CALUMET — Organizers of the annual CopperDog competition have announced several changes to the classic mushing event that starts in Calumet.

“We were going to wait until early September to make this post,” CopperDog organizers began in an announcement posted Tuesday. “But because many mushers are already planning things for the coming season, making this public now is the right thing to do … None of these changes are coming from left field.”

First, the race will begin on Main Street in Calumet as in past years but will now finish at the Village of Laurium’s George Gipp Recreation Area.

The 2026 CopperDog is scheduled to start Friday, Feb. 27, and finish Sunday, March 1.

The CopperPull, a weight-pull competition, will also be in Laurium and feature dog teams from across the Midwest.

The CD150 and CD80 races will be combined into one race with a “much bigger field and a much bigger purse.” The two separate challenges will become the CD120, with a distance of about 122 miles.

“The new race hopes to embrace a mix of stage- and distance-mushers for some very fun and exciting competition over three very distinct legs. No Brockway Mountain for 2026,” the announcement read.

Another adjustment to the event includes the CopperDash, which will become a “real kids’ race.” The CopperDash will begin in Copper City and end in Laurium, for a distance of about 4.5 miles.

CopperDog’s organizers made sure to address the prize money concerns of participants.

“Specific to the purse, the CD120, CD30 and CD15 will all see an increase on the money being paid out, with the last paying-place of each race making at least their registration fee back.”

Finally, the organization announced their name change.

“Starting now, the ‘CopperDog 150’ will transition to just CopperDog and all race names will reflect the distance being run. Now that the cat is out of the bag, we will be able to share more details going forward to make sure you have all the information you need to make the best decision for you and your kennel.”

These changes come after a spring survey of more than 70 mushers who had participated in the CopperDog over the years.

The CopperDog first began in 2009 and has since become a spring tradition in the Keweenaw. Mushers from around the world come to the U.P. to race in the event, with more than 300 dogs participating each year.

Along with their several races, CopperDog offers education about the history of sled dog racing. Through classroom programs, volunteer training, “Meet the Dogs” events and free sled dog rides, CopperDog volunteers share their knowledge of the sport.

To join CopperDog’s volunteer board, go to copperdog.org/about.