The Last Great Race: The Iditarod

For many individuals, the name Husky is immediately associated with sled dogs, which in turn brings to mind the renowned Iditarod race. However, the Iditarod is more than just a sporting event. It serves as a final assessment of endurance, loyalty, and bravery, while also commemorating the Great Serum Run and celebrating the exceptional sport of sled dog racing. Additionally, the Iditarod stands out as one of the few athletic competitions in which both men and women compete on equal footing. This chapter provides a concise overview of the illustrious race, allowing you to envision your favorite Husky mushing across the frozen tundra from the comfort and security of your own home.

Understanding How It Began: The Start of the Iditarod

The Iditarod, a 1,000-mile race, was inaugurated in 1973 by Dorothy G. Page, a Wasilla, Alaska native. Page was concerned that the advent of snowmobiles had overshadowed the remarkable achievements of sled dogs in the Great Serum Run and other historic events.

HOW FAST CAN A DOG RUN?

The speed at which a dog can run is influenced by several factors, including its size, body shape, and length. The Greyhound breed, known for its streamlined physique, is the fastest breed and can average speeds of up to 45 miles per hour in races, with top performers reaching over 50 mph. Huskies, on the other hand, can sprint at speeds of up to 28 miles per hour (without pulling a sled) and can maintain a speed of 20 miles per hour for around 50 miles.

It is worth noting that Iditarod dogs are not required to be purebred Siberians, and many mushers opt for mixed breeds that offer a balance of speed and stamina for long-distance racing. Greyhound mixes are often used in Iditarod teams, although purebred Greyhounds would not be suitable due to their lack of fur, which is essential for the cold weather conditions.

In the early years of the competitive Iditarod, there were unfortunate reports of canine fatalities, with 15 dogs passing away during the first race and 16 in the following year. Given the extreme conditions of the race, with wind chill reaching as low as minus 100 degrees, even the hardiest Huskies are at risk.

The idea for the Iditarod Trail Race was conceived by Joe Redington and a colleague, who organized the first race in 1967, covering a distance of just 27 miles. Despite its modest beginnings, the event gained momentum and attracted a purse of $25,000. The first race was won by Isaac Okleasik, with participants from across Alaska, as well as two from Massachusetts.

The founders of the race were not content with a short sprint and aimed for a much grander event. Their vision was realized when the United States Army opened the sled trail all the way to Nome in 1973, following the old Gold Trail from Anchorage to Nome.

Following the Trail

The annual race commences in downtown Anchorage on the first Saturday in March, with over 1,000 dogs typically participating. The initial stretch covers 8 to 10 miles to Eagle River, where mushers can assess their dogs and equipment. This is a symbolic start, followed by the official restart in Willow, located 80 miles north. Previously, Wasilla served as the starting point, but insufficient snowfall in recent years due to climate change has necessitated a change in location.

During the ceremonial start, a number of Iditariders accompany the mushers, but this leg does not factor into the overall time. After reaching the VFW Post in Eagle River, the dogs are transported home for the night. The Iditarod trail is not a fixed route, with a northern track used in even years and a southern one in odd years. Initially, only the northern trail was used, but concerns over the impact on small villages along the route led to the decision to alternate the trail. This allowed southern villages such as Shageluk, Anvik, and Grayling to participate in the race for the first time.

The majority of the trail passes through tundra and spruce forest, with occasional stops in small villages. Once the mushers reach the checkpoint at Knik, they bid farewell to roads for the remainder of the race. Depending on weather conditions, the first mushers typically arrive in Nome between 9 and 12 days later.

Looking at the Iditarod Today

Typically, the competition sees participation from around 50 to 80 teams, although only a handful of them stand a chance to emerge victorious. However, for most teams, completing the renowned race is a matter of great pride. The year 2000 witnessed a remarkable achievement with 81 drivers successfully finishing the race. The subsequent sections offer a detailed analysis of various aspects of the event in a concise manner.

Entering the race

Not everyone with a sled and a bunch of dogs is eligible to run the Iditarod. Each team must

• Pay the entry fee. The entry fee is now $4,000. (The entry fee originally was $1,049, a dollar for every mile run.) In fact, everyone who finishes the race (after the top 20, who get larger cash prizes) receives $1,049 for his efforts — a dollar for every mile run.

• Pay all other related costs. The associated costs can include the following:

  • Transportation: The Iditarod requires the musher to pay for flying the dogs home from the finish line in Nome, along with themselves, at least one handler, and the gear. That costs around $1,500.
  • Lodging and food: A team can expect to pay around $1,500 for lodging and food for the week before the race. During the race, mushers spend about $250 for their food.
  • Handler: If the team hires a handler, it’ll cost about $500.
  • Equipment: Believe it or not, a team can count on spending (wait for it) $1,800 for dog booties for the whole team for the whole race.
  • Dog food: The dog food costs around $2,400 (which includes 1,200 to 1,800 pounds!). This is high fat meat, not your run-of-the-mill dog food.
  • Sled maintenance: It costs around $1,000 (which includes spare parts, plastic covers for the sled runners, and so on). It does not count the cost of the sled!
  • Sled and other gear: The initial cost of all the gear is about $8,000.
  • Mandatory pre-race vet check: That’s $350.

  All in all, a team can expect to spend more than $20,000 — just to enter the race. If you want to lease a dog team for the season, it’s another $15,000 to $20,000.

• Qualify for the Iditarod. Only mushers with a proven track record can race. They must have participated in three smaller races in order to qualify for the Iditarod.

Remember

It is worth noting that mushers have the option to lease their racing dogs, and there are no mandatory written exams to demonstrate their expertise in dog handling, mushing, or canine first aid. This is a matter of concern for some, as animal welfare advocates have expressed opposition to the race, citing concerns about animal cruelty.

It is mandatory for each team to have a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 16 dogs, out of which 5 must be hitched to the gangline at the finish in Nome. No additional dogs can be added to the team during the race. Mushers are required to maintain a veterinary log during the run, and the dogs are subjected to periodic checks.

Over the years, teams have grown in size. With a large team, the musher can be up to 80 feet away from the lead dog, resulting in increased vocalization. Many Iditarod drivers prefer using two lead dogs, although it is not uncommon for someone to run the race with just one.

The Iditarod has attracted participants from various countries such as Austria, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Sweden, Norway, Great Britain, Russia, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, and Australia. However, the majority of the entrants are from South Central Alaska, the Interior, and the Bush (any area not connected to the North America road network or has no access to the state’s ferry system). Only a small fraction of the participants are from the contiguous United States, Canada, or overseas.

Following the race rules

The required equipment for the Iditarod race includes a cold-weather sleeping bag, an ax, snowshoes, an operational cooker and pot, a veterinarian notebook, and two sets of dog booties per dog. It is worth noting that more than 2,000 booties are typically utilized during the race. Additionally, mushers are responsible for carrying a harness repair kit, extra mittens, and emergency food for both themselves and their dogs.

Throughout the race, mushers must pass through 26 checkpoints between Anchorage and Nome. While food, straw for dog bedding, and other supplies are flown in by the Iditarod Air Force, mushers are required to bring their own survival gear. It is worth mentioning that the Iditarod organizers ship in up to 200,000 pounds of food, which is provided by the mushers themselves.

Overall, the Iditarod race requires careful planning and preparation to ensure the safety and well-being of both the dogs and the mushers.

Technical stuff

The use of certain drugs on Iditarod dogs is strictly prohibited by law. Anabolic steroids, analgesics, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory drugs, cough suppressants, and other substances are strictly forbidden. However, there are some exceptions for topical ointments that can be applied directly to the feet. It is important to note that dogs participating in the race are subject to urine and blood sampling at any point during the event.

The veterinarians stationed along the course play a crucial role in assessing the health and well-being of the racing dogs. In the event that a vet determines a dog is unable to continue, it is immediately dropped from the race and permanently removed, with no possibility of replacement. For more information on the important role of these veterinarians, please refer to the next section.

It goes without saying that any driver found to be mistreating or abusing their animals will be disqualified from the race. Dropped dogs are transported back to the Hiland Mountain Correctional Center in Anchorage, where they receive attentive care from responsible inmates until they can be reunited with their owners. This program serves as a therapeutic experience for both prisoners and dogs alike. In cases where a dog is seriously ill or injured, it is transported by medevac to an emergency veterinary clinic.

It is worth noting that some mushers may begin the race with more dogs than they intend to finish with, as younger dogs in particular may only be run for the initial part of the race.

Remember

Ensuring the well-being of the dogs is a fundamental priority of the Iditarod race, as evidenced by the 26 out of 57 rules that pertain specifically to animal care. Along the trail, designated animal care shelters are also made available.

Running the race

The Iditarod race is a rigorous test of both speed and endurance, with mushers required to take a mandatory 24-hour stop at any time that is deemed most beneficial to the dogs. The checker at the rest point must be notified of the musher's decision to take a rest stop. Additionally, a musher must take one 8-hour stop on the Yukon and one 8-hour stop at White Mountain. Each checkpoint staff includes veterinarians who perform mandatory veterinary checks, with any tired or ill animals being left behind. Each checkpoint typically has three vets, and the chief vet has the authority to require that a tired or ill animal be dropped from the race. Trailbreakers, who use special snow-machines to break the trail and carry supplies, are stationed about six hours ahead of the dog teams. It is worth noting that a 50-pound Husky will consume more than 5,000 calories per day during the Iditarod, with nearly all of the calories coming from meat such as fish, beef, caribou, and moose.

Remember

If you are interested in participating in the Iditarod, we welcome you to join our team, regardless of your prior experience with dog sleds. The Iditarod Trail Committee relies on the support of thousands of volunteers each year, including veterinarians, trail breakers, logistics personnel, publicity specialists, fundraisers, and individuals to staff checkpoints and information centers. Additionally, you have the opportunity to become an Iditarider and win a trip aboard a dog sled for the first leg of the race through auctioned bids, which help support the participating teams.

Finishing and even winning the race

The Iditarod race has been won by members of both genders hailing from places with unique names such as Red Devil, Knik, Trapper Creek, and Clam Gulch. It is worth noting that the first woman to win the Iditarod was Libby Riddles in 1985, who led her team through a perilous blizzard to victory. In the same year, Susan Butcher, a crowd favorite, lost most of her team in an altercation with an enraged female moose. Moose attacks are not uncommon during the race, and Butcher was forced to withdraw after losing two dogs and injuring another. However, she went on to win the race the following year and repeated her victory three more times, earning her the title of Woman Athlete of the Year.

The Golden Harness award is presented to the most valuable dog, usually the lead dog or dogs of the winning team. The mushers themselves decide the winner, and in 2008, the award was presented to Babe, a third-place finisher who was almost 11 years old and had participated in nine Iditarod races.

Even the last-place finisher in the Iditarod is recognized and awarded the Red Lantern award. This award, which began as a joke, is now taken seriously and symbolizes courage, sportsmanship, and persistence. The Red Lantern is lit at 9:00 on the first Saturday in March in Nome, where the finish line is located, and remains lit as long as anyone is still competing in the race. Late finishers are honored at the Red Lantern Banquet.

The race can last up to two weeks, and only the top finishers manage to complete it in nine or ten days. Mushers race during the night and day, while the dogs get 12 to 14 hours of sleep per day, not necessarily all at once. While the dogs are resting, the driver is busy preparing their food, fixing their harnesses, and reflecting on why they started dog racing in the first place.

After the race, a grand celebration is held in Nome, featuring various events such as basketball tournaments, dart games, and the Ice Golf Classic.

FAMOUS IDITAROD MUSHERS

The following are some noteworthy facts about the Iditarod that you may find useful for trivia events:

• In 2017, Mitch Seavey set a new record for the fastest time in the race, completing it in 8 days, 3 hours, 40 minutes, and 13 seconds, while also becoming the oldest winner at the age of 57.
• Carl Huntington won the race in 1974 with the slowest time of over 20 days, but this was during the early years of the event.
• Rick Swenson has competed in 20 Iditarods and has always finished in the top ten, winning the race a record five times.
• Martin Buser, a Swiss national who had lived in Alaska in 1979, became the first international musher to win the race in 1992. Norwegian Robert Sørlie won in 2003, becoming the first non-US resident to do so.
• Dick Mackey won in 1978 in a photo finish against Rick Swenson, a remarkable feat in a race of this length. Dick's son, Rick, has also won the Iditarod, and they are the only father-son duo to have done so while wearing #13.
• Norman Vaughan, who is 88 years old, has finished the race four times but has yet to win.
• Susan Butcher was the first woman to finish in the top ten and has won the race four times.
• Dr. Terry Adkins was the sole veterinarian to compete in the inaugural Iditarod and has completed the race 20 times, a record matched only by Rick Swenson.
• Joe Runyan is the only musher to have won the Iditarod, the Alpirod (Europe's version of the Iditarod), and the Yukon Quest (another Alaskan-Canadian race and the Iditarod's main rival).
• John Suter entered the Iditarod with a team mostly made up of poodles in the early 1990s. Although poodles are not well-suited to running the Iditarod due to their fur sticking to the snow, Suter managed to finish the race three times over the years.