2/10/2025

IRON RIVER - After last year’s lack of snow forced the cancellation of the event, there was plenty for this years running of the annual Northern Pines Sled Dog races in Iron River. More than 50 mushers driving hundreds of dogs ran the races on Saturday. Both pros and young races competed against each other. Mushers come from all over the country to compete, from as far away as Georgia, Illinois and Ontario, Canada. One such competitor, J.R. Fontenot traveled with his family from Ohio, competing with four dogs to place sixth in his class on his eighth birthday and then watched his mom compete later in the day in a six dog race. Race Marshal and retired musher Rob Lumbard said the younger competitors have a unique opportunity to race against pros, enabling them to become better mushers by watching and learning some of the trick of the trade.