by: Lynne Witte What is on the menu for sled dogs? What a sled dog eats is very important to their performance year round. The dogs’ diet affects their overall health, muscle development, and ability to run their best. The menu and amount of food for sled dogs changes with the seasons. During the …
When it comes to Iditarod history, the 49th race was indeed unique. It was a combination of perseverance, innovation, teamwork and determination. There was COVID-19, a new route that went up the down staircase, minimal interaction with villagers and camping in frigid temperatures and like always there were stories and events that made the race …
Article by Jen Reiter, 2014 Teacher on the Trail Something that every Iditarod Rookie looks forward to is “earning his or her buckle.” Each Iditarod finisher is awarded a brass finisher’s belt buckle upon the completion of their first race signaling that they are a rookie no more! In the early days of the …
Article by Heidi Sloan, 2018 Teacher on the Trail When the mushers lined up to take off on their adventure, they didn’t really know what to expect. Some of the wives were crying, thinking they may never see their mushers again. The gear wasn’t as warm. They didn’t have bottles of Heet to start …
The Iditarod is saddened by the news that longtime Alaskan legislator and Iditarod advocate Gail Phillips has passed away. One of Gail’s first Iditarod volunteer jobs was making presentations to local communities with Joe Redington, Sr. Gail and husband Walt’s house in Spenard served as the Iditarod Trail Committee’s office and many hours were spent …
March 19, 2021 (Anchorage, AK) – Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has proclaimed today, March 19, 2021, as “Iditarod Appreciation Day” in Alaska and issued the following remarks: WHEREAS, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is an Alaskan tradition and source of pride for Alaskans from Ketchikan to Utqiagvik; and WHEREAS, this annual event commemorates the incredible strength …
The last two mushers were waiting in SKW-WM for their required 8-hour rest to expire. Victoria Hardwick of Bethel took to the trail at 14:57. Dakota Schlosser of Willow was released at 14:59. The two mushers were competing for the honor of perseverance -THE RED LANTERN and a Jon Van Zyle original painting. It wasn’t …
Hal Hanson was resting in SKWM (Skwentna White Mountain) and talked to Liz Raines, Insider’s Back of the Pack reporter. Throughout that interview Hal kept coming back to not wanting the race to be over. His dogs were maturing and he was very proud of their growth and development. His team started the race in …
Veteran Iditarod musher Victoria Hardwick (bib #48), of Bethel, Alaska, is the final musher to cross the finish line in Deshka Landing at 12:22 a.m. today, claiming the Red Lantern Award. Hardwick and her race team completed the Iditarod in 10 days, 9 hours, 22 minutes and 6 seconds. She finishes in 36th place, just two …
Joshua McNeal made Deshka Landing and the un-burled arch at 07:07 on Wednesday morning. Joanna Jagow followed at 08:54 and Sean Underwood closed out the morning arrivals at 11:48. These three along with all rookie finishers and Rookie of the Year, Chad Stoddard will receive the coveted belt buckle. McNeal drove a team of nine …
