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As the Tustumena 200 Sled Dog Race prepares for its 25th anniversary, it is facing a changing of the guard in regard to some long-time organizers, and while this will undeniably affect the race to some degree, remaining board members and officers are moving forward in the hope of putting on the best race ever.

"We're going to have a race and I think it's going to be a good one," said David Wartinbee, a T-200 board member who has also been involved with the race for the past 12 years.

Problems began in spring, when the T-200 race organization held elections, and found that several participants -- particularly recent past and present officers -- were ready to relinquish their titles, but few people were eager to take on all the responsibility that would come with taking their places.

"These past presidents and other people busted their butts. A lot of people didn't see it all, but we were asking so much of them, and they became overworked and burned out," he said.

Adding to the dilemma, Paul Gebhardt, who has served as the race marshal for the past two years, in addition to taking on responsibility for grooming portions of the trail for several years, said he has also put in his time, but he's ready to step down.

"It just takes too much time away from my own training and racing. I've been shorting myself, but I'd like to win Iditarod and I'm not getting any younger, so I need to focus on my own dogs," he said.

The T-200 also suffered a third hit, when the race's major sponsor -- Kenai Chrysler Center -- pulled out last season, taking with them a large share of the $25,000 purse that the T-200 has offered annually for several years.

Despite these numerous challenges, Wartinbee said plans are in place to overcome each of them.

"We've hired an executive director -- a paid person, similar to what the Iditarod has -- who will do a lot of the jobs that the president has done in the past," he said.

This executive director, Tami Murray, is a Sterling resident who has volunteered with the Iditarod, raised funds for local organizations such as the Kenai River Professional Guides Association and the Kenai Watershed Forum, and worked for more than 25 years as a television producer.

"I'm very excited about the position. I love the sport of mushing and have always thought the T-200 was a great community race and I wanted to see it keep on going. I'm hoping to bring a little more organization and sponsorship to the race, which is what I do by trade, since producing is basically getting sponsors," she said.

Since Murray also will be organizing most aspects of the T-200's operation, anyone interested in volunteering for this year's race can begin contacting her at 907-394-1318.

Wartinbee said a new race marshal has also been found, and he's not unfamiliar with dog mushing.

"Jon Van Zyle has agreed to be our race marshal," he said.

Van Zyle has been the official artist of the Iditarod for several years, and he raced in the event in 1976 and 1979. He has served as a race marshal in numerous other races over the years, as well.

Wartinbee said the T-200 will also have a trail that would be on par with what mushers have experienced, and come to expect, over the years. He said organizers are currently working with the Caribou Hills Cabin Hoppers and other local snowmachiners and dog mushers who regularly ride and train in the area, to utilize their knowledge, time and skills.

"This race has always come about because of volunteers, but we're hoping to be better about helping out these people with gas and other expenses," Wartinee said.

And, as to the purse, Wartinbee said there is money in the bank, but T-200 organizers won't announce the exact amount until a little later in the year.

"Right now we have a modest amount, but enough of a purse to get people to drive down from other parts of the state. We want to wait a few months before we announce an amount though, because if we announce it, it will be guaranteed," he said.

The silver anniversary of the T-200 is scheduled to start on Jan. 24, 2009. Wartinbee said the simultaneous T-100 and Jr. T races are planned, but details are still being worked out regarding where a ceremonial start would occur, if one occurs at all.

"We still have a few things to work through," he said.

Mitch Seavey, a Sterling musher and the 2004 Iditarod champion and the 2008 All-Alaska Sweepstakes champion, said he is happy T-200 organizers decided not to cancel the race this year.

"It's been years since I ran it to win it, but I like to run the race for training purposes, taking a B-team to look for a last few dogs to make the Iditarod team," he said.

With that as his intention, Seavey said he hopes the race will continue to operate as it has in recent years.

"For me, first and foremost is that there is a good, safe trail for the dogs, that is also well-marked. That's what is important. I'd like to see the purse continue at the level is has too, but I'd still rather see the race happen in some fashion even without the purse being what it's been," he said.

Wartinbee said it was musher's comments, such as that, that drove organizers to continue with the race despite the obstacles.

"Mushers said as long as it's well run, they'll come, and we've got a good reputation and a reason to move forward, so we will, just with some new faces and new blood," he said.