Libby Littles

What is an IditaRider?

Libby here! Did you know that each year, a group of lucky race fans get to have a very important and special ‘seat’ at the start of the race?  Did you know that some race fans get to see the start of the race while on a very special journey? That ‘seat’ is in the …

Rookies Go to ‘School’, too!

 Libby here! Did you know that even the ‘rookie’ mushers have to go to school? ‘Rookie’ mushers are the mushers who have not finished an Iditarod race from Anchorage to Nome. Not every ‘rookie’ is brand new to the race.  Sometimes, a rookie starts the race and scratches.  When the musher signs up to run …

When Do Mushers Sign Up for the Race?

  Libby here! Did you know that the musherstart signing up for the next  Iditarod  last Saturday in June.  On the last Saturday in June each year, there is always a big picnic at Iditarod Headquarters in Wasila.   Lots of mushers, volunteers, and race fans go to  Iditarod Headquarters for the big a very …

The Jr. Iditarod Begins

Libby here! “Howling with happy songs about sled dogs on the run!” The Jr. Iditarod begins on the last Saturday in February each year! The young mushers always attend meeting at Iditarod Headquarters on Friday night before the start of the Jr. Iditarod.  The  mushers learned about the trail and the rules. On that Friday, …

Dropped Dogs Back at Headquarters

Libby here! Hello Boys and Girls! Sled dogs that don’t get to finish the race are called ‘dropped dogs’. So many of you had comments about sled dogs, so I thought I’d add more information for you! Dropped dogs can be left at any checkpoint.  The musher and veterinarian make the decision to remove a …

Something Pink for Dogs? Really?

Libby here! Doesn’t this pink stuff look yummy? Gooey, pink, yummy, yummy?  Oh but this is not something to eat! This is a special ointment that is made special for the sled dogs! Each year, a group of Iditarod volunteers meet at Iditarod Headquarters  for a very important job!  The volunteers mix up a special …

What kind of dogs are in the race?

  Libby Here! Zuma sent me a copy of a great question that came from Ms. Thompson’s students: Are all of the dogs huskies? Any dog that races in Iditarod must be a ‘sled dog’. The dogs that race in Iditarod are a ‘northern breed’ of dog, meaning that they have a natural ‘fur’ coat …

Video from Vet Check

Libby here! Do you ever wonder what goes on at the Vet Check that is held right before the race?  View this video for a glimpse of vets, mushers, and dogs of the Iditarod! What goes on at Vet Check? Click to view the video. Video By Sally Simon, Finalist for 2011  Iditarod Teacher on …

Why is it called “The Last Great Race on Earth®”

Libby Here! “The Last Great Race on Earth®” —  Iditarod. You have seen those words before but are you wondering why Iditarod is called, “The Last Great Race® on Earth®”? The answer is pretty simple.  It is called “The Last Great Race on Earth®” because in 1978, a reporter for the London …..  Ian Woolridge, …

Rookies and Veterans – What Do These Words Mean?

Libby here!  I’m the little one, next to my pal, Wicket.  This photo of us was taken when we went on a boat ride one lazy summer afternoon.  But, while I was spending my summer days taking boat rides on the lake with my human and k9 friends, mushers were making their plans for the …