The biggest problem here is the crowds, which can unnerve inexperienced dogs. Don't go the single-sled route without checking first with race officials because the sled has to be a certain minimum size. A reliable leader is essential here to keep the team headed in the right direction. The trail runs south in the center of Cordova Avenue for about 12 blocks, then drops down a half-block hill to Mulcahy Stadium, home to Alaska League baseball in the summer. The trail is usually in good shape in the greenbelts, running through the woods and occasionally through culverts under major streets.
Inexperienced leaders can balk at the culverts.
The trail then winds through the woods past Alaska Pacific University. After the lake, the trail heads south under an underpass, past the new Alaska Native Medical Center, and then flies over Tudor Road on a big curved million-dollar pedestrian overpass. You'll run east along the south side of five-lane Tudor Road for part of a mile. Watch for a couple of sharp turns as the trail leaves the road to work back south and east into the woods and onto the Tozier Track system of dog trails in the huge undeveloped area called Centennial Park. Watch for one nasty downhill right-hand switch back about three miles after entering the base.