Photos: Kuskokwim 300 sled dog race begins in Bethel

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Photo by Mitchell Forbes Pete Kaiser starts the 2016 Kuskokwim 300 in Bethel, Alaska. Kaiser grew up in Bethel and was the 2015 Kuskokwim 300 champion.

BETHEL — When the famed Kuskokwim 300 sled dog race kicks off Friday evening on the frozen river in front of town, a field of 25 mushers including four Mackeys, four race first-timers and a like number of Iditarod and Yukon Quest champions can expect a mostly decent if icy trail.

But they are ready for about anything.

In this often fast and ultra-competitive race, the weather can turn gnarly fast, young mushers can pull off upsets and no one can count on an easy ride.

It's the 37th year of the Kusko 300, set up to encourage and reward mushing in Western Alaska and especially the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, said Myron Angstman, head of the Kuskokwim 300 Race Committee.

Read more: Field of 25 mushers prepares for another intense Kuskokwim 300

Read more: Running with the big dogs, Nome rookie goes up against the best at Kusko 300