What is the Atta Boy 300?

The Atta Boy 300 Oregon World Cup Race for Vision is a stage race that is run in seven timed legs on seven consecutive days.  The total mileage of the seven stages is 300 miles.  The race is part of the World Cup racing circuit where mushers acquire points based on their finishes in sanctioned World Cup races.  The overall Champion of the World Cup circuit is computed at the end of each year by adding the points accumulated by each musher.  The International Federation of Sleddog Sports (IFSS) oversees the World Cup standings.

The Atta Boy 300 is the second major stage race to be started in the western United States.  The first stage race run in the west is the Pedigree International Rocky Mountain Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IRMSSSDR), which has run in Wyoming in late January and early February of each year for the last seven years.  Frank Teasley, founder of the IRMSSSDR, served as a consultant to the organizers of the Atta Boy 300 and allowed for the adoption of IRMSSSDR rules in the Atta Boy 300 in order to begin the process of standardization of stage racing in the western U.S.  The realization of the Atta Boy 300 has created an excellent set of World Cup races that will attract more mushers to both events.

Background

The Atta Boy 300 is the dream of race founder Jerry Scdoris.  Jerry has been working toward the creation of a world-class sled dog race for many years.  As he gathered more and more support, American Nutrition, the makers of Atta Boy dog food, became interested in becoming involved.  However, Atta Boy dog food and American Nutrition wanted to serve a purpose over an above simply sponsoring a dog sled race for the sake of sponsoring a dog sled race.  Another message that could be promoted by the race was needed.  Rachel Scdoris, Jerry's 16-year-old daughter, became the inspiration for such a message.  

Rachel is legally blind, yet she already has an impressive list of sled dog race finishes as well as a other athletic awards.  She has never let her vision disorder prevent her from doing what she has wanted to do.  As a result, Rachel was named as the spokesperson for the Atta Boy 300, and the race became known as the "Race for Vision" to signify Rachel's accomplishments, and call attention to the potential that all persons with "disabilities" have to succeed in all aspects of life.  With this important message as a part of the race, American Nutrition donated the money needed to generate a $50,000.00 race purse, and the Atta Boy 300 Oregon World Cup Race for Vision was born.  

In addition to creating a world-class sled dog race and promoting awareness of the accomplishments of persons with disabilities, the race organizers also had a third mission in mind.  The race was designed and organized in a way that would provide an economic stimulus to the communities of central Oregon during an economically slow time of the year.

The First Race

The inaugural running of the race took place January 5-13 in and around the communities of Bend, Sisters, Prineville, Sunriver, and La Pine in central Oregon.  27 mushers started the race, of which 25 successfully competed all seven stages of the race.  

By all accounts, the race was a huge success.  Mushers were very happy with the quality of the trails, the beautiful scenery, and the hospitality and enthusiasm of the people of central Oregon.  The race's message in support of disabled persons was well presented, especially by Rachel Scdoris, who showed tremendous stamina and determination to finish the race.  The people and communities of central Oregon were very excited about the race and opened their homes and schools to the mushers as they came through.  After just one running, the race is already recognized to be a world-class event that attracts world-class mushers and their teams and runs through beautiful country on superior trails.

The phenomenal success of the first running of the race ensure that the Atta Boy 300 will continue to grow and improve in the near future.

© 2002 Ultimate Iditarod, Snowcrest Racing Sled Dogs, Seavey's Iditarod Racing Team
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