North Pole Sled Dog Championships: Celebrating 50 Years

0:00From Anchorage, this is your March 6th update. The North Pole Sled Dog Championships kicked off Thursday in Alaska, celebrating 50 years of fast-paced fun on the snow. This year's event leads with the Junior North American Championships, drawing young racers as young as 18 months old in teams of up to 6 dogs. Tied to the local winter carnival during spring break, the racers have grown into a beloved community tradition since the beginning. This is highlighted as the first of three major sprint dog races in Alaska's interior region. To mark the milestone, they're bringing back a celebrity race absent for decades. Originally held on an open field now home to a mall, this version follows a 1.8-mile loop that the kids use too. Local leaders are stepping up for the fun, including three mayors. The vice-wing commander from Eelson Air Force Base, a captain with state troopers. And two city council members, junior races continue through Saturday across various age and experience classes from one dog pulls to bigger teams.

1:02Adult competitions then take over, wrapping up Sunday with plenty of excitement ahead. The Daily News Now is grateful to our sponsor for today's episode. Sully Pillow is a pillow with built-in headphones, lay back, press play, and disappear into what you're listening to. S-O-L-I. SullyPillow.com