With today, March 8th, being International Women’s Day, it’s fitting to remember and salute the great women of Iditarod and their accomplishments. From the first woman to finish Iditarod Mary Shields (1974) to two time Red Lantern recipient Cindy Abbott (2015 & 2017) there are so many strong women mushers who serve as role models for girls and women. Lolly Medley, Pam Flowers, Libby Riddles, Susan Butcher, DeeDee Jonrowe, Aliy Zirkle are only a few of the past Iditarod legends that have inspired others.
Eleven women started the 2025 Iditarod. Charmayne Morisson and Brenda Mackey have scratched. Veteran Paige Drobny leads other veterans Mille Porsild, Michelle Phillips, Anna Berington, Gabe Dunham and Rookies Emily Ford, Samantha LaLonde, Jenny Roddewig and Sydnie Bahl as they make their way down the Yukon River.
The young woman, Emily Robinson, age 17, who has just captured her fourth Jr. Iditarod Championship is inspiring others as she works hard to succeed in the challenging world of mushing where men and women compete together. Celebrate these women and their outstanding achievements!
Let’s start back in Galena, mile 369 of the 1128 mile trail for 2025. Ebbe Pedersen, Justin Olnes, Connor McMahon, Bryce Mumford and Calvin Daugherty all rookies, are completing their 24 hour plus differential layover. Reaching Galena puts about 1/3 of the trail in the rearview mirror. Quince Mountain has yet to settle in for his 24 hour rest and is currently on the trail to Nulato.
Ebbe will be the first to depart in the early afternoon. A couple hours later, Justin, Connor, Bryce, and Calvin will depart leaving Quince to complete his long rest. Quince will be eligible to depart very early tomorrow morning, just before 01:00. Connor McMahon is the only musher with a full line of dogs.
Moving to Nulato at mile 420, rookies Samantha LaLonde, Jenny Roddewig, Keaton Loebrich, Dane Baker and Sydnie Bahl are pampering their canine athletes with gourmet meals, massages and light exercise while serving their long rest as does everyone on the long rest. Samantha and Jenny will be eligible to leave late Saturday afternoon. Keaton, Dane and Sydnie will continue their trek down the Yukon river in the early hours of Sunday.
Nicolas Petit, Anna Berington and rookie Emily Ford are completing their 24-hour in Kaltag – southbound (1). Petit will get back on the trail yet this morning. Ford will depart about suppertime. Anna will be released Sunday at 03:00. Kaltag South (1) is at mile 456, 40% of the 1128 miles.
As soon as everyone has completed the long layover, the picture of who’s in what place and who’s in the lead will come into focus. Now, as you watch the tracker, you’ll see a giant game of leapfrog up front. Mushers will decide to rest and others will pass but will need to rest and then be passed.
The GCI Dorothy G. Page Halfway Award will be presented at Galena – south (1). As of yet, teams are running very deliberate run/rest schedules responding to the needs of the athletes and trail conditions. They are maintaining position – a spot near the front to strike from when the real racing begins and that won’t be for many miles yet.
Hey teachers, take a look at the photo below. Share it with your students – what mandatory equipment is visible – What is the sled made of – Use the thermometer to compare Fahrenheit readings to Celsius readings – study the brake and drag pad mechanisms – what style sled is this. Are there any other lessons this photo might initiate?
There are three scratches to share that were announced last evening. Veteran Jeff Deeter scratched in Galena an option he’d been considering since Tanana and taking his 24-hour. The Quest 550 champion said the sugary snow conditions challenged his dogs. Rookie Mike Parker, running Jim Lanier’s Northern Whites scratched in the best interest of his team. Rookie Daniel Klein from Wisconsin, behind a team of Raymie Redington’s Alaskan Huskies, scratched as required by rule 42. The number of mushers remaining on the trail is 28.
