The trail will run 154 miles through the Red River Valley, on the Red River of the North. The Red River Valley has been called one of the world's flattest landscapes. The area is mostly open farm land with a rich history of the fur trade with Fort Gibraltar & Fort Garry in Winnipeg. The trail will travel along routes that Alexander Henry and his men traveled in the 1800's. The race will start and finish in Halstad, MN. The teams will start with 8 - 12 dogs each. The area has limited trees except along the Red River.
Race checkpoints will be at supporting communities along the route. Each checkpoint may provide a warming area for mushers and a quiet resting area for dogs. Spectators and members of the media will be able to view the dogs and mushers at the check points and at bridges along the way. The average distance between checkpoints will be approx. 40 miles. Dog trucks and their handlers will be allowed at the checkpoint to assist with their teams. Teams will be provided straw but team handlers should plan to pick up water.
