Pictured is a participant in 2025’s the Hiawatha Heritage Dog Sled Race. (Courtesy photo)
ENGADINE – The Hiawatha Heritage Dog Sled Race returns for a second running on Jan. 31-Feb. 1, this time featuring even more races and more opportunities for fun.
The event put on by the nearly 100-year-old Hiawatha Sportsman’s Club and the non-profit HSC Foundation Inc. is free and open to the public. It also will coincide with the Engadine-based club’s Winter Carnival on Jan. 31.
“After our race in 2025, mushers said they had never had such a wonderful race experience,” said Bruce Fondren, chair of the event and a Hiawatha Club board member. “From the picturesque surroundings to a superbly groomed ‘superhighway’ course with many twists and turns and no roads or railroad tracks to cross, it was both a safe and enjoyable experience. There were cheering fans at multiple sites who encouraged mushers and dogs alike.”
Whereas the 2025 event consisted of two 30-mile mushers’ derbies, one on each day, this year’s Hiawatha Heritage Dog Sled Race will have three distinct races: the HHDSR 80 Professional; the HHDSR 30 Intermediate; and the HHDSR 3 Youth. All races start and finish at the Hiawatha Sportsman’s Club Activities Complex.
• HHDSR 80 Professional will be an 8-dog, 80-mile overnight endurance race run in two segments. Teams will run a 40-mile loop twice for total of 80 miles. The first segment will start at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, and the final segment begins at 7 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 1. Teams will spend the night under the stars at the HSC Activities Complex, and the building will remain open all night as a mushers’ warming center.
• HHDSR 30 Intermediate will be a 6-dog, 30-mile daytime race following last year’s course. It will depart at 9 a.m. Saturday.
• HHDSR 3 is a 3-dog race competing across a 3-mile trail, with the ability to participate even if you show up with only two dogs. The race will start at 1 p.m. Saturday. It’s open to mushers 12 and younger, and a guardian may accompany. This race has no entry fee, to build youth engagement in the sport.
The Hiawatha Sportsman’s Club’s Winter Carnival will take place on Saturday. The carnival features food vendors and a variety of kid and family-friendly activities, including a Chili Cookoff, family dog sled races, an ice fishing derby, sledding, Dash-for-Donuts, and more.
“We’re a community-oriented club with multiple events and programs to engage the local community,” Fondren said. “The races and our Winter Carnival are all family centered activities and free to the public, with all proceeds raised flowing back to the community through our HSC Foundation.”
He added that mushers represented Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Canada, while spectators came from all over the country. Last year’s attendees included people from Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin and beyond. “The 2026 event should be even more challenging and exciting for all, so we look forward to having you join us.”
For additional information, visit https://hiawathaclub.com/Activities/Hiawatha_Heritage_DogSledRace.
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