In less than two months, sled dog racing season in northern Minnesota will kick off in Northome with the Voyageurs Classic race slated for Jan. 6-8.

The race, which was formerly known as the White Oak Sled Dog Race, features new routes that will take mushers and their teams of dogs across snowmobile trails designed to enhance the race, according to officials.

“Formerly, the sled dog race was affiliated with the White Oak Society located near Deer River and that is no longer the case,” said Mary Lukenbill, a member of the Voyageurs Classic race committee. “The route change came about because of Northome’s involvement with the race from the beginning. Northome has an excellent staging area available at the Northome School with great trail access for the start of the race.”

The 10-dog professional race will begin in Northome and travel through Effie to Bigfork. After a mandatory rest stop, the route will continue through Marcell to Barney’s on County Road 4 for another rest before returning to Northome. Teams will travel a total of 140 miles.

The 8-dog pro race will travel the same initial route as the 10-dog pro, with a finish line located in Bigfork. Teams in this category will travel 60 miles.

“We find that this group of people while competitive, also has in mind not only the well being of their sled dogs but also of their fellow mushers,” Lukenbill said of the level of competition among those participating in the race.

Start times begin at 10 a.m. Jan. 7, continuing through the classes until about noon. Spectators can see and cheer on the teams in Effie, Bigfork, Marcell and Squaw Lake. 

Ray resident Ryan Anderson has confirmed he return to the race to defend his title. Anderson has won the White Oak 10-dog class since 2008.

Although he hasn’t traveled the new route, Anderson told The Journal last week that the close-to-home race is “always a favorite.”

Lukenbill said committee is in need of volunteers to assist dog handlers at the start of the race and other various positions throughout the competition. Anyone interested can contact race director Ellen Bogardus-Szymaniak at 218-327-4999 or through the contact page on the race website, www.voyageursclassic.com.