Over 40 kids raced around two loops carved into Nome’s Small Boat Harbor as over a hundred spectators looked on. Local organizations and residents all chipped in to build out the race track.
Colton West, served as race marshal and said what makes the youth race special is how it bridges generations of snowmachine racers.
“The purpose of it is just to keep our youth racing. You know, it’s one of those things where if we don’t have racers, our future of Nome-Golovin and Cannonball isn’t gonna be around,” said West.
This year’s overall fastest was Exer Fullwood, who raced in the 200 stock class. The 8-year-old already has 4 years of experience racing. “I wanted to compete in this race because I just always have fun racing,” Exer said while fighting back a wide smile.
His father, Joseph Fullwood, said races like the Nome Youth Race teach kids skills they’ll draw on later in life.
In the future, West hopes to add more youth races to the calendar. He was inspired by the high turnout, with some kids riding in from Kotzebue, 180 miles to the north for the race.
