Dear Boys and Girls,

Over the weekend, lots of sled dogs and nine teen mushers are competing in the Jr. Iditarod.  What’s different?  It’s a shorter race.  The mushers, age 14 – 17, race 75 miles from Knik Lake to Yentna Station.  They camp OUTSIDE with their dogs overnight, at least staying the required 10 hours.  They then race back to the finish line!

Honorary Mushers and 2020 Jr. Iditarod Contestants

What is the same as the main Iditarod?  Excited dogs, lots of work to care for them, cold, snow, and adventure!  They must drive their teams along the trail, stopping to give the dogs snacks and rest, then taking care of the dogs and themselves all night outside.  We dogs sleep, but sometimes the teens stay up talking around the campfire (built on snow) really late.  

You can check out the details on http://jriditarod.com.  Click on the Mushers link to learn about the teens.  You can also watch their progress on the Race Standings link.

Yentna Station Checkpoint where the young mushers and their dogs will sleep outside on February 29

These young mushers might someday race in the Iditarod!  

Until next time, this is your canine reporter,

Gypsy