Iron Dog adds $10K halfway prize in Nome

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Like the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and the Yukon Quest, the Iron Dog is an ultra-marathon adventure unique to Alaska. The world's longest snowmachine race is now adding a halfway prize.

Beginning in 2011, the first pro-class team to reach Nome will receive a $10,000 prize in gold. With the race giving a nod to Alaska history, you can bet snowmachiners will be staging their own gold rush.

It should be interesting to see whether the prize changes race strategy. Pro-class teams can register for the race until Nov. 15.

Contact Kevin Wells at kwells@ktuu.com