By The Associated Press
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The world's longest snowmobile race has a new sponsor.
Iron Dog race officials on Tuesday announced the Alaska Army National Guard has signed on as a presenting partner. The race's former title sponsor, Tesoro Corp., withdrew its sponsorship last month.
Guard spokesman Maj. Guy Hayes says the sponsorship presents another opportunity to not only reach out to those who might be interested in joining, but also to support a "truly Alaskan event."
Hayes says the sponsorship will cost $250,000 and will be provided by the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C., as part of recruitment efforts.
The 2,000-mile Iron Dog is scheduled to begin Feb. 8 in Big Lake. Snowmobilers will travel to Nome and then finish in Fairbanks.
