The rhythmic sound of sled runners traveling at high speeds on packed snow will be heard at the end of this month when the Hiawatha Heritage Dog Sled Race returns to Engadine.
Now in its second year, the Hiawatha Heritage Dog Sled Race is becoming a must-see event on the local winter sports calendar. Hosted by the nearly century-old Hiawatha Sportsman’s Club (HSC), the race blends competitive mushing with community tradition, drawing seasoned mushers and curious spectators alike to the club’s sprawling Activities Complex in the eastern Upper Peninsula.
This year’s race, set for Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, will be bigger than ever.
All three races will start outside the Hiawatha Sportsman’s Club Activities building along Lake Boulevard, roughly 45 miles west of St. Ignace. Organizers have expanded the format this year after limited snow conditions last winter restricted the inaugural event to two 30-mile races, said Tim Makinen, secretary of the HSC Board of Governors and the organization’s communications chair.
The main event for 2026 is the HHDSR 80 Professional, an overnight, eight-dog endurance race covering 80 miles across two 40-mile loops. Teams will depart at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, complete the first leg, and then resume racing at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 1.
“The longer format marks a significant step forward for (our) event,” Makinen said.
Saturday’s schedule also includes the HHDSR 30 Intermediate, a six-dog, 30-mile musher’s derby beginning at 9 a.m., and the HHDSR 3 Youth race, a three-mile event open to mushers age 12 and younger that starts at 1 p.m. The youth race allows teams with as few as two dogs and has no entry fee.
“(This) gives younger participants an accessible introduction to the sport,” Makinen said.
Last year’s event earned high marks from participants for its layout and atmosphere. Race chair Bruce Fondren said mushers were impressed not only by the course, but by the crowd support lining the trail.
“After our race in 2025, mushers said they had never had such a wonderful race experience,” Fondren said.
He credited the carefully groomed course design — which features no road or railroad crossings — along with enthusiastic fans stationed at multiple viewing areas.
Organizers have made improvements to several stretches of the trail this year to create better racing conditions while maintaining safety.
Among the returning competitors are Larry and Joann Fortier of Gaylord, who raced in the inaugural event and will be back on the runners this winter. Race organizers have begun sharing short profiles of participating teams on the race’s Facebook page, offering spectators a closer look at the mushers and their dogs ahead of race weekend. Interest continues to grow, with mushers expected from across the Midwest, Canada and beyond.
The races coincide with the Hiawatha Sportsman’s Club Winter Carnival on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring a chili cook-off, ice fishing derby, sledding, family dog sled races and other kid-friendly activities.
“We’re a community-oriented club,” Fondren said. “These races and the Winter Carnival are free to the public, family-centered and designed to highlight what this area has to offer.”
The Hiawatha Heritage Dog Sled Race is free and open to spectators. Learn more information at hiawathaclub.com or at the Hiawatha Heritage Dog Sled Race Facebook page.
