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 …
“Just to run that race takes a tough and hardy breed.” As an educator who weaves the Iditarod into my classroom regularly, I often fail to recognize the similarities in teachers and mushers… I’m too busy admiring their athleticism and adaptability to extreme conditions. But have you ever thought about the resilience required for an …
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 …
Dr. Curtis Welch had arrived in Alaska in 1907. He was very familiar with the winters and rather enjoyed the isolation of the ice bound, blizzard swept town of Nome. Nearly half of Nome’s population shipped out for the winter on the last vessels departing before the Bering Sea froze. Being icebound November through June, …
Linda Fenton and Jim Deprez will be sharing the broad spectrum of duties that fall under the heading of Iditarod Education. Coinciding with the beginning of a new school year, Iditarod announced the co-directorship effective the first of September. Likely their names sound familiar. They’ve both served as Teacher on the Trail™ and have taken …
Linda Fenton and Jim Deprez will be sharing the broad spectrum of duties that fall under the heading of Iditarod Education. Coinciding with the beginning of a new school year, Iditarod announced the co-directorship effective the first of September. Likely their names sound familiar. They’ve both served as Teacher on the Trail™ and have taken …
When the calendar pages reveal the arrival of January 2025, there’s an anniversary that begs to be celebrated. January of 2025 will mark the 100th anniversary of the Serum Run, sometimes referred to as The Great Race of Mercy. Twenty drivers and about 150 sled dogs carried the diphtheria antitoxin from Nenana to Nome in …
Maggie Hamilton, 2025 Teacher on the Trail, met up with Kate Newmyer, 2024 Teacher on the Trail, at Space Center Houston. Topping their list of things to do that day was passing the Teacher on the Trail sleeping bag. With mock shuttle Independence and shuttle carrier aircraft, NASA 905 in the back ground, Kate launched …
Officially the first paragraphs of the 53rd chapter of Iditarod were penned on Saturday, June 29th at Iditarod Headquarters during the Volunteer Appreciation Picnic and Musher Signup event. It was a sunny, blue-bird day in Wasilla – perfect for honoring the volunteers who make the race possible and welcoming the next field of racers. Jr. …
