2019 Jr. Iditarod mushers pose with Barb Redington, this year’s honorary musher

This evening was the 2019 Jr. Iditarod mandatory musher meeting. Now, don’t let the term “junior” make you think that these mushers don’t know what they’re doing. In fact, this year’s group of mushers collectively bring a tremendous amount of mushing experience and knowledge to the table. Additionally, many of the 2019 Jr. Iditarod mushers have been around mushing and dogs for the majority of their lives!  

After enjoying some pizza, soda, and conversation with with one another, all of the mushers sat together in the front of the room. Each musher shared his/her name as well as some background information. Also present in the room were many parents and family members. It was quite clear that they were very supportive and proud of the mushers for all of their hard work and their preparations for the race. 

One by one, the mushers drew their bib numbers in order to determine the order of who’s leaving the starting line. While receiving their bib, each musher was also given an awesome gift pack filled with a variety of practical items that can be used along the trail. When the drawing ended, mushers attentively listened to important information regarding the race route, trail markers, trail conditions, and some of the protocols about what to do in the event of an unlikely emergency. 

Tomorrow’s Jr. Iditarod marks the 42nd running of this race. Starting at 10:00 a.m., mushers will leave in two minute intervals from Knik Lake. They will make their way, approximately 75 miles, to Yentna Station, where they will be required to take a mandatory 10 hour layover. After the layover is served, as well as the added starting time differential from the beginning of the race, mushers will make their way to Willow Community Center– the finish line that is approximately 75 miles away from Yentna Station. 

As the mushers attempt to sleep and get some rest for tomorrow, I can only imagine that each of them is thinking about the race and what to expect on the trail.  Although there are always uncertainties when it comes to racing, one thing that is certain is the fact that every musher will try their best and have fun while doing the thing they love most- dog mushing!

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Make sure to follow the Jr. Iditarod. You can track the mushers and follow the updated race standings by going to the Jr. Iditarod website. 

Students at every grade level are always interested in the Jr. Iditarod. Teach your students about this race and have them learn about the 2019 mushers. Also, learning about the Jr. Iditarod opens up a great opportunity to have students compare and contrast this race to the Iditarod. Have them find similarities and differences between the rules of both races. 

Jr. Iditarod Race Rules- 2019

Iditarod Race Rules- 2019