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Photo by Les Conrad
Sled dog racing in Ely has a long history dating back over fifty years. Some residents can recall the Ely All-American Sled Dog Race running along Sheridan Street and out into the rolling forests. George Atala, Val & Don Beland, and Doc Lombard were just a few of the well-known mushers competing in the, then largest sled dog race in the lower 48 states.
The Ely All-American Sled Dog Race came to a close in the mid-1990s. It left a void in a community that is a strong supporter of Ely’s rustic northwoods heritage. In 2008, a group of area mushers revived sled dog racing and the WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race began.
Each year the WolfTrack Classic has grown in size and spectator numbers. In 2021, during the height of the pandemic, organizers found a way to still run the race following strict State of Minnesota guidelines. The WolfTrack and John Beargrease were the only two races to run in Minnesota. They were part of a handful of races that ran throughout the Midwest.
The last two years hit businesses hard financially. When organizers realized a premier ($8000) and purse ($5000) sponsor was not an option, they found an alternate way to raise money to support the race. Now, they need your support.
The first part of the fundraiser is an online auction running from January 1 – 12, 2022. Ellen Cashman said, “I am so proud of the support and generosity we have received from our area businesses and artists. We have 28 items on the auction site, plus two ways to support the race through sponsorships.” Interested bidders can access the site at WolfTrackClassic.com. At the top of the home page, select the “Take Me to the Auction” button. Bidders will find Nancy Ensley paintings, a Piragis canoe trip, an Arrowhead Outdoor one-day lake trout trip, and much more.
The second part of the fundraiser is on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at the Grand Ely Lodge. Light appetizers and a cash bar start at 6 p.m. Van and the Free Candies are playing from 7 – 9 p.m. Tickets are $20.00/person. Some of the stars of the WolfTrack Classic will be in attendance too. Our fabulous canine athletes will greet folks as they enter the Gateway entrance. There are opportunities for sponsorships too ranging from paper spectators ($10 each) to Mile Marker sponsorships at $100 per sign. Tickets are limited to 100 and are available at the WolfTrackClassic.com store.
“This year’s race is projected to be one of the largest races in recent history. We anticipate 60 teams running in our February 27 race. We have mushers traveling from as far as Washington state to run this year. The musher’s purse, which is what our fundraisers are supporting, helps to draw mushers and build the race,” said Cashman. “We appreciate everyone’s support to keep a piece of our area’s heritage alive and running.”
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