Larry Malloy photo courtesy of CopperDog

LAURIUM – The annual CopperDog sled dog race is a week away, and the village of Laurium is ready. Village Manager Ian Lewis has been working with CopperDog organizers since they announced in June, 2025 that the race will begin in Calumet, but finish in Laurium for the first time. The three-day race event will take place February 27 – March 1.

“The race meetings are all done and over with,” Lewis said. “Laurium is almost set and we’re really excited for the race to finish,” Lewis said.

On Feb. 28, the Gipp Recreation area will also host the CopperDash, a 75-foot sprint for youth, the CopperDog social media page says. Youth are welcome – and encouraged – to bring their own dogs. Sleds and harnesses will be provided. For those who don’t have a dog, some will available from CD Kennels Malamutes & Rescue, and Twin Cities Dog Powered Sports.

“Right now, we have a tentative schedule set for 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday,” Lewis said.

On March 1, the Copper Pull will go from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lewis said, “and our plan is to have a free public skate in line with that, as well.”

Lewis said the public skating will occur during the CopperDog Pull times.

“Rental skates will still cost $2,” he said, “but we have plenty of rental skates, so anyone who wants try and skate, the more the merrier.”

On March 1, the 10-dog CD120 will be finishing at the Gipp Recreation Area, starting about mid-day, as 30-or-so teams return from Copper Harbor on the third and last leg of CopperDog’s longest race.

Refreshments will also be available inside the arena. Lewis said the tentative race finish time on Sunday is between 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The concession stand at the Gipp will be open at that time, he said.

“People can go into the warming area and have have hot chocolate, cappuccinos and whatever” Lewis said adding food will also be available. Lewis said Jen’s Kitchen, in Calumet, will have people onsite offering pasties and bakery items.

He said that while the village is all set for the weekend, CopperDog is seeking volunteers for Laurium. Following the race activities, states the CopperDog website, volunteers are needed to help with taking down snow fencing, stacking materials, and loading fencing for transport or storage.

“This role focuses solely on fencing removal and site cleanup to help restore the area quickly and safely,” the website says.

For more information, or to sign up to volunteer, visit the CopperDog website at https://copperdog.org/volunteer/