by Greg Lincoln
The 2024 Kuskokwim 300 Sled Dog Race is this Friday, January 26, 2024 starting here in Bethel, Alaska – the 45th running of Alaska’s premier mid-distance dog race. The roster features a talented field of mushers including past champions, local favorites, and rookies.
Local racers this year will include seven time champion Pete Kaiser of Bethel, John Snyder of Akiachak, the 22-23 Delta Championship Series winner Raymond Alexie of Kwethluk, the 2021 K300 and Bogus Creek champion Richie Diehl of Aniak, Bethel’s Jessica Klejka, Isaac Underwood of Crooked Creek, Father Alexander Larson of Napaskiak, the 2019 Bogus Creek 150 winner Jason Pavila of Kwethluk, and 2011 K300 runner up and 2006 Bogus Creek champion Mike Williams Jr.
Past champions who are coming back for another shot at the K300 crown include defending champion Pete Kaiser (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2023), Richie Diehl (2021), Matthew Failor (2019), 9 time K300 champion and current record holder for the most wins – Jeff King (1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, and 2013), and 1995 K300 champion Ramey Smyth. And coming for his first run in the K300 is 2023 Iditarod Champion Ryan Redington of Knik, AK.
Running the K300 for the first time include Ebbe Winstrup Pederson, Joe Taylor, Raymond Alexie, Riley Dyche, KattiJo Deeter, Hunter Keefe, Bailey Vitello, and Ryan Redington. Raymond Alexie will be one to watch – he is still on his phenomenal winning streak in Kuskokwim racing for the past two seasons.
Good luck, have a great race.
K300 Mushers 2024
In the order of registration – as of 1/12/24
Musher Age Hometown Kennel
1 Travis Beals 31 Seward Turning Heads Kennel
2 Pete Kaiser 35 Bethel Kaiser Racing Kennel
3 Ebbe W. Pedersen 42 Alta, Norway/Takotna Lev Shvarts/Mats Pettersson
4 Joe Taylor 31 Fresno, CA/Ester Mushing Malarkey
5 John Snyder 38 Akiachak Snyder’s Kennel
6 Dave Turner 51 Fairbanks Racing Chaos
7 Josh McNeal 29 Ester Crooked Creek Kennel
8 Raymond Alexie 20 Kwethluk Alexie Racing Kennel
9 Gabe Dunham 38 Willow Evermore Adventures
10 Richie Diehl 38 Aniak Real Diehl Racing
11 Jessica Klejka 33 Bet/Wasilla Tailwind Kennel
12 Riley Dyche 32 Big Lake Dark Horse Sled Dogs
13 Matthew Failor 41 Willow 17th Dog/Team Matt Failor
14 KattiJo Deeter 37 Fairbanks Black Spruce Dog Sledding
15 Cim Smyth 47 Big Lake Mushing Alaska
16 Hunter Keefe 22 Okemos, MI Redington’s Mush Alaska
17 Isaac Underwood 43 Crooked Creek Underwood Kennels
18 Jeff King 67 Denali Husky Homestead
19 Fr. Alexander Larson 61 Napaskiak Larson Kennel
20 Jeff Deeter 35 Fairbanks Black Spruce Dog Sledding
21 Jason Pavila 20 Kwethluk Bad River Kennels
22 Nicolas Petit 43 Girdwood Team Petit
23 Aaron Burmeister 48 Nome/Nenana Alaskan Wildstyle Racing
24 Mike Williams Jr. 38 Akiak Williams Racing Kennel
25 Dakota Schlosser 26 Willow Sled Dog Systems Racing
26 Bailey Vitello 26 Milan, NH/Nenana Team Bailey
27 Ryan Redington 41 Knik Redington Mushing
28 Ramey Smyth 48 Willow Smyth Racing Team
