The eastern U.P.’s Hiawatha Heritage Dog Sled Race returns

The eastern U.P.’s sole dog sled race returns this winter after a successful inaugural run in 2025.

Add the 2026 Hiawatha Heritage Dog Sled Race to your winter calendar. The two-day event is sponsored by the nearly 100-year-old Hiawatha Sportsman’s Club and its nonprofit foundation, the HSC Foundation, Inc. 

What makes the Hiawatha Heritage Dog Sled Race unique? The race is wholly contained on a single property and does not involve crossing roads or railroad tracks. The race is held on the club’s 50 square miles of property in Mackinac County.

“After our race in 2025, mushers said they had never had such a wonderful experience,” said Bruce Fondren, chair of the event and a board member of the Hiawatha Club. “From the picturesque surroundings to a superbly groomed ‘superhighway’ course with many twists and turns and no roads or railroad tracks to cross, it was both a safe and enjoyable experience. There were cheering fans at multiple sites who encouraged mushers and dogs alike.”

What’s happening: The Hiawatha Heritage Dog Sled Race returns this winter after a successful inaugural run in 2025. The second running will be held January 31-Feb. 1, with more races and other activities, organizers said. Sponsored by the Hiawatha Sportsman’s Club and the HSC Foundation, the event also coincides with the club’s winter carnival, open to the public.  A club fundraiser, the carnival features food vendors and kid and family-friendly activities, including an ice fishing derby, sledding and a Chili Cookoff. 

“We’re a community-oriented club with multiple events and programs to engage the local community,” Fondren said. “The races and our Winter Carnival are all family-centered activities and free to the public, with all proceeds raised flowing back to the community through our HSC Foundation.:

About the race: The Hiawatha Heritage Dog Sled Race will be held at the Hiawatha Sportsman’s Club Activities Complex in Engadine in Mackinac County. Last year’s race consisted of two 30-mile mushers’ derbies, one each day. Twenty-one mushers completed the races in 2025.  This year’s race will be different, with three distinct races. They are:

HHDSR 80, an eight-dog, 80-mile overnight endurance race run in two segments. Teams will run a 40-mile loop twice for a total of 80 miles. The first segment will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, and the final segment starts at 7 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 1. Teams will spend the night under the stars at the HSC Activities Complex.

HHDSR 30 Intermediate, a six-dog, 30-mile daytime race that will follow last year’s course. The race begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31.

HHDSR 3, a three-dog race competing against a three-mile trail. The race will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31. It’s open to mushers 12 and younger, and a guardian may accompany. The race has no entry fee.

Last year’s participation: In 2025, mushers represented Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Canada. Spectators came from all over the country, including Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Michigan and other Midwestern states. 

About the foundation: The HSC Foundation is a nonprofit, private foundation organized to receive and administer funds to protect the natural resources of the U.P. The protection includes, but is not limited to, the Hiawatha Sportsman’s Club and its surrounding watershed.

About the club: The Hiawatha Sportsman’s Club is a member-owned wilderness playground in the U.P. with 36,000 acres of private forests, spring-fed streams, lakes and winding trails. The Club was formed in 1927 and is the largest club of its kind east of the Mississippi River. 

Information: The races are free and open to the public. Go to,