CALUMET, Mich. (WZMQ) – The third, and final, U.P. sled dog race of the winter season is called off due to poor weather.
The CopperDog 150, CopperDog 80, CopperDog 30, and CopperDog 15 races are canceled. They were set to take off from downtown Calumet the weekend of March 1-3.
The race organizers posted to Facebook Monday evening that the forecast and trail conditions are not favorable, and that safety for the dogs was the organization’s top priority.
The CopperPull and CopperDash, two new short races to the CD150 weekend lineup, will still go on as scheduled. There are also plans in the works for a street party with music, food, fireworks, and kids’ sled dog rides.
You can read the full Facebook post below:
Because of how this Winter has played out, and because of current (and forecasted) trail conditions, and because ‘healthy happy dogs’ runs through our blood, the 2024 CopperDog will have some major modifications to the weekend of March 1st, 2nd, & 3rd.
While the CopperPull and CopperDash are still a go, the CopperDog 150, CopperDog 80, CopperDog 30, and CopperDog 15 have been cancelled.
It is not the kind of news we wanted to share but right decisions in regard to safety will always be our number one priority. And of all the factors there were in the balance, the dogs were what made us make this decision at this time. In the simplest of words; we will not ever put any of these super athletes in a position where there is great chance of injury. No ifs, ends, or buts.
But fear not, the weekend will still have lots going on!
We are still having a street party with music, food, and fireworks. We are having kids’ sled dog rides. We are having a mushing-related movie at the Calumet Theatre. We are having the Crafty Dog Vendor Fair. And we are even having a fundraiser dinner at the Keweenaw Heritage Center! A detailed schedule will be made available by the end of the week.
Mushers, sponsors, and volunteers will all be contacted in the next few days in regard to what’s next.
Join us, and let’s make some lemonade!!
To learn more about the CopperDog 150, click here.
