Grandmother’s Bay, 300-mile race returns to Canadian Challenge

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“[For] people who want to run the Iditarod … you need two 300-mile qualifying races to run the Iditarod, and with the change of weather, there are more and more 300-mile races getting cancelled or 200-miles races getting cancelled because of weather, so there are less and less options for mushers who want to run the Iditarod. The Challenge has always been a qualifier and we got rid of the 300 just because of a lack of interest.” 

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Grandmother's Bay, 300-mile race returns to Canadian Challenge

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In 2027, Grandmother’s Bay, La Ronge and Weyakwin will be the communities hosting the race. The 300-mile and 10-dog, 200-mile (322-km) races will reach all three communities, while the shorter eight-dog, 100-mile (161-km) race will include Grandmother’s Bay and La Ronge.  

With the new changes, Mondor is hopeful there will be a renewed interest in the Canadian Challenge. For the 2026 race, interest was so low the board was concerned about having to cancel the Canadian Challenge due to a lack of mushers.  

“From what I have been told, the most they have ever had at the race is 28 and they have had as low as eight. I am thinking if we get 10 to 20 racers, that’s a success for the Challenge,” he said. 

The board is also faced with the task of ensuring the Canadian Challenge remains viable as it is the only race of its kind west of Quebec and east of the Yukon.  

“Without community support, involvement and interest, things fade away and die away and we don’t want that to happen,” Mondor noted. 

“Dog sled racing for mid-distance is not a common thing anywhere in Saskatchewan. This is the only race. There is no other mid-distances races this side of Quebec that are 200-plus miles outside of the Yukon Quest in Whitehorse, so it is kind of a one-off thing. We need people out, we need fans outs, we need support out. If we can bring 20 or 25 mushing teams to La Ronge, that’s hotels, that’s food at restaurants, that’s buying fuel and food. That’s a big impact to a smaller community.” 

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com