Today’s letter “X” is going to focus more on the sound rather than the spelling since I didn’t feel anyone would be interested in reading about x-rays of xylophones. Instead, let’s dive into the exhilaration of today! Our final mushers were able to leave White Mountain Friday morning beginning around 9:00 a.m. Even with lots of rest there, I am certain they were none the less exhausted and ready to finish this journey. As they neared Front Street, their excitement was evident. Smiles, fists pumping in the air, and wide waves to the crowd made it extra exciting. They had exerted every last ounce of effort to get here, and Iditarod Nation could not be more proud of every exceptional veteran and rookie for completing The Last Great Race on Earth. Exhale mushers…you’ve made it to Nome!
My day exceeded all expectations, the perfect way to witness the final moments of this event. I was overjoyed to be asked to fly to White Mountain this morning. I examined areas such as Topkok Hills and The Blowhole from the air. Upon arrival I got to rake straw and expertly scoop poo after watching the last of the teams depart. The flight back included 8 sweet pups hitching a ride behind me and using the plane’s wings to “wave” at the teams below. My next adventure included “spotting” for the incoming mushers from 5 miles outside of Nome. Incredible photos and video came from that memorable jaunt. Then, as if the day hadn’t already been a dream, I had the honor of handing Richie Beattie the Red Lantern as he exited the sea ice and crested the hill onto Front Street. Smiles and cheers erupted for the final musher while he made his way into the chute and under the famous burled arch. 2026 Iditarod….mission accomplished!
“X”-tra Interesting Facts!
- Dogs are giving straw at every checkpoint but 1 where they get hay. What checkpoint? Rainy Pass! Because hay has nutritional value they use hay due to the wild horses in the area.
- The race is technically 1,000 miles but they say 1,049 as a tribute to Alaska being the 49th state.
- The word Iditarod means “distant place”.
- Newton Marshall was the first Jamaican musher to compete in 2010.
- Anna and Kristy Berington, identical twin sisters, would travel together on the trail and take turns who would finish before the other one.
- Norman Vaughn was the oldest person to win at the age of 87.
- The slowest recorded completion time was 32 days, 15 hours, 9 minutes, and 1 second.
- John Suter raced Standard Poodles from 1988-1991 before breed standards were implemented in the rules.
- Every musher has between 1,000-2,000 pounds of food dropped at checkpoints.
- The closest race in history was 1 second when Dick Mackey defeated Rick Swenson in 1978.
