Latest Videos : :
Latest Insider 2.0 Videos : :
Exclusive Race Coverage : :
The Iditarod Trail Committee’s (ITC) Board of Directors is proud to announce Dr. Stuart Nelson as the Honorary Musher for the 53rd Running of The Last Great Race®. Dr. Stuart Nelson sadly passed away in September 2024. Nelson’s long standing dedication to the Iditarod, which spanned 38 years, has left an indelible mark …
Jonathan Hayes is a marine veteran, minister, middle school teacher, and a complete dog-man. Living with his family in Maine, he has been working to preserve the line of Seppala Siberian huskies that have had ties to the area ever since Leonard Seppala, himself, brought Togo to Maine. Seppala was a renowned dog musher …
When Wild Bill Shannon awaited the arrival of the train from Seward bearing the diphtheria anti-toxin, he didn’t need a thermometer to know that he’d be taking off from Nenana in frigid temperatures. He could feel it with every breath. Seventy years later, to the date – January 27th of 1995, mushers waited in Nenana …
After filling out the rigorous Teacher on the Trail application, the following teachers were selected by the Iditarod Education Committee as our finalists. Kari Wright is a 3rd Grade teacher from Osage, IA. Kari has been using the Iditarod in the classroom since 2006 when she read an article about the race. “Whatever the age, …
As they waited for news that diphtheria anti-toxin had been located, Nome’s emergency Board of Health was creating a plan to get the much needed serum from the railroad terminus in Nenana to the desperate people of Nome. While aviation enthusiasts were evaluating the available “airships” and looking for a pilot, the “better to be …
This year’s theme, “Under the Burled Arch in Nome” brought us many fabulous Trail Mail Art Contest entries. Thanks to everyone who participated. Teagan R., age 12, of Omaha, Nebraska has been selected as the artist for the 2025 Trail Mail envelopes. Teagan’s design was selected by Jon and Jona Van Zyle to be printed …
With no roads, no trains and a frozen Bering Sea, shipping options were limited back in 1925 when Nome desperately needed diphtheria anti-toxin. Ground transport by experienced mail carriers and their trusted dog teams would be the tried and true method but Aviation enthusiasts were quick to suggest airmail would be a much faster way …
After the Alameda, the final supply ship of the season, pulled anchor and headed to warmer waters, Welch saw more sore throats than usual. Tonsillitis was his initial diagnosis. Late in December, one of the children with tonsillitis died. The native parents didn’t allow Welch to do an examination. In January, Dr. Welch learned that …
Stu Nelson, a soft spoken man, but a giant in the world of sled dogs and adventure, passed away unexpectedly in late September near his home in northern Idaho. Dr. Stu Nelson has served Iditarod – both sled dogs and mushers for 38 years. Iditarod is all about the dogs and so was Nelson! He’s …
It is with great sadness that we announce that the Iditarod’s Head Veterinarian, Dr. Stuart Nelson, passed away earlier this week in Idaho. Dr. Stu Nelson, Jr. has been a part of the Iditarod Family and an integral part of The Last Great Race® for 38 years and will be missed tremendously. We encourage …
