![]() Entry fees ranged from $20 for the 3-dog class to $80 for the marathon. By 1990 the race had six classes for a purse totaling $10,000. The All-American ran from 1970 to the early 1990s. Of course, the post race Awards Banquet was the highlight of the race weekend with awards now including a Governor’s Cup and the Mayor’s Trophy. The Ely Kiwanis Club provided a Pancake Breakfast on Saturday morning and the Rotary Club hosted the Saturday evening Mushers Banquet. The All American kicked off with a Torchlight Parade to the high school, followed by a variety of pre-race events. A new award was added to the race – the Mayor’s Cup – which recognized the team who achieved the fastest single day trail time. All 109 teams braved the bitter cold as they vied for the $5000 purse. By race time the thermometer had risen to 35 below zero. The race was quickly becoming the largest sled dog race in the Midwest.Ĭold temperatures greeted mushers in 1972, as early morning broke to 48 degrees below zero. Spectators numbering from 18 to 20 thousand lined Sheridan Street and the race course to cheer the energized teams on. Thus, the All-American Championship Sled Dog Race was born.īy 1971, the All American had grown to 77 teams and over 1000 dogs competing in the race for a purse of $4250.00. Ely’s first sled dog race was set for January 17-18, 1970 with a purse of $3000 and three race classes. The group contacted North Star Sled Dog Club based out of the Twin Cities, who provided seasoned experts Ozzie Bayer, John Cooper and Gary Lilie as consultants. This group included resort owners Bob & Shirley Klaesges and Berna & August Seliskar, US Forest Supervisor Brian Stout, business owners Russ Robertson and Dick Marsh, and resident Helen Wegner. Searching for a way to promote winter recreation in Ely, a group of individuals and organizations joined together in 1969 to discuss options.
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