2nd Iditarod qualifier yields to warm temperatures

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A qualifying race for Alaska's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race has been cancelled due to warm weather, the second mid-distance qualifier to be cancelled.

Race officials called off the Tustumena 200 sled dog race on the Kenai Peninsula on Friday.

The Anchorage Daily News reports ( http://bit.ly/1cftNMp) that the run of mild weather and rain wiped out much of the snow in south-central Alaska. Earlier this week, the Northern Lights 300 at Big Lake was also cancelled.

Race director Tami Murray says a dearth of snow and too much water forced their decision.

Reigning Iditarod champion Mitch Seavey topped the field signed up for the Tustumena.

Other events, including a high school cross-country ski race and a fat-tire bike series, were also cancelled.

___

Information from: Anchorage (Alaska) Daily News, http://www.adn.com

(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Related topics