CopperDog 150 mushes into Keweenaw March 1, start and finish in Calumet
Golden hour coats Main Street Calumet for the annual race start. (Visit Keweenaw)
CALUMET — For the second year in a row, the CopperDog 150 is scheduled to be the only sled dog race in the Upper Peninsula. Mushers from across North America will make their way to the Keweenaw to compete in either the CopperDog 150-, 80-, 30- or 15-mile stretches. The CopperDog 150 is a welcoming event, and you’ll find a packed street of fans cheering on the dogs for the big race start in Calumet on Friday, March 1 @ 7 p.m. Bundle up and catch this electric event!
WHEN AND WHERE ARE THE RACES?
The 150-, 80-, 30- and 15-mile races are timed as mushing teams push on to predetermined points in the Keweenaw. The team with the fastest overall time in its class is the winner. Each race varies in length, days, route, and size of the dog team.
This year, the big races like the 80 and 150 will finish back in Calumet. Catch the start and finish of the epic dog races right in downtown Calumet or head north to watch more along the trails. CopperDog brings the heat to Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor, making the communities come to life through the weekend. Listen for the sound of the dogs – you’ll know you’re in the right place.
NEW EVENTS FOR THE CROWD
All new this year: a World Wide Weight Pull Organization (W3PO) sanctioned weight pull competition. The CopperPull will display the strength and willpower of the CopperDog. Fido will compete for the crowd in a contest of dog power. The event is made possible by Twin Cities Dog Powered Sports and CD Kennels. Join us on Saturday, March 2, and Sunday, March 3 to witness this first-time event in Calumet at 9 a.m.
If you’re from the ages of 4-8 or 9-12 you can participate in the CopperDash! Held in conjunction with the CopperPull, this non-sanctioned fun event will have dogs race with kids on the sled instead of weights! On Saturday, head to the snow road in Calumet and see the strength and prowess of the dogs. Competitions begin around 9 a.m.
THE MUSHERS: WHO ARE THEY
Attending the race and its festivities is enjoyable but rooting for a team can make it better. Competitors travel internationally to race their dogs. Learning about the teams may help you find one to support. Check out the CopperDog team lists (scroll down) to find yours. You can look by race to see who’s in each.
ATTEND RACE KICK-OFF
All of the action is at the race start in Calumet on Friday, March 1. The historic Main Street packs with pre-race activities like music, food and drinks. While the mushers prepare their sled dog teams, visitors can meet the dogs and wish them good luck with some pets or a head-scratching. Stop in Calumet businesses like Copper World to get CopperDog merch and see what other spots are open to warm up inside along 5th Street. Look for bonfires and music – making for a festive atmosphere.
“My favorite part of the race is working with everyone leading up to our event,” said Doug Harrer, CopperDog 150 Board Chair. “Then race weekend seeing everything that everyone has put into this event come together. Our race stands out because of the commitment, mass volunteers, and awesome mushers that we all consider family!”
Volunteering is one of the best ways to participate and watch the races! You can sign up now to handle dogs, help mushers at crossings and turns, or general set up and tear down.
“I think about having 700 volunteer shifts for the past 15 years,” said Harrer. “That’s 10,500 shifts covered, now let me ask you what our community is like that weekend!”
NOTE: No dogs or pets of any kind are allowed at any race locations, trails or otherwise. Please respect the safety and focus of the sled dogs and avoid any hazardous situations by leaving your dog at home. Keep an eye on small kids – the dog’s excitement to get pet could be overwhelming!
Hang back after the last dog team is on its way for a fireworks show from Agassiz Park – and head north if you’d like to catch your team on the trails. On the first night, a bonfire is lit at the finish in Eagle Harbor for spectators to warm up around, and for mushers to thaw out when they’re finished. The community of Eagle Harbor hosts an annual musher/volunteer potluck to make sure everyone is fueled up and ready for the next day of events.
WHERE AND HOW TO WATCH THE COPPERDOG RACES
You’ll have a great time watching the 150 race start in Calumet at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 1. The next two legs begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, running from Eagle Harbor to Copper Harbor and then Copper Harbor to Calumet. Come to the finish in Calumet and watch the big return to downtown! Stake out along the course for front-row seats to the action all weekend. See the full schedule of races and leg times online.
“We have been told that CopperDog Weekend is many businesses busiest day of the year,” said Harrer. “This is exactly what we want to hear, knowing that this event has that kind of impact is just humbling. We have found from some of our hotels that snowmobilers come up just to see the mushing teams on the trail.”
Traveling up to the race restarts in Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor is a great way to see the craggy shores of the Keweenaw! A great point of interest is the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse. Eat at the Mariner North in Copper Harbor for a hot bite to eat during your day. See the race maps online to pick a spot along the trail to stake out and spectate. There are lots of tasty places to stop to eat/drink along the way too. Dress warm – and wear sunglasses if it’s sunny! Snow glare and windburn can be real issues. Lake Superior makes the Keweenaw windy! Dress prepared for a cold CopperDog.
COPPERDOG MISSION: To develop charitable, educational, and benevolent activities dedicated to the enrichment, development, and vitality of communities, natural resources, and trail systems in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula through world-class events, creating informational and educational opportunities, encouraging national recognition, specifically with respect to advancing national and international sled dog sports including sled dog racing and an understanding of the historic role of sled dogs in a natural environment.
