When I’m asked when does Iditarod start, I reply the last Saturday of February. Folks in the know would try to correct me, saying Iditarod begins the first Saturday of March. But for me, because I work as the starter/timer for the Jr. Iditarod, the whole Iditarod scene begins to unfold with the Jr. race. …
One of the reasons Joe Redington, Sr. invented and promoted the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race was to preserve the Historic Iditarod Trail. The trail was used to transport people, goods, mail mining supplies and mining equipment across Alaska long before snowmachines or airplanes were invented. The 2017 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail, Annie Kelley, …
The winter weather advisory posted for Wasilla, AK where Iditarod Headquarters is located called for 4 to 6 inches of snow to fall over night and throughout the morning. The forecast was fairly accurate. Sharing with you today the scenes at Headquarters.
My name is Sanka Wusha. The name,Sanka, comes from the character in “Cool Runnings,” the movie about the Jamaican Bobsled Team and Wusha is Ethiopian for dog. My birthday is in the middle of May so I’m about 5 months old right now. I was born at Rayme Redington’s kennel just a few miles away …
Sixteen rookies earned their Iditarod finisher’s belt buckle in the 2016 Iditarod. Many of the veterans at the banquet in Nome were wearing belt buckles earned in their rookie run. Iditarod XLIV is in the history books now. Already mushers and race planners are looking forward to the 45th running of The Last Great Race® …
This energetic dog has just finished the 1049 mile Iditarod with plenty of leftover energy.
When 4th grade teacher Trent Herbst made the arch this morning and set his snow hooks, he first snacked the dogs, praised them and loved them. Then he went back and pulled a small ziplock bag of rolled scrolls out of the depths of his sled. He walked up to most but not all of …
Aliy Zirkle finished the 2017 Iditarod in 3rd place for the race and her husband Allan, who gives their younger dogs a first look at the trail, finished in 32nd place. Of course Aliy was at the burled arch to welcome Allen and the dogs. This was Allen’s finish but Aliy did answer one question …
March 16, 2016: Miriam Osredkar had been in Unalakleet since that morning. The previous night when she was between the Old Woman cabin and Unalakleet checkpoint, she stopped to change out a couple of dogs. Another team came by at about the same time. As the other team passed there was a minor tangle. Once …
The Berington Twins are noted for their excellent dog care. They use massage and heat for easing sore muscles. Anna is holding a custom made dog sweater that has pockets sewn in for hand warmers. It’s anything and everything for the dogs!
