The Copper Dog 150 races see both experienced and amateur mushers trek across the back country of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Background
The Copper Dog 150 is an annual sled dog event held the first weekend of March in Calumet, MI, on the Keweenaw Peninsula, the most northern region of the Great Lake State.
Mushers and their team of dogs travel through the expansive wilderness through back trails, snowmobile paths, up and down mountains, and occasionally side streets.
The event has four different races ranging in both length and difficulty. The mileage of the races include 15, 30, 80, and 150.
The length of the races also determine how many stages it has. A stage is a portion of a race that must be completed before moving onto the next, with a rest period before starting the next segment.
The races
The 15 mile race can be completed in about an hour and a half. This race takes the mushers through and around the city of Calumet, and is intended for less experienced mushers. The 30 mile is a slightly more demanding race taking mushers deeper into the wilderness.
