Frequently Asked Questions for Mushers
Where do I put my drop bags, and when is the deadline?
The Kobuk 440 will ship drop bags to Noorvik, Selawik, Kiana and Ambler. (Please note: No HEET is permitted in drop bags). Shipping pallets will be set up outside Bering Air at the Kotzebue Airport for mushers to drop bags. Bags must be dropped to Bering Air by 5pm on Monday March 31, 2025. Kobuk 440 will do everything we can to see that drop food bags are sent out, however, Kobuk 440 is not responsible for any bags dropped after this time. Please notify us in advance if you anticipate any issues getting your drop bags in.
How will musher lodging work in Kotzebue?
Musher lodging will be coordinated by the Kobuk 440 board, via email. Mushers will stay with a community member, with some exceptions. If you have questions or requests about lodging, please email [email protected].
How do I transport my dogs to Kotzebue?
There are several cargo carriers available to fly your dogs to Kotzebue, including Northern Air Cargo (1-800-727-2141 or 907-243-3331), Everts Air Cargo (1-866-242-0009), and Alaska Air Cargo (1-800-252-7522). Please contact them directly to book cargo flights to and from Kotzebue, then email [email protected] the itinerary.
What is the purse breakdown?
The 2025 purse has not yet been announced. Past purse breakdown is available here.
Will HEET be available?
Any mushers that would like to have HEET on the trail are required to purchase it in Kotzebue (The local KIC/Ace Hardware carries it, as stock allows). Mushers must write their name on the bottle and give it to the K440 trail crew at the start, who will transport it to the checkpoints. HEET should NOT be put in drop bags. Each musher is required to have five bottles of HEET (or gas equivalent) at the race start.
How much mandatory rest time is required during the race?
There is a mandatory 20 hours of rest time required. Rest time can be split up at designated checkpoints of the musher’s discretion. Rest time will be tallied in Selawik. Any amount of rest time not taken to meet the 20 hour requirement may incur a substantial penalty.
Are there any mandatory meetings for mushers?
Each musher must attend a mandatory pre-race meeting before the bib drawing and a post-race meeting prior to the closing banquet.
What does the race course look like this year?
For 2025, the race course will be Kotzebue → Noorvik → Kiana → Ambler → Shungnak → Kobuk, then Shungnak → Ambler → Selawik → Noorvik, with a finish in Kotzebue. The course follows the Northwest Arctic Borough staked winter trails with some additional Kobuk 440 staking in and out of the checkpoints.
The Kobuk 440 will ship drop bags to Noorvik, Selawik, Kiana and Ambler. (Please note: No HEET is permitted in drop bags). Shipping pallets will be set up outside Bering Air at the Kotzebue Airport for mushers to drop bags. Bags must be dropped to Bering Air by 5pm on Monday March 31, 2025. Kobuk 440 will do everything we can to see that drop food bags are sent out, however, Kobuk 440 is not responsible for any bags dropped after this time. Please notify us in advance if you anticipate any issues getting your drop bags in.
How will musher lodging work in Kotzebue?
Musher lodging will be coordinated by the Kobuk 440 board, via email. Mushers will stay with a community member, with some exceptions. If you have questions or requests about lodging, please email [email protected].
How do I transport my dogs to Kotzebue?
There are several cargo carriers available to fly your dogs to Kotzebue, including Northern Air Cargo (1-800-727-2141 or 907-243-3331), Everts Air Cargo (1-866-242-0009), and Alaska Air Cargo (1-800-252-7522). Please contact them directly to book cargo flights to and from Kotzebue, then email [email protected] the itinerary.
What is the purse breakdown?
The 2025 purse has not yet been announced. Past purse breakdown is available here.
Will HEET be available?
Any mushers that would like to have HEET on the trail are required to purchase it in Kotzebue (The local KIC/Ace Hardware carries it, as stock allows). Mushers must write their name on the bottle and give it to the K440 trail crew at the start, who will transport it to the checkpoints. HEET should NOT be put in drop bags. Each musher is required to have five bottles of HEET (or gas equivalent) at the race start.
How much mandatory rest time is required during the race?
There is a mandatory 20 hours of rest time required. Rest time can be split up at designated checkpoints of the musher’s discretion. Rest time will be tallied in Selawik. Any amount of rest time not taken to meet the 20 hour requirement may incur a substantial penalty.
Are there any mandatory meetings for mushers?
Each musher must attend a mandatory pre-race meeting before the bib drawing and a post-race meeting prior to the closing banquet.
What does the race course look like this year?
For 2025, the race course will be Kotzebue → Noorvik → Kiana → Ambler → Shungnak → Kobuk, then Shungnak → Ambler → Selawik → Noorvik, with a finish in Kotzebue. The course follows the Northwest Arctic Borough staked winter trails with some additional Kobuk 440 staking in and out of the checkpoints.