2026 Race Routes

For those planning to attend the race start-finish, we will have alternate parking locations around town, plus some street parking along Sheridan Street.

Please leave all pets at home.

Those planning to watch the race at one of the road crossings may do so, however, park well away from the crossing area and remain back from the road crossing crews. Safety first - our road crews must be able to see vehicle traffic and teams traveling on the trail. You may be asked to move to a different location or move a vehicle that creates issues with the road crossing operation. Road crossing points are at Raven Lane, and two on Bear Head State Park Road.

All those viewing within Bear Head State Park are required to have state park vehicle tags. We will have a cheering point at the Bear Head Trail Center along with complimentary hot beverages.

Race routes

The Ultimate Northwoods Challenge

Ely, Minnesota, is the gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness—one million acres of pristine forest with lakes, rivers, and abundant wildlife. The BWCAW is part of the Superior National Forest, over three million acres of land that is wild and scenic and offers visitors a wide variety of outdoor experiences from the serene to the adventurous. What could be more appropriate for this setting than a sled dog race?

The WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race takes place in February each year in these beautiful, natural, and wild surroundings. The WolfTrack Classic consists of two mid-distance races: a 6-dog and an 8-dog competition. It all starts Sunday, February 22, at 9:00 a.m., when the first 8-dog team heads down the trail on its way through 48 miles of wild and beautiful boreal forest on the Taconite trail that winds back to finish in Ely. The 6-dog teams also leave from the Ely start for a 28-mile race and also travel on the Taconite Trai,l winding around near Purvis Lake and back to Ely. Over 40 teams with hundreds of canine athletes are ready to go the distance in these two races. It’s always an exciting finish as the teams break through the last of the forest tree line and give their last great spurt of energy as they race towards the finish line.

Sled Dog Racing

Ely has a long record of sled dog racing. Ely's first race was held January 17-18, 1970.

Learn More