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1.2 No musher under 18 years of age will be allowed to compete.

1.3 The Race Marshall may refuse the entry of any musher at the drawing or before the race, if, in the opinion of the judges or marshall, the condition of the driver and/or his/her equipment constitutes a hazard and/or delaying factor to himself/herself or other entrants in the race.

1.4 Entry fee is $440.00 plus an applicable membership fee. There will also be a $100.00 dog-drop deposit refundable if unused, (see Rule 2.3). Entry fee, membership fee, and deposit must be paid at the drawing. Drawing will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2003, 7:00 P.M. at the basement of the Eskimo building.

1.5 There must be at least 4 entrants at the drawing in order to hold a race.

1.6 Race will not be held if the ambient temperature is colder than -30F or -35F wind chill.

2.1 Each team must have a sled or toboggan equipped with a brush bow, operating foot brake, and hook.

2.2 The following items are required on person or in the sled at the starting line:

1. All-weather parka*
2 Tarp or sled bag*
3. Axe*
4. Chain or cable for dropping dogs (5) min. required*
5. Headlight or flashlight*
6. 20 lbs. Dog food
7. Sleeping bag*
8. Four (4) booties per dog
9. Musher's Log Book*

A check of the items will be conducted by the Race Marshall at the start of the race. Asterisked (*) items may be checked at his discretion during the race and shall be checked at the finish line.
*Note - Straw will be provided by KDMA at all checkpoints except Kotzebue.

2.3 Each musher must enter with no more than twelve (12) dogs, and can not drop more than seven (7) dogs. The first three dogs will be shipped back to Kotzebue at the expense of KDMA. However, the musher will be charged $50.00 per dog for the remainder of dogs dropped. The musher must finish with no less than five (5) dogs. Official dog drops are located in Noorvik, Kiana, Selawik, Ambler, and Shungnak.

2.4 Dog food drops that will be shipped by KDMA, must be delivered to the FBX in Kotzebue by April 8, 2003 by 6:00 P.M. Late deliveries will be charged a $150.00 late penalty.

2.5 Each musher of each team starting the race shall be the only musher thereof during race.

3.1 The race will start at 12:30 P.M., April 10, 2003 on the ice in front of the Eskimo Building. It will be a mass start unless otherwise instructed.

3.2 The designated checkpoints will be Noorvik, Kiana, Ambler, Shungnak, Kobuk, Shungnak, Ambler, Selawik, Noorvik and Kotzebue. It is the musher's responsibility to make sure they are checked in at each checkpoint.

3.3 There will be a mandatory 20 hours total layover time at the designated checkpoints of the musher's discretion. The musher will be responsible for signing in and signing out at the designated checkpoints that he/she chooses to layover. KDMA will provide a log book that each musher is required to carry on his/her person throughout the race. Log-in and Log-out times must have the Race Marshalls or designee's signature.

3.4 No musher will be permitted to have outside assistance during the race:

Each musher may have up to five (5) handlers to assist the team out of the starting chute in Kotzebue.
Only the musher is allowed to handle, feed, and care for their dogs. Hot water will be available at each checkpoint for musher's use. It is the musher's responsibility to warn bystanders that their assistance may be cause for disqualification.
Only race officials may assist teams at any point in the race. In the case of a loose team, race officials may stop the team by any means.
If a musher loses a team, he/she must regain the team without outside assistance before it crosses the finish line. Race officials and others at the direction of the Race Marshall and other entrants only may provide assistance in securing a loose team.
No pacing or trailing by snow machines is allowed.
At no time are snow machines allowed to carry dog food for the musher.
Outside assistance is cause for disqualification.
Loose leaders may not be used. Loose dogs are cause for disqualification. Necklines must be used on all dogs.
No whips will be allowed.
3.5 Any musher quitting the race must clear the trail completely until all racing teams have passed.

3.6 Every musher must follow the official course of the race under penalty of time or disqualification, depending upon the severity of the violation. Any musher who takes the B & B short-cut trail from Noorvik to Snyder's camp or the Kobuk lake will be automatically disqualified. (B & B short-cut will be blocked off).

3.7 No force may be used to control dogs in the race, at the starting line, or in the holding area. Beating or abuse of a dog must be distinguished from cuffing or appropriate discipline of a dog. The following kinds of force will be cause for immediate disqualification:

1. Kicking a dog
2. Striking a dog with any rigid object
3. Beating of a dog in any form, including picking up and throwing a dog to the ground.

3.8 Expired dogs will become the property of KDMA. Any prize monies will be held until a necropsy is done. Refer to Rule 3.15 for penalties.

3.9 A musher will be responsible for his/her team in the event any dog in his team becomes aggressive and causes damage to another team. The musher with the team with the aggressive dog will be on official ruling responsible for financial compensation of all medical and transportation expenses to repair all damages caused by his/her animal. If the musher does not comply with this ruling, he/she will be banned from ALL KDMA races in the future. The musher with the damaged dog or dogs will inform KDMA when this ruling has been complied with. Additionally, the Race Marshall, at his/her discretion, can remove an overly aggressive dog or dogs from any team is he/she decides they are a threat or hazardous to other dogs or drivers in the race.

3.10 Dogs may be dropped at the official checkpoints (Noorvik, Kiana, Selawik, Ambler). Anyone dropping dogs at checkpoints must pick them up in Kotzebue by April 14, by 12:00 P.M. (noon). Any dogs not picked up by that time, will become the property of KDMA.

3.11 No musher will be permitted to use any noise-making devices, (jinglers), within two team-lengths in front of or behind another team.

3.12 When one team overtakes another, the team behind shall have the right-of-way upon demand: the musher ahead must stop his/her dogs such that the team behind may easily pass. In the event that the team passed hangs on for three minutes or one mile, he/she shall have the right to demand the trail again; but he/she must not pass for any reason for three minutes or one mile.

3.13 The passing rule, (above), is suspended in "No Man's Land" established for each checkpoint/village putting up a purse, (to be announced at the Musher's meeting after the drawings for positions). "No Man's Land" for Kotzebue is the incoming Kotzebue portage.

3.14 The first part of the lead dog which crosses the finish line will mark the racer's finish time.

3.15 All entrants must finish within 36 hours of the leader in order to be an official finisher.

3.16 Every person entering or driving a team in the race will be required to conduct himself/herself in a sportsmanship-like, fair and honorable manner, under penalty of forfeiture of prize, and racing privileges for up to five (5) years.

4.1 There shall be 2 judges, 1 timekeeper, Race Marshall and a vet present during the race. The Race Marshall may choose as many assistants as necessary. The assistants will be registered with the Race Marshall. All officials of the race will be identified at the drawing. The Race Marshall or designee will be present at the finish line for all official finishers of the race.

4.2 All officials of the race are under the jurisdiction of the Race Marshall.

4.3 Any protests of the race results by a musher must be made by said musher within one hour of said mushers finish. The Race Marshall's decision on the protest shall be final unless appealed. Only mushers may lodge a protest.

4.4 The Race Marshall's decision on a protest may be appealed to the Board of Directors. Such appeal must be made to a board member within one hour of the Race Marshall's decision, upon receipt of $200.00 fee for the appeal by the complainant. The Board of Director's decision will be final. The fee is refundable if the appeal is in the complainant's favor.

AWARDS: Prize money will be given out on Monday, April 14th at 6:00 P.M. at the basement of the Eskimo Building (or at another designated location). PRIZE WINNERS MUST BE PRESENT TO ACCEPT THEIR PRIZES. FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN THE PRIZE BEING FORFEITED. (This rule will be waived if the entrant is involved in a verifiable medical emergency).