Statement Regarding Rule 37

    We have heard from many with regards to musher penalties imposed pursuant to Rule 37, found in the Iditarod Rule Book.   Some have expressed considerable vitriol that a musher could be punished for sheltering dogs inside. One of the foundational tenets of the Iditarod is a passionate concern for dogs and dog …

Update from The Iditarod Regarding Continued Search for Leon, Missing Sled Dog

March 28, 2022 The Iditarod is heartbroken over the disappearance of Leon, a sled dog on the race team of Sebastien Dos Santos Borges and would like to recognize the continued search efforts. Leon was returned to Ruby the evening of Saturday, March 12, 2022.  He then escaped on Sunday, March 13, around noon by …

Eye on the Trail: Nome Banquet and Awards

The return to the traditional Finisher’s Banquet format in Nome was welcomed by mushers, families, sponsors and Iditarod fans alike.  After two years of anything but normal, it felt very good to gather two weeks after the Willow start to celebrate the 50th running of Iditarod at the Recreation Center in Nome.  Awards were presented …

Eye on the Trail:  Red Lantern to Apayauq Reitan

Veteran Iditarod musher Aqayauq Reitan (bib #47) of Kaktovik, Alaska, is the final musher to reach Nome on March 19th at 11:39 p.m. with seven dogs. In its inaugural year as a sponsor, Lynden chose to honor the Red Lantern finisher for their perseverance and commitment to completing the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race through …

Eye on the Trail:  Final Four Into Nome

Before Kaylin Davis, one of the final four to leave White Mountain departed the checkpoint, she answered a few questions for Insider.  Without a doubt,  the most important question and one that was on everyone’s mind, “How did she feel about heading out of White Mountain to Topkok and beyond after mushers needed to be …

Eye on the Trail: The Shelter Cabin Crew

When Riley Dyche left White Mountain at 20:06 on the evening of St. Patrick’s Day, he fully expected to be in Nome within 12 hours.  The same was true for second year rookie Sebastien Dos Santos Borges, veteran Jeff Deeter and his wife, KattiJo Deeter, a first year Iditarod Rookie who departed White Mountain in …

Eye on the Tail: Riley Dyche makes Nome

Riley Dyche was undoubtedly glad to see Front Street and the Burled Arch of Nome.  He’s proof that patience is a virtue.  Riley persevered through the winds of Topkok and made it to the Nome Kennel Club shelter cabin  at mile 926.  He stayed at the cabin for well more than 24-hours until the wind …

Eye on the Trail: Mother Nature Rules

March 18th certainly didn’t turn out as expected.  It was an incredibly hectic day for race officials even though no one made the finish line in Nome.  It was a day when mushers would need to make critical decisions for the safety of their dogs and themselves.  It was a day when people came together …

Eye on the Trail: Nome on St. Patrick’s Day Part II

Deke Naaktgeboren has completed his second Iditarod.  He’s negotiated the Steps, the Gorge, and the snowless Burn.  He’s navigated the sea ice and head winds of the Norton Sound and he’s persevered over Topkok and through the Blow Hole to finish in 29th place.  Deke’s run time was 11 days, 4 hours and 12 minutes …

Eye on the Trail: Nome on St. Patrick’s Day Part I

Just like all the people in Nome, I’m watching the tracker and waiting for the first musher to arrive on St. Patrick’s Day.  It’s going to be a close one.  Tracker shows veteran Martin Buser and rookie Joe Taylor running at mile 964.  Now granted with 5,280 feet in a mile they could be nearly …