Loads and Loads of Snow for Trail Through Anchorage (Photo: Terrie Hanke)

Race week is hectic or perhaps even chaotic but it’s organized and it’s exciting to be a part of.  There is plenty to keep race fans busy during the week and it might include taking a turn on a Ferris wheel.

For me, Iditarod begins on the last Saturday of February.  Wait, wait you say!  The Iditarod starts on the first Saturday of March.  Indeed that’s true but the Jr. Iditarod takes off on the final Saturday of February and seems to set everything into motion for Iditarod.  I stand by my statement, Iditarod starts on the last Saturday of February.

This year, sixteen teenage mushers departed Knik Lake at Saturday morning at 10:00 for the rest stop and turn around point of Yentna Station.  After spending the required 10 hour layover plus differential at Yentna, the teens were back on the trail back tracking to the Knik finish.  The banquet honoring the teen contestants was held at Joe Redington High School.  As the 2023 champion, Emily Robinson became the first female to win back to back Jr. Iditarod races.  Robinson will have the honor of carrying Iditarod’s honorary musher, a designee for Lance Mackey, in her sled for the Ceremonial start.

As if there wasn’t enough excitement on Knik Lake with the Jr. Iditarod finish, the Iditarod Trail Invitational started a short distance from the Jr. finish line.  Bikers, walkers and skiers began their human powered quest for McGrath at 300 miles with some bikers setting their sights on Nome at 1,000 miles.

Laying out the Trail on 4th Avenue (Photo: Terrie Hanke)

Meanwhile at the same time in Anchorage, Fur Rondy is in full swing.  To name only a few activities on their calendar, there’s curling, basketball, snowshoe softball, a fat-tire bike ride, the Frostbite Run and the Rondy World Championship Sled Dog Sprint Races.  In addition Rondy goers can enjoy music, ice sculptures, carnival rides and the largest fireworks show in Alaska.  A Ferris wheel ride to gaze out over the city of Anchorage is a real treat on a crisp cold Alaska evening

Tuesday, the Iditarod Educator’s Winter Conference kicked off in Anchorage, with teachers from across the United States in attendance.  Featured speakers for the four day event included Inaugural musher and author Rod Perry, author Katie Mangelsdorf, author Shelly Gill, Race Marshal Mark Nordman, IAF pilot Wes Erb and mushers Kirby and Anna Berington.  The conference runs through Friday.  Participants return home with a sled full of new ideas and ready to use lessons to engage their students through Iditarod themed instruction. 

Time to hit the road on Wednesday for a visit to Iditarod Headquarters.  At HQ, fieldtrip participants had the opportunity to see the veterinarians in action as they performed pre-race physicals on the canine athletes. Blood work and EKG’s were completed previously.  It’s a remarkable experience to witness the interactions between vets, canines and mushers during vet check.  

The bus bearing fieldtrip participants continued up the Parks Highway then turned off at Big Lake for a visit to Happy Trails Kennel and Martin Buser.  Martin has completed 39 Iditarod races and has won four championships along with numerous other awards.  Buser is an engaging story teller and a true Dog Man.  He shares his knowledge with apprentice mushers and mushing fans.  Visitors listen to Martin’s stories, interact with his dogs and then watch  a hook up and witness the joy and excitement of the dogs as they take the trail.

Mushers Toast to a Safe 2023 Iditarod Adventure (Photo: Juli Westrich)

Thursday is a full day for mushers as they attend the musher meeting and receive a plethora of race related information from race marshal Mark Nordman.  Among other things he explains new rules, trail conditions and pertinent procedures and expectations.  At noon, the mushers break to have lunch with their Iditariders.

Late Thursday afternoon, the mushers relocate to the Dena’ina Center for the Musher’s Gala and Banquet. The in person 2023 Musher Meet and Greet and Musher Bib Draw will be the first since 2020.  Attendees will enjoy a tribute to Honorary Musher Lance Mackey, appearances of Iditarod Legends and a first class meal prior to the moment everyone is waiting for – the bib draw.  Mushers will be called to the stage to draw bib numbers from the traditional mukluk, except this year, they drew from a cap.  Click here to view the starting order.

As race day draws closer, communications crews are checking their equipment and flying out to checkpoints near and far.  They have to plan ahead as flights to Yentna, Skwentna, Finger Lake and Rainy Pass are all Iditarod Air Force.  They abide by the visual flight rule of 5 miles.  A foggy day, rain, heavy snow or even light snow and they don’t fly.  The race must go on so they follow the weather closely and populate check points plenty early.        

Friday night is when the trail through downtown Anchorage literally materializes before your eyes.  The City of Anchorage has been stockpiling snow for the whole winter to build trail for the Fur Rondy and Iditarod.  Mother Nature has contributed generously this year.  At about 9 in the evening, dump trucks begin dropping loads of snow along 4th Avenue and the side streets.  Graders and end loaders follow behind to spreading the snow to a uniform depth of 6 inches.  The task is completed during the early hours of Saturday morning.  The stage is set and teams will begin arriving before Saturday’s sunrise with thousands of fans not far behind.

There you have it, a rundown of what happens the week prior to the race in and around Anchorage.  If you’re not physically in Alaska, you are only an arm’s length away from the great Iditarod coverage provided by Insider. Make sure your subscription is activated.