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MOHAWK -- They were racing against time...and rising temperatures.  Still, all of the teams completed the final leg of the first-ever Copper Dog 150 on Sunday.

The sun was shining as the first team crossed the Mohawk finish line just before noon.

The crowd was smaller than Friday night's start, but by no means, less excited.

"It was the first sled dog race I’ve attended and I’m counting the days until next year,” said Pam Hecht.  “It was awesome.  Everyone should experience it."

With unseasonably warm weather threatening throughout the three-day race, organizers made a last minute decision Saturday night to start the final leg an hour earlier and shorten it by about 10 miles.

"The temperature was a concern,” said race director Brian Tiura.  “We wanted to stop the race closer to lunchtime before the heat of the day, and we also had rapidly deteriorating trail conditions just south of Mohawk.  It was lots of rocks and gravel and it just wasn't worth it to take them over that."

Ken Josefson of Chatham came in first place finishing in just over 11 hours, 39 minutes.  As he collected his prize at the award banquet held Sunday afternoon, he promised to be back next year.

"The Copper Country has some of the most beautiful scenery in the U.P.,” said Josefson.  “It's a good spot for a dog race; it just needs somemore snow, that's all."

Even with the warm weather, everyone seemed to agree the first Copper Dog 150 was a success.  Organizers say they're already planning next year's race, and they'll spend extra time figuring out trail alternatives to ensure that the teams start and finish in downtown Calumet.