Sled-dog races, foot races and other sports have a far-north tinge.
JANUARY
Alcan 200 International Snowmachine Race -- Haines.
FEBRUARY
State Winter Carnival -- Willow.
Fireworks, outhouse race, sled-dog races, chain saw competition, fishing and arts and crafts.
Yukon Quest -- Fairbanks.
Hard sled-dog race to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, starts in downtown Fairbanks. (In 2005 it starts in Whitehorse and ends in Fairbanks.)
Iron Dog Snowmachine Race -- Fairbanks.
2,000-mile snowmobile race starts in Fairbanks and passes through Nome and Big Lake on its way to Wasilla.
Fur Rendezvous Festival -- Anchorage.
Sled dog races, carnival, art exhibits, fur auction, food.
Iditarod Days Festival -- Wasilla.
Cross-country ski races, snowshoe softball, ice fishing, arts and crafts and various other activities leading up to the Iditarod restart.
MARCH
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race -- Anchorage, Wasilla to Nome.
Race has ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage and goes to Eagle River on March 6. The next day, the official start occurs in Wasilla. Parties and contests in Nome until the winner arrives.
Tour of Anchorage -- Anchorage.
Cross-country ski marathon.
Limited North American Championship Sled Dog Race -- Fairbanks.
Open North American Championship Sled Dog Race -- Fairbanks.
Pillar Mountain Golf Classic -- Kodiak.
Tournament to drive a golf ball up Pillar Mountain in the fewest strokes.
APRIL
International Curling Bonspiel -- Fairbanks.
Arctic Man Ski and Sno-Go Classic -- Paxson.
Skiers and machines combine in breakneck runs down a mountain.
Alyeska Resort Spring Carnival and Slush Cup -- Girdwood.
Resort town south of Anchorage begins its farewell to the ski season.
Native Youth Olympics -- Anchorage.
Youths from around the state compete in traditional games at the University of Alaska Anchorage.
MAY
Koniag's Kodiak Crab Festival -- Kodiak.
Food and games, including several foot races, celebrating the king crab.
Kachemak Bay Kayak Fest - Homer.
Ten days of kayaking and related events, seminars, demonstrations and workshops for all ages and skill levels.
JUNE
Alaska Baseball League -- All month -- Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kenai, Palmer.
College players come to Alaska from Lower 48 schools to match skills in a competitive league.
Kachemak Bay Kayak Fest -- Homer.
Ten days of kayaking and related events, seminars, demonstrations and workshops for all ages and skill levels.
Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon -- Anchorage.
Runners come from around the world.
Kluane-Chilkat Bike Race -- Haines.
Summer solstice -- Statewide.
Any town worth its salt has a festival, concert or race this weekend as the days reach their longest. Solstice is at 4:57 p.m. Alaska time.
Midnight Sun Baseball Game -- Fairbanks.
The 99th annual Midnight Sun game features the Fairbanks Gold Panners. Play begins at 10:30 p.m.
Yukon 800 Boat Race -- Fairbanks.
Down the Chena and Tanana rivers to the Yukon and back. Race starts at Pike's Landing.
JULY
Alaska Baseball League -- All month -- Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kenai, Palmer.
College players come to Alaska from Lower 48 schools to match skills in a competitive league.
Mount Marathon race -- Seward.
Racers go up a 3,022-foot mountain and back down.
Bear Paw Festival -- Eagle River.
Carnival, art exhibits, food, parade, races.
Golden Days -- Fairbanks.
Parade, arts, music, food to honor Fairbanks' century of gold.
World Eskimo-Indian Olympics -- Fairbanks.
Competitors from arctic lands compete in traditional games.
AUGUST
None listed.
SEPTEMBER
None listed.
OCTOBER
Hockey Classic -- Anchorage.
Four college teams meet in a tournament at Sullivan Arena.
NOVEMBER
Top of the World Classic -- Fairbanks.
Basketball tournament features college men's teams from around the country.
Great Alaska Shootout -- Anchorage.
Basketball tournament features college men's and women's teams from around the country.
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