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The snow hasn't even fallen yet, but organizers already are busy planning the 2010 Tustumena 200 Sled Dog Race -- the Kenai Peninsula's only Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race qualifier.

"Things are shaping up and coming together well," said Tami Murray, executive director of the T-200.

For years the T-200 has been billed as the toughest 200 miles in Alaska, but with no snow down, Murray said it is too early to speculate on where the trail will run. However, it is hoped that it can begin in Kasilof, on the east side of the Sterling Highway, roughly a few tenths of a mile south of North Cohoe Loop.

"This location was planned last season," Murray said, but minimal snow in Kasilof forced organizers at the last minute to use Clam Gulch as the start, middle and finish line for the race.

Like last season's race, Murray said they will continue to send Junior T racers out before the T-100 and T-200 racers, but since the young mushers finish so much earlier than the others, there will be changes made for when they get their awards.

"We'll be providing a separate banquet for the junior mushers shortly after their race, rather than waiting until Monday evening," Murray said. "It will help those coming from out of town that need to get back for school. They'll now have their own breakfast banquet at Rocky's in Kasilof on Sunday, but still be recognized at the Monday banquet."

After a slight dip in the race purse last year, the T-200 should again be back to offering a $25,000 purse this season, according to Murray.

"That's our goal, and barring something unforeseen, it's looking really good," she said.

The purse will be achieved through sponsorship and other sources of revenue, and this season the race will be attempting a new way to raise money.

"We're working on holding a cross-country skiing fundraiser at Tsalteshi Trails, with the proceeds being split between the T-200, the Alaska's Extended-Life Animal Sanctuary in Nikiski and the Tsalteshi Trails Association," Murray said.

Details of the event have not been finalized, but the function is tentatively planned for Dec. 19. There will be a prize raffle held in conjunction. Tickets will go on sale soon, and the drawing to determine the winner will be during the skiing event.

"We hope it is a success," Murray said. "We'd like to use the funds generated from it to purchase a new snowmachine for putting in the T-200 race trail and pulling the trail groomer."

Murray said the T-200 is also working with the Peninsula Sled Dog Racing Association to hold another fundraiser later in the year.

"Possibly a skijoring event on the trails behind the Soldotna airport sometime in February," she said.

Murray said the T-200 organizers are also attempting to better publicize the event. As a first step, they decided last month to join the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce.

"We're really excited about joining them," Murray said. "We'll be able to use some of their resources to network and better promote the T-200. We want to get people from all over to come to the Kenai Peninsula for a fun winter weekend outing."

This Thursday, the T-200 board will meet at 7 p.m. at Tustumena Elementary School to continue preparations for putting on the race.

"This will be a general meeting, but people interested in volunteering can come out and meet us and start getting involved," Murray said.

She said there's no time like the present to volunteer, but added that in most years, the closer the date gets to the start of the race, the more volunteers show up.

For more information on the T-200, visit the race's Web site at www.tustumena200.com.

Joseph Robertia can be reached at joseph.robertia@peninsulaclarion.com.