Rookie Iditarod musher Sean Williams (bib #35) of Chugiak, Alaska, scratched at 6:21 a.m. today in advance of the Iditarod 49 start. Williams made the decision to scratch due to a non-COVID-19-related family health concern.
Due to COVID-19 mitigation protocols, the Iditarod has set the starting order for the 49th running of the Last Great Race on Earth using a digital order generator to randomly select names for the official start order, taking into account the two separate draw batches based on when mushers signed up for the race. “This …
There are no World Championship Sled Dog Races or Iditarod Ceremonial start in Downtown Anchorage this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To keep the sled dog racing spirit alive, a scavenger hunt to find the sled dogs downtown will take place March 3 – 6. Each sled dog was designed by 17 different …
By Kimberly Henneman, DVM, DACVSMR (EQ, K9) Animal Health VIPS (Veterinary Integrative & Performance Specialists) Marathon or distance sled dogs run and pull sleds in a variety of conditions that include spending nights out on the trail. Sometimes those conditions can change quickly, going from sunny and above freezing to snowing and well below …
Over the last decade, as human diet trends have become more popular, so too have specialty pet foods. Just as people seek out the latest paleo, keto, or high-octane juice cleanse recipe, pet owners are also drawn to “premium,” or “holistic,” or “carnivore-based” diets. One of the most popular trends in the dog food market …
Most sled dogs are part of a kennel, with anywhere from 10 to over 100 huskies living in a dog yard. This is the environment that many people picture when they envision the living quarters of a typical sled dog. However, many people don’t know that sled dogs can be great indoor pets. You …
While the Iditarod believes the future does not belong to the fainthearted, we take the health and well-being of our racers, volunteers, staff, and spectators very seriously. After consulting with our stakeholders and in consultation with the Municipality of Anchorage, we decided to cancel our traditional ceremonial start in Anchorage due to the COVID-19 …
A penguin, a sled dog, and a manatee walk into a diner… Well, maybe not. But even if they don’t frequent the same restaurants, they do share similar adaptations that help them overcome the challenges of life in cold environments. As veterinarians, we’re often asked how dogs can tolerate walking barefoot on snow and ice. …
by Jen Reiter, EDU Faculty and 2014 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail With the Iditarod Trail Committee announcing the historic route for the 2021 Race, The Gold Trail, all attention this year will focus on the historic town and checkpoint of Iditarod. Iditarod came into existence after the Christmas Day, 1908 gold strike on …
Today, the Iditarod Trail Committee confirmed that both the restart and the finish of the Last Great Race on Earth will take place at Deshka Landing. The decision was mutually made by the Iditarod and the Willow Area Community Organization due to concern for COVID-19 risk mitigation at the Willow Area Community Center, which is …
