PINEDALE — Amid a battle with brain cancer, professional musher Alix Crittenden is back on the runners for the 30th Annual Pedigree Stage Stop, a welcome sight for Sublette County residents. The international dog sled race began with a ceremonial start in Jackson’s Town Square on Friday, January 31. Seventeen mushers from the United States, Canada and Germany are vying for their share of a $200,000 purse, their standings changing nearly every day as they drive their teams of up to 16 dogs over U.S. Forest Service trails as formidable as they are breathtaking through the iconic Wind River and Wyoming Mountain Ranges.

Only 12 mushers have earned the title of Stage Stop Champion in the race’s 30 years. Sublette County residents are no doubt waiting with bated breath to see if Crittenden becomes lucky number 13 in 2025.

The local favorite was forced to drop out just days before the race began last year, following a seizure which led to the discovery of a tumor and a diagnosis of cancer. After undergoing brain surgery, Crittenden spent the 29th Annual Stage Stop cheering on her friend and dog handler, Jess Moore. Moore led the team of dogs to an admirable third place overall finish in 2024, with a time of 14 hours, 53 minutes and 7 seconds.

In 2023, Crittenden and her team of dogs from Jackson Hole Iditarod Sled Dog Tours finished the Pedigree Stage Stop Race in second place, completing the seven stages in 16 hours, 2 minutes and 27 seconds.

As of press time on Wednesday, Crittenden was in fifth place overall, with four stages left to run in Kemmerer, Lander and Dubois. She finished the first of the seven stages, at the Upper Green River Trailhead in 2:29:03 on Saturday, February 1. Crittenden crossed the finish line minutes after Stéphane Roy who took second place with a time of 2:25:11 and five-time Stage Stop champion Anny Malo, who took first place with a time of 2:19:03.

In Big Piney, Crittenden completed the 30.5-mile out-and-back trail on February 3 in 2:09:33, securing fourth place for the day. On the second day in Big Piney/Marbleton, Crittenden and her team finished in ninth place with a time of 2:17:35.

The running of the 30th Annual Pedigree Stage Stop continues today with Stage Five getting underway at 9 a.m. in Lander. For the latest standings, follow Pedigree Stage Stop Race on Facebook.