The hometown hero has become the winningest musher in the history of the Kuskokwim 300 Sled Dog Race, pulling through the finish line in Bethel at 10:40 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 25.

Two newcomers and two veterans – one poised to become the winningest K300 musher ever – led the pack late in the evening of Saturday, Jan. 24, headed into the final checkpoint in Tuluksak.

The Kwethluk musher, now in his second year of racing, beat out 15 teams in the race to Akiak and back on Saturday, Jan. 24.

In a repeat of last year’s race, the Akiak mushing veteran and his 11 dogs were first to the halfway point of the race, pulling in just before 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24.

Sunny skies graced the start line for the 2026 Akiak Dash as sixteen mushers and their teams took off in a mass start up the Kuskokwim River. From Bethel to Akiak and back, teams will have travelled 65 miles upon their return.

At noon on Jan. 24, the Bethel riverfront was a frenzy of activity as 16 dog teams set off for the 60-mile race to Akiak and back.

Sixteen mushers are registered to compete in the 60 mile out-and-back race, which will take place Saturday, Jan. 24 in Bethel.

On what looks to be a perfect night for mushing, 23 teams competing in this year's Kuskokwim 300 Sled Dog Race are on the trail.

This weekend marks the 47th running of the Kuskokwim 300 Sled Dog Race, putting 23 teams to the test under what are expected to be great trail conditions. The field of mushers is a mix of newcomers and veterans – each with their own place in the history of the unique race.

The Bogus Creek 150 sled dog race has been postponed due to extreme cold weather conditions, a stark contrast to the warm conditions last year.