The Iron Dog race purse total for 2011 will reach a record high of $194,500, which includes a $50,000 cash prize for the first place Pro class team. The previous record, set in 2010, was a total of $187,900.
"Exceeding the 2010 purse was no easy task," Kevin Kastner, executive director of the Iron Dog, said. "Given the challenges of taking the reigns just six months ago, the economic realities of the day and the number of new ideas introduced this year, I'm both thrilled and frankly amazed we were able to garner the level of support we did this year. We are truly grateful to all our sponsors."
In addition to an increased overall purse and new contingency prizes for 2011, the Iron Dog Board of Directors has approved a new schedule for the cash prize payout. From a pool of $125,000, the cash prizes will be awarded to the top five Pro class teams as follows:
1st place $50,000
2nd place $35,000
3rd place $18,000
4th place $12,000
5th place $10,000
For the team finishing in 6th place, the prize is a certificate for a free entry into the 2012 Iron Dog race for both riders. Teams finishing in 7th place and beyond will be entered into a special prize drawing to be awarded during the banquet in Fairbanks, AK, after the finish of the 2011 race. Prizes for the "Finisher's Drawing" are still being gathered, but they are expected to equal a value of more than $4,000 in total.
For more information, visit www.irondograce.org.