The Tustumena 200 Sled Dog Race originally as a beer run where a bunch of guys used to head off on their sleds with their dogs to a quiet location so they could party without interruption, so it is told…. Dean Osmar 1984 Iditarod winner founded the race, and he begs to differ on its origin; He founded the race for his son, and local mushers. It was partly to assist his son make up enough race miles required to compete in the Iditarod. In 1994, the race became recognised by the T200 Sled Dog Race Association, which helped towards its phenonimal growth and popularity since.

The race which began with such small purses as ‘a crate of beer’ for the winner, now boasts a purse of over 20,000 dollars. This year the winner of the Tustumena 200 is legendary Iditarod champion Jeff King who hails from Denali, Alaska.