The Hiawatha Heritage Dog Sled Race returns to the Hiawatha Sportsman’s Club Activities Complex in Engadine for its second year on Saturday, January 31, and Sunday, February 1.
The inaugural race last winter attracted mushers from across the country, prompting organizers to expand the event in 2026. Hosted by the Hiawatha Sportsman’s Club, the race will now feature three competitions: an 80-mile professional race, a 30-mile intermediate race and a three-mile youth race.
Last year’s event consisted of two 30-mile derbies. According to race chair and club board member Bruce Fondren, the goal was to create a marquee attraction to boost the club’s long-running winter carnival, which dates back to 1965 and was briefly suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We were looking for a way to lift the visibility of the carnival and reintroduce it to the community,” Fondren said. “That’s when the idea of a dog sled race came together.”
Club member John Brown, who has managed dog sled teams in multiple Upper Peninsula races, played a key role in organizing the event. Fondren said the club’s extensive trail system and grooming experience made the transition to dog sled racing a natural fit alongside its snowmobile operations.
The event relied on more than 220 community volunteers and local sponsorships, Fondren said, calling it the largest social event the club has hosted. Proceeds were reinvested into the community.
Saturday’s racing begins at 9 a.m. with the 30-mile intermediate race, followed by a three-mile youth race at 1 p.m. The 80-mile professional race begins Saturday evening and concludes Sunday morning.
Spectators may attend all races free of charge and are encouraged to visit the winter carnival Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
