21/07/2026
Hello everyone!
A few words (or quite many 😆...) from us, Edmond and Mascha , right in the middle of summer.
Things have been somewhat quiet on our social media channels for a while, which may make it seem as though not much is happening. But nothing could be further from the truth!
After another successful edition of Amundsen and an otherwise always busy winter season for our small club (Jämtlandfjällens Slädhundklubb), which is run entirely by incredibly dedicated volunteers, we always need a few months to catch our breath. A little time for our own lives, our families and our dogs.
Because make no mistake: we are incredibly happy that the evaluation of Amundsen 2026 once again shows that you, the participants, see it as a very well-organised and welcoming long-distance race. But behind the race, there are no companies like there are with some of the largest long-distance races - with employees working throughout the entire year.
Our organisation consists entirely of enthusiastic and hardworking volunteers. They do everything without payment and invest an enormous amount of their own free time. Every single one of them is a fantastic person whom we are extremely proud of and deeply grateful for. We carry them in our hearts, and we hope and believe that you do too! That is why, during the build-up towards and throughout the summer, we need time to recharge our batteries for a new season and a new edition of Amundsen Race. We need to step away for a little while so that we can return with fresh energy and a clear perspective.
But the batteries are now almost 100% charged and ready for the kick-start of the 2026/27 season. And what an Amundsen we have waiting for us next year! We are incredibly happy and grateful that the World Sleddog Association has placed its trust in us by giving us the opportunity to host the Long Distance World Championship within the AR250. What a ride that is going to be! Alongside it, we will of course have the familiar AR180 and AR350, our flagship races from the very beginning.
All classes running over challenging, beautiful and varied trails with plenty of elevation through the stunning nature of Jämtland. Fantastically prepared (again, by volunteers within local snowmobile clubs) and clearly marked trails through forests, alongside lakes and across the mountains, before arriving at intimate checkpoints and being welcomed by the heart-warming smiles of our CP-teams.
Registration for Amundsen Race 2027 opens on Sunday, 4 October. Until then, we will keep you informed about everything you need to know and start awakening that familiar feeling of excitement with throwbacks and photographs taken by all the photographers who, over the years, have helped capture the Amundsen adventure in incredible images. Pictures that instantly bring back every memory. You can almost feel the crisp snow beneath your feet, even while you and your best four-legged friends are still suffering in the continuing summer heat.
In the run-up to 4 October, we will also place some of our sponsors in the spotlight and tell you more about them. Because, honestly, during the momentum and excitement of the race, they do not always receive all the attention they deserve. However, we are extremely aware that without them, there would be no race at all. During the summer, you also have a little more time to read about our sponsors. We therefore sincerely hope that you will do so and that these posts will receive a like or, even better, a friendly comment. Your interest will help us to talk to them, so in effect each like helps you that wishes to run Amundsen.
So, there is plenty to do and plenty to talk about over the coming weeks and months.
We would also like to take this opportunity, right here and now, to give an enormous thank-you to our very own Wibke for everything she does around our social media and, as a result, so much more! Not only during the build-up and around the clock during the race, but throughout the entire year, she stays in contact with mushers, responds to your posts, shares stories and reposts content. The only thing that sometimes slows her down is having to wait for content from us. 😉 And the design? She has renewed it once again in preparation for the new season. Dear, brave, clever and beautiful Wibke: you are fantastic, and we love you! ❤️
We would like to finish with an important first announcement, which is relevant enough to share with you already. We are, of course, aware of the further tightened regulations concerning travel with animals, which came into effect on 1 April. We understand that these regulations, although introduced with the good intention of (amongst others) tackling illegal and irresponsible dog breeding, may create uncertainty for you as mushers working on your traveling plans. It is also not completely clear yet how the legislation will be implemented and enforced in each country. What seems evident, however, is that an exemption from the restriction on travelling with more than five dogs per vehicle will most likely be granted when it can be demonstrated that the dogs are participating in an official competition or training activity.
We would like to support you with this. When registering for Amundsen Race 2027, we can provide, upon request, an official invitation letter confirming your registration and listing the names and microchip numbers of all your dogs. We will provide this completely free of charge, because we want to help you get here in every way we can. More detailed information will follow later. However, in the middle of summer, while you are planning your season and dreaming of snow, we did not want to keep this information from you.
So… are you looking forward to a fantastic challenge?
Do you want to embark on an adventure, just as the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, after whom our race is named, went in search of adventure? Do you want to become part of a community at one of the most internationally focused and welcoming races? Come to Strömsunds kommun . The entire Amundsen Race team is eagerly looking forward to welcoming you!
For now, keep it cool, take good care of yourself, your family and your dogs, and you will hear from us again soon!
With lots of love,
Edmond & Mascha
PS: All relevant information will be continuously updated on amundsenrace.com - your source for everything you need to know. Take a look there!
photo was taken by: Guy Burgerhout - who will join AR2027 again, too.
