M.R. Jutzi Auctions, dozens of prizes and special awards, and a FREE musher's banquet on Sunday night.
| Race Category | Purse Payout |
Entry Fee |
| 8 Dog Sprint Race - Open & RNB | TBD | $95 |
| 6 Dog Sprint Race - Open & RNB | TBD | $85 |
| 4 Dog Sprint Race - Open & RNB | TBD | $75 |
| 2 Dog Sprint Race - Open, RNB, Sportsman | TBD | $45 |
| 2 Dog Juniors Dash - Sled or Ski | TBD | $25 |
| 1 Dog Skijoring | TBD | $45 |
| I-Kid-arod | Medals | $5 |
