Today, the Iditarod announces an annual fundraising campaign that will preserve the Iditarod heritage for future generations, benefit the health and happiness of dogs around the world, deliver educational programs and honor the indomitable spirit of the Alaskan mushing culture. “WE ARE THE IDITAROD – preserving yesterday by protecting tomorrow, today” has the goal …
The Iditarod Nation lost a great storyteller on Tuesday, October 5, 2021. Hobo Jim Varsos succumbed to cancer in Nashville Tennessee. Jim started his life journey in Indiana in 1952. He was raised in Madison Wisconsin, and began playing the guitar when he was 12 years old. In the mid nineteen sixties, Jim decided to …
The Iditarod Board of Directors passed a resolution requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for all participants in the 2022 race. This applies to the entire Iditarod community, mushers, staff, contractors, volunteers, pilots, veterinarians, etc. This decision was made in concert with feedback from rural Alaska and is reflective of the Iditarod’s broad community health consciousness. …
The Iditarod has had to make several tough decisions in order to be extremely diligent navigating COVID-19 for both the 2020 and 2021 races. Now, more than ever, we are hyper focused to ensure zero community transmission as we prepare to return to the traditional Northern Route and Nome finish in March of 2022. Accordingly, The Iditarod Board of Directors has …
Hilcorp Alaska (Hilcorp) and Harvest Midstream (Harvest) today announced a major new sponsorship of the Iditarod. Both companies will be Principal Partners of the 50th Anniversary of the world-famous sled dog race. “We are excited to be joining the Iditarod, a rich and important Alaskan tradition, in its 50th Anniversary,” said Jeff Hildebrand, …
A bequest is made through your will or trust, and can be changed or modified at any time, and can be designated for an unrestricted or for a specific purpose. Your estate planning professional can help you determine how your charitable bequest are exempt from federal estate taxes, and how the estate tax charitable …
The 2021 Iditarod Summer Raffle drawing was conducted at 5 p.m. Monday, September 6 at the Iditarod’s Alaska State Fair booth and broadcast on The Iditarod Facebook Live. Thirty lucky raffle ticket holders now share approximately $147,050 in prizes, which includes one (1) $100,050 grand prize, two (2) $10,000 prizes, and twenty-seven (27) $1,000 prizes. …
By Greg Closter DVM, Alaska SPCA Specific vaccination requirements have been established for all dogs racing in the Iditarod. As stated in Rule 40: All dogs entered in the race must be current on their vaccinations for distemper/hepatitis/lepto/parvo/parainfluenza (DHLPP), rabies, and injectable, nasal, or oral bordetella. Bordetella is often referred to as “kennel cough”. While …
Article by Emily Dinges Have you ever wondered about opportunities for younger mushers? Let’s talk about the Jr. Iditarod! The Jr. Iditarod is for mushers 14 – 17 years old and stretches 150 miles. Typically, the race starts in Knik and winds its way up through the Alaskan wilderness, where mushers stop in Yentna …
On Iditarod in July day 8, we are pleased to feature Faces of the Iditarod. Famed Iditarod photographer, Jeff Schultz has produced a magical multi-media “living” exhibit that captures the soul and essence of the Iditarod by profiling a growing list of 565 mushers, volunteers, spectators, village residents, and of course the canine athletes. …
