There’s a saying out there, “You can learn a lot from a bunch of sled dogs.” Kids all over the world experience science, math and literacy through the Iditarod and its canine athletes. Perhaps you’d like to meet some of the marathoners heading to Nome who also happen to be some of the best teachers around.

Angie Taggart from Ketchikan is running her 2nd Iditarod. She’s the first musher from Ketchikan to compete in and complete the Iditarod. In 2011 Angie made Nome in 13 days, 1 hour and 49 minutes. She’s depending on 6-year-old Bee who runs team and Stove Pipe who runs leader, team or wheel to take her the distance. She describes Stove Pipe as a very happy dog with a lot of character.

Jodi Bailey is running her 3rd Iditarod. Bailey made history in 2010 when she was the first rookie to complete both the Yukon Quest and Iditarod the same year. Bailey says, “When you travel by dog team you are really exposed to the world around you, experiencing it in all its beauty and extremes. I feel very fortunate to be able to do this.” Jodi depends on Orchid and Gutknecht as leaders. At the other end of the line right in front of the sled she’s got a pair of identical wheel dogs, Pepsi and Topaz. To tell them apart, she has to look carefully at their ears – Pepsi’s are more pointed than Topaz.

There were 1034 dogs that left Willow for the trip to Nome.  That’s a lot of dog power and character out there on the trail providing real life applications for math, science and literacy.  Stay tuned for updates when Stove Pipe, Bee, Orchid, Gutknecht, Pepsi and Topaz make McGrath, the Gold Coast and Nome.

Born to Run,

Sanka