Ellen Redington Participated In Jr. Iditarod and Represented Honorary Musher Joe Redington, Sr. at Ceremonial Start of 50th Iditarod (Photo by Julia Redington)

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race has reached the incredible milestone of FIFTY races.  When Joe was working to open the trail, organize volunteers, collect purse money and all the other things he had to do in launching the race, did he ever dream about fifty years later?  Probably not – he was simply too busy getting the race established! 

Joe had two real purposes in mind when he began promoting the race that became Iditarod.  First, the sled dog population in Alaska was shrinking as the snowmachine become popular.  Surely a significant race would spark a growth in the number of sled dogs in Alaska.  Second, both Joe and his wife Vi wanted the Iditarod Trail to be included in the National Historic Trail Registry.  Surely a race that traveled part of the old trail that was used to supply mining camps in the interior would draw attention and create interest in the trail. 

Building the Trail on 4th Avenue for 50th Iditarod (Photo Credit Erin Montgomery)

Fifty years later, the sled dog population of Alaska is no longer shrinking.  Since 1973, the interest in mushing has ballooned and the number of quality kennels run by conscientious mushers has expanded.  Chas St. George of Iditarod says, “The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race has since grown into the premiere sporting event in the state, and the largest sled dog race in the world with a purse of $500,000 along with standards of dog care excellence through research that have benefited all dogs on the planet!”

The vision Joe and Vi held for the Iditarod Trail was realized in 1978.  The Iditarod Trail was one of the first four trails to receive the distinction of being named to the National Historic Trail registry.  The Iditarod Trail stands in the company of the Oregon Trail, Mormon Pioneer Trail and the Lewis and Clark Trail to name only a few of the 19 trails distinguished as National Historic Trails.   

Teams File Into Campbell Airstrip After 11 Mile Ceremonial Run to Campbell Airstrip (Photo Credit Julia Redington)

Initially Joe promoted a race that would go out to the old gold mining town of Iditarod then return.  Does that sound familiar?  That was the destination of the shortened 2021 Gold Trial Loop.  Back when Joe talked about Iditarod as the destination, people only asked where it was and showed very little interest in running to Iditarod and back.  That changed when Nome was chosen as the destination.  Thirty-four mushers signed up for the first race in 1973.  It’s likely that Iditarod received its name from the “initial” destination.

While Joe didn’t have time to work with the teenage mushers to establish the Jr. Iditarod, he saw the value of a race for young mushers.  What he told them when they shard their idea with him was , “Go for it!”  That they did.  With the help of parents, local mushers and mushing enthusiasts, the Jr. Iditarod was established in 1978.  With Iditarod Joe revitalized sled dogs and mushing in Alaska.  With encouraging the kids to push for a race of their own he helped insure the future of the sport of mushing.

Joe Redington, Sr., known as the Father of Iditarod, was selected to be the honorary musher for the 50th Iditarod.  Joe who passed away in 1999 was represented by his great granddaughter, Ellen Redington.  Ellen, age 15, is the daughter of Ray and Julia (Flodin) Redington.  She is a fourth generation musher and has been around sled dogs all her life.  As a child she raced small teams and most recently is an annual competitor in the Willow Jr. 100 and the Jr. Iditarod. 

Ellen Redington, Representing Honorary Musher Joe Redington, Sr. Rides Tag Sled of Jr. Iditarod Champion Emily Robinson with Stanley Robinson in the Basket (Photo by Julia Redington)

Ellen rode the tag sled of 2022 Jr. Iditarod Champion, Emily Robinson.  Choosing to stand on the runners of the tag sled rather than sit in the basket seems very Joe like.  It is tradition that the Jr iditarod Champion transport the Honorary Musher for the Ceremonial start.  Emily, from Nenana claimed Jr. Iditarod gold by 6 seconds over Hannah Wappett.  Ellen place 5th.  The Jr. Iditarod was moved to the Denali Highway from the usual Yentna Station Roadhouse route due to overflow.  The 45th Jr. Iditarod race was run as a stage race.

Joe had to be smiling today as the 50th Iditarod commenced in downtown Anchorage.  Knowing the future of the sport is in good hands with accomplished young mushers like Ellen and Emily, had to put a twinkle in his eye and surely brought joy to his heart.

Alaska’s great balladeer, Hobo Jim, wrote “Redington’s Run” to honor the Father of the Iditarod.  The chorus of “Redington’s Run” goes like this –

Here’s to Joe and off we go in the land of the midnight sun.

They call this race the Iditarod Trail,

But to me it’s Redington’s Run.

In my heart it’s Redington’s Run.