Terrie Hanke

Eye on the Trail: 1st Chapter of 2024

The 1st chapter of the 2024 Iditarod and Jr. Iditarod was recorded on Saturday June 24th at the Musher Sign-up and Volunteer Picnic at Headquarters in Wasilla.  The weather cooperated as mushers, race fans and volunteers gathered to enjoy friendship, conversation and the usual delicious fare of grilled burgers and salmon. Mushers could register for …

Eye on the Trail: Iditarod LI

The first few sentences of the 51st Chapter of the book of Iditarod were written on Saturday June 25th at the Musher Sign-up and Volunteer Picnic.  It’s a gala annual event held the final Saturday of June to thank the throng of volunteers who make the race happen and welcome mushers as they commit to …

Eye on the Jr: One Champion, All Winners!

Close, tight, side by side, neck and neck, nose to nose or nip and tuck – all are perfect descriptors of the Jr. Iditarod stage event.  A mere 6 seconds separated first and second place and five minutes lapsed between second and third place in Jr. Iditarod XLV.  At times there were multiple teams under …

Eye on the Jr: It’s a Tight Race!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls!  We have a race, a tight race – neck and neck – side by side – nose to nose – nip and tuck. Whatever you call it, clearly after Stage I this can be anybody’s race! The weather on the Denali Highway looks rather exceptional for the race today.  …

Eye on the Jr: Mushers Complete Stage I

With gear checks complete, dogs harnessed and mushers dressed the Jr. Iditarod is underway.  Fifteen mushers are in the field with 6 being veterans and 9 being rookies.  The race was moved up to Cantwell to avoid overflow in the Knik/Willow area.  The race will be a stage race with two days of sixty-four mile …

Eye on the Jr: It’s Race Day

With the start and finish line moved up the Parks Highway to Cantwell.  The race will be run as a stage race with two sixty-three mile out and back runs on the Denali Highway.  The race was moved from the usual Knik/Willow start and finish due to copious amounts of overflow. Mother Nature has dumped …

Eye on the Jr: Honorary Musher Bob Morgan

The Jr. Iditarod Board has named Bob Morgan as the Honorary musher for the 45th running of the race.  The mushers will sign bib #1 and present it to Bob in recognition of his service to the race and support of young mushers.  Bob will be at the start at Cantwell and at the finish …

Eye on the Jr: Class of 2022 Rookies Part II

There are four rookies we have yet to meet in the 2022 Jr. Iditarod.   There are six veterans with a combined 7 years of previous Jr. Iditarod experience.  There are a total of nine new-comers.  The field of 15 mushers is larger than the previous few years.  The field has six male musher and nine …

Eye on the Jr: Class of 2022 Rookies Part I

Kids come to mushing through many different circumstances.  Sometimes, it’s purely coincidental and other times it’s a family affair.  Some get into the sport after being introduced by neighbors or friends while others follow older brothers and sisters down the trail.  Whatever brought them to dogs, these are dedicated young mushers who have worked hard …

Eye on the Jr:  Meet the 2022 Veterans

A half-dozen veteran mushers are part of the 15 musher field  for the 45th Jr. Iditarod.  These veterans combine for seven years of Jr. Iditarod experience.  Morgan Martins will defend his 2021 Championship and 2021 special award winners, James Shawcroft and Kristal Hanson also return for the 150 mile race.  The Jr. Iditarod, just like …