Lake Minnetonka Klondike Dog Derby ending after years of canceled races

EXCELSIOR, Minn. (FOX 9) - The Lake Minnetonka Klondike Dog Derby will end operations after years of canceled races due to warm winter conditions.

Lake Minnetonka Klondike Dog Derby winding down

What they're saying:

The Klondike Dog Derby board said it made the unanimous decision to end because of warm winters that made conditions on Lake Minnetonka unsafe to hold dog sled races.

"After three consecutive years without being able to run the race for safety reasons — and only three successful races in the past seven years — we have concluded that it is no longer sustainable for our 100% volunteer‑run organization to continue," the board said in a letter to the community. "The race requires two weather conditions that have become increasingly unreliable: solid lake ice and adequate snow cover. In recent years, achieving both has been, at best, a 50‑50 chance, leaving us with an unsafe course on which to run a sled dog race."

The board also thanked those who made the event possible and built its reputation during the years the races happened.

"We are grateful to the communities of Excelsior and Lake Minnetonka for embracing this event and helping make it one of Minnesota’s winter highlights in the years it did run. The Klondike quickly earned a reputation in the mushing world as ‘world‑class,’ ‘one of the best of the best,’ and a true ‘must‑do'," the board's letter says. "We are also especially proud of our education team, which introduced thousands of local students to the sport of sled dog racing and the remarkable athleticism, trust and bond between mushers and their dogs. 

Farewell event planned 

What's next:

Organizers say they are planning a farewell event to thank everyone who supported the derby over the years, with more information to be shared on the group's Facebook page. 

Volunteers spent thousands of hours each year on everything from organizing to fundraising, the organization said.

Community impact

Why you should care:

The Klondike Dog Derby was known for its 40-mile route starting and ending in downtown Excelsior, drawing more than 30,000 people each year and giving a big boost to local businesses. 

The Lake Minnetonka Klondike Dog Derby is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to celebrating sled dog racing and honoring Minnesota’s history with the sport. 

Through the years, the derby also supported groups like Can Do Canines, Adopt a Husky, ICA Food Shelf and Cast Outdoors.