With eighty-five mushers running in Iditarod XLIV, a very large crowd was on hand for the Thursday evening Musher Banquet at the Dena‘ina Center in Anchorage. Mushers, handlers, sponsors, friends, family and fans enjoyed the gala celebration. A rough estimate tells me there were at least two-thousand on hand, give or take a handful.
First musher to select a bib number from the traditional mukluk was Allan Moore. Moore has run eight previous Iditarod races and is a Yukon Quest champion. He drew bib number five. Eighty-five mushers followed Moore across the stage. After reaching into the celebrated mukluk, the mushers each stepped to the microphone to thank the people who’ve made it possible for them to race to Nome.
It took some time for all the mushers to cross the stage and many of the final mushers to draw actually thanked the folks who stayed to cheer for them. Final musher to draw for starting position was Ken Anderson who’ll leave in 81st position.
The bookends of Iditarod XLIV will be veterans Scott Janssen (bib #2) and Martin Koenig (bib #86). Scott who lives in Anchorage and is a funeral director by trade has made Nome twice in his five attempts. Martin who calls Seeley Lake, Montana home earned his veteran status in 2008 covering the Iditarod Trail in 14 days, 16 hours and 10 minutes. By trade, Martin is a machinist. After his first Iditarod he joined the sprint racing scene. Realizing that he missed traveling long distances and camping with his dogs, he’s returned to the Iditarod.
The order for drawing bib numbers is fairly random. The mushers who have their papers and payment in on musher sign-up day in June are eligible for the first draw. Their names are placed in a drawing then drawn out to determine the order the mushers will draw their bib numbers. In days gone by, mushers would actually camp out at Iditarod Headquarters so they could be the first to sign up and thus the first to select their bib number. It’s a bit different these days with the double draw.
Bib #1 will be worn by Honorary Musher, Joanne Potts. The Iditarod Trail Committee chooses an honoree annually. Potts has been involved with Iditarod for forty years. At first she was a race volunteer. A few years later, she accepted a paid position in the Iditarod Office, Over the years, she’s worn many hats for the Iditarod organization and currently has the official title of Assistant to the Race Director. When Potts was called to the banquet podium for the honor, ITC Board Member and musher, Aaron Burmeister held Bib #1 for Joanne. As he placed it over her head he said, “Over the years you’ve helped many of us with our bibs, now I’m honored to help you with yours.” Joanne will ride the distance of the Ceremonial Start with Jr. Iditarod Champion Kevin Harper. Read about the many contributions Potts has made to Iditarod as well as some stories shared by mushers in the article Joanne Potts – Iditarod’s 2016 Honorary Musher.
When Ray Redington Jr. came to the podium to draw his bib number, he said he was very envious of Kevin Harper. He explained, Kevin is taking taking Joanne in his sled. Out of admiration and respect for Joanne, Ray said he’s be honored to have Joanne riding in his sled. From that standing ovation of the crowd, it’s very clear that any of the mushers would be honored to have her ride in their sled.
Hobo Jim opened the festive banquet with a set of his Alaskan based ballads. When he strummed the first chords of the Iditarod Trail song, everyone took notice. Iditarod fans know the song and joined in for all the verses as well as the chorus – I did, I did, I did the Iditarod Trail. Hobo played another crowd favorite, Wild & Free. Brent Sass, who has named his kennel, Wild and Free, came toward the stage. There’s rumor that on a previous occasion Sass has joined Hobo for the song. No such luck last night.
The Joe Redington Founder’s Award was presented to Veterinarian Terry Adkins. Adkins was the sole veterinarian for the first race in 1973. He says he had two hours to check forty-teams in that first race. It was his initial work that has laid the foundation for the incredible veterinary team that cares for the canine athletes today. Over the years, there have been improvements across the board for dogs and mushers. Interviewed by the Great Falls Tribune, Adkins said that nutrition might be one of the most visible – “in the early years of the race, a musher might have a moose quarter on the sled for use as dog food.” Today it’s nutritional kibble with high nutrient and vitamin content, specially prepared snacks and frozen meats. Presenting the award to Adkins was John Norman, President of the Iditarod Trail Race Foundation.
The next big event is the Ceremonial Start scheduled for 10:00 at 4th Avenue and “D” Street in downtown Anchorage. Anchorage street crews have stock piled snow since November. There are signs along the city streets announcing no parking from Friday evening at 4:00. Beginning a couple hours later, 4th Avenue and cross streets will be closed to auto traffic so city crews can haul snow in to create the ceremonial trail.
