The 2024 Kuskokwim 300 is underway and already we have excitement on the trail! Raymond Alexie’s Team has been burning up the trails for the last year. Those Kuskokwim bred dogs like nothing more than to run like the wind! Well it was time for Raymond and his Team to give the K300 a go and wouldn’t you know it but those leaders took off so fast that they left the rest of the Team behind! Next thing you know, they passed Pete and the Team on the way to who knows where, but luckily Team Kaiser’s own Sterling Rearden caught them and waited for Raymond to catch up and get reorganized for his first Kuskokwim 300. He’ll always remember this one!!
As per usual, it was a huge celebration of mushing as the 23 Teams gathered on the river to leave the K300 Starting Line for the 300 miles on the Kuskokwim. This is the 45th run of this historic race and the field is really the best of the best. We’ve got Iditarod Champs Pete Kaiser and Ryan Redington as well as Kusko champs Ramey Smythe, Matt Failor, Richie Diehl, and a whole host of newcomers. It looks to be a real nice run for all of the Teams.
The only weather this year is the temperatures. It is going to be pretty cold especially up near Aniak as temps could reach down in the low 3o’s below zero.
Tonight was expected to be very cold and windy, but though it was cold the wind was not to be found. A full moon rising over the Kuskokwim started the festivities and a real nice fireworks show ended the evening.
Everyone got off without a hitch except for Raymond, who I’m sure will have a great story to tell at the banquet on Monday.
Tonight Teams will make their way up to Kalskag via the Tuluksak checkpoint. It is a long 100 miles, but both Pete and Richie have described the trail as not too bad.
Here are photos of tonight’s festivities– Go Team Kaiser!
