The Alaska Army National Guard will become the presenting partner for the 2010 Iron Dog Race.

"The idea is to increase brand awareness and the Guard program,” Lt. Colonel Joe Lawendowski, Alaska Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Commander, said. “Participation with the Iron Dog bolsters the Alaska Guard in the local and national public eye,"

The popularity of The World's Longest Toughest Snowmobile Race has seen enormous growth in the last five years. "The Guard’s participation in this uniquely Alaskan event raises community involvement," Lawendowski said.

The race begins in Big Lake, heads to Nome, and travels across 2,000 miles of some of the most grueling trails in the world, finishing in downtown Fairbanks, impacting 26 communities across the state. As race spectators watch the teams speed through their cities and villages they will get excited about not only the Iron Dog, but their opportunity to support the Alaska Army National Guard. 

The Guard will be sending a team of two up the trail in the Recreational Class that runs half the distance from Big Lake to Nome.

Laura Bedard, executive director of the Iron Dog said, "We're excited to work with the Army National Guard as they bring new dynamics to the race."

For more information about the Alaska Army National Guard, visit www.akguard.com or a link can be found at www.irondog.org.