Dog Sled racing is a bit of a mystery for most people. What a spectator usually sees is the 16 dogs heading down 4th Avenue for the start of the Iditarod or the 12 dogs flying down the Glen Highway at the start of the Copper Basin. What people normally don't see are the puppies going on "adventures" where getting through the grass or over a stick is a huge accomplishment. Or the yearlings who are training for the first time and will be the core of the racing teams in the years to come. Or the 10, 11, 12 year olds whose job it is to take those puppies on their "adventures". The kennel is a world of its own. A Kennel Sponsor supports the entire kennel and all of its endeavors, in things like, sled, snow mobile and ATV repairs, race costs, veterinary services, vaccinations, puppy and yearling food, kennel improvements and so much more.

SP Kennel Sponsors are welcome to an overnight Dog Sled Adventure in Two Rivers, Alaska. Two Days and one night on the trail with Aliy and her dogs. They will also receive an official SP Kennel Sponsor Gift, a signed framed Iditarod photo of Aliy and her dogs, kennel newsletter updates, daily e-mail race updates (must request) and a post-race journal. Be part of the team!

SP Kennel Sponsorship: $2500 and above

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Level Two: Arctic Adventure Sponsor

The "Arctic Adventure" Sponsors provides yearlong support of the entire Iditarod racing team. Over two-thirds of the miles the dogs run in a year are during training, before the Iditarod even begins. Funds are used for fish and meats, vaccinations, worming, race entry fees, travel for training, harnesses, lines and more. This insures that SP Kennel's Iditarod team reaches the starting line healthy, well-trained, competitive and properly outfitted.

"Arctic Adventure" Sponsors are invited to spend a weekend at SP Kennel, which includes a kennel introduction and a dog sled ride. They will also receive an official SP Kennel gift, a signed framed Iditarod photo of Aliy and her dogs, kennel newsletter updates, daily e-mail race updates (must request) and a post-race journal What really happened out there!

"Arctic Adventure" Sponsors: $1000 to $2499

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Level Three: Dog Sponsor

As an "Adopt a Dog" Sponsor, you support a specific dog for the entire race season. Like each football or basketball player on a team, each dog on the team has his or her own special needs above the basic. Lillith had puppies late in the summer so she needs to wear a belly blanket for added protection for her chest. Oddball needs wraps to prevent the wrist problems he tends to get when the trails are hard. As a Dog Sponsor, you provide these special needs as well as basics like a new harness, collar and name tag, dog blankets for the trail, vitamins, medications and vaccinations, snacks (lamb chunks, salmon, chicken skins, turkey, etc.), bedding and dog house repairs.

As an "Adopt-A-Dog" Sponsor, you will get a Dog Information Packet about your dog including picture, dog stats, history and current contribution to the team. You will also receive an official SP Kennel gift, kennel newsletter updates, daily e-mail race updates (must request) and a post-race journal.

"Adopt-A-Dog" Sponsorship: $500

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Level Four: Checkpoint Sponsor

Checkpoints are the re-supply points along the trail where Aliy can pick up more food, clothing and equipment. A volunteer veterinarian is there to help with dog dilemmas (and sometimes human). There is often a warm place to sleep for the musher, always straw for the dogs and moral support.

Each checkpoint has its own special needs. By choosing and sponsoring a specific checkpoint, you allow us to send out more than adequate amounts of dog food, dog snacks and supplies. We also ship out food, clothing and personal gear for Aliy, additional dog gear and other emergency, "just in case", supplies. This includes runner plastics for the sled, spare harnesses and lines for the dogs, and other supplies that may be required at this spot on the trail. Click here for a checkpoint sponsorship form.

The Yukon River tends to be very cold and windy so we send out extra blankets for the dogs as well as extra fatty foods to the river checkpoints. The coast is ever unpredictable so Unalakleet, Koyuk, Elim and White Mountain must be stocked with enough food and supplies in case there is a storm. We need to make sure that the right equipment is at the correct checkpoint. By sponsoring a checkpoint, you are part of the race! Last year, we shipped out a little over 1650 pounds of dog food and supplies to checkpoints along the 1000 Mile Iditarod Trail.

Checkpoint Sponsors receive information about your chosen checkpoint - a short history, population, location, significance to the race as well as any special gear or supplies Aliy will send out there for the race. You will also get kennel newsletter updates, daily e-mail race updates (must request) and a post-race journal.

"Checkpoint" Sponsor: $300
Choose Your Checkpoint.

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Level Five: "Pack the Sled" Sponsor

Dog Sled Racing is a very equipment intensive sport. The right gear is what can get you and the dogs down the trail safely and competitively. There is a list of required gear as well as an even longer list of necessary gear to get Aliy to Nome. Here is an incomplete list of items needed for the Iditarod Run. You can request what you would like to purchase for the team or let Aliy decide what equipment to buy.

• A pair of waterproof / windproof pants: $150
• Fleece Gloves – 2 sets per Checkpoint: $10 per pair
• New Carabiners to attach the lines to the sled: $20 each
• Lithium Batteries (15 sets for the headlights. Nothing like being able to see): $25 per set
• Dog "Booties" to protect feet. (We send out 2500.) $1 eash
• Chemical Hand Warmers (100 Sets - Critical for mushers): $1 per set
• Waterproof sleeping bag compression sack. Aliy's -40º down bag is fantastic at keeping her warm - unless it gets wet! : $25
• New set of race lines: $100
• Sled Runner Plastics (MANY): $40 per pair
• Dog Liniment for Sore Muscles: $30 per Bottle
• Fleece Throws - We keep several small square fleece blankets that the dogs either snuggle on or under. This extra insulation while sleeping on the trail is a bonus for our hard working dogs. : $8 per throw

"Pack the Sled" Sponsors will receive kennel newsletter updates, daily e-mail race updates (must request) and a post-race journal. How it really was out on the trail.

"Pack the Sled" Sponsors: Up to $299

All donations are truly appreciated. I hope you enjoy following the race. For more information, visit us at www.aliyzirkle.com or e-mail us at aliyz@naturalextremes.com. Kaz will be sending out daily updates by e-mail this year. If you would like to be on that list, please let us know. You can also read about the Iditarod at www.iditarod.com. As the race approaches, we will send out the Pre-Race Update with information about which TV stations, radio stations, newspapers and websites will be following the race this year. Thank you for you interest and support.

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