Anchorage's sprint mushing season that wasn't will finally begin in earnest this weekend when the Alaska Sled Dog and Racing Association stages a series of races Saturday and Sunday at its Tozier Track trails.
Mushers shouldn't expect pristine conditions.
"We've got this skiff of snow we normally have in October," said ASDRA's Janet Clarke, who answered the phone Wednesday at the association's clubhouse.
Junior races will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. On Sunday, the club will stage the Norma Rasmussen Memorial Challenge, with three-, four-, six-, eight and 12-dog class races.
The races are being held in place of the ExxonMobil Open, a two-day race that was canceled due to the trail conditions.
Clarke said mushers who brave the spotty trails for the newly scheduled races will likely be in for a bumpy ride.
"They're gonna have to hold on tight," she said.
The races will be the first this winter in Anchorage, which has experienced a dearth of snowfall. The lack of snow has forced the association to call off every regularly scheduled race so far. Despite the continued poor trail conditions, Clarke said those in the mushing community are raring to get racing.
"We're itching to go," she said.
For more information, visit asdra.org
ASDRA Sled Dog Races
Saturday
Junior Races, 11 a.m.
Sunday
Norma Rasmussen Memorial Challenge, 11 a.m.