The Kuskokwim 300 race committee says that it is raising the purses for local and featured K300 races, and starting a new local race.
In a press release, the K300 said that a new local sled dog race will take place between the beginning and middle of December, and is likely to be less than 50 miles long. The name of the race was not mentioned in the release.
The committee also announced that it will be raising the purses for the Holiday Classic, the 100 Mile Challenge, the February 50, and the Camp-Out Race. They also added cash payouts to mushers all the way up to fifteenth place.
The purses for the Kuskokwim 300, the Bogus Creek 150, and the Akiak Dash will also be raised, and the cash payouts for the K300 will be extended to twenty-fifth place. The total purse for the thirty-eighth annual Kuskokwim 300 race will be $150,000, and it is scheduled to begin on January 20, 2017. New K300 manager Madelene Reichard said that the increases in purses and cash payouts are meant to attract more participation in those races.
The committee also introduced three new board members: Rachel DeHaan, Alton Alexie and veteran musher Richie Diehl.