Frozen Paws and Gritty Resolve: The Iditarod Journey

[MediacomErin]

Copilot(2024)Imagine yourself on a sled pulled by 8 of the best huskies in Alaska. You have ridden for miles and miles, coaching your dogs to push themselves as your glide through snow, rough terrain, and bone chilling temperatures.  

Right now, this is the reality for 38 mushers and their teams as they participate in the 2024 Iditarod. We are a bit late to the party as this started on March 8th, but don't worry! I will catch you up as well as give you some history on this event! 

Despite popular belief that the Iditarod is based of the Serum Run of 1925, this event has a rich history and several historic events have influenced the Iditarod, making it the thing it is today. 

- In the early 20th Century, the Iditarod Trail was initially used by Native Americans for travel and hunting. It was later used to deliver supplies and mail to remote parts of Alaska as well. 

-In the 1960's, the use of snowmobiles became more and more popular and practice of dog sledding saw a decline. To preserve the culture of dog sledding, the Wasilla-Knik Centennial Committee, led by Dorothy Page and supported by Joe Redington Sr, planned a sled dog race along the historic Iditarod Trail. 

-In 1967 and 1969, the first races known as the Centennial Races were held to commemorate Alaska's 100th anniversary as a US territory. 

-In 1973, the modern long-distance  Iditarod race was established, running from Anchorage to Nome. The race was established to preserve the sled dog culture and the historic trail. Dick Wilmarth was the winner of the first race and t9ook three weeks to reach Nome. 

-Today the Iditarod embodies Alaska's frontier spirit, the mushing culture, and the grit and will power of both humans and canines. 

Now that we have learned something, stick around for daily updates, leader board, and fun facts about the race! 

You can get even more information as well as live updates and trail views at iditarod.com 

[MediacomErin]

Good morning mushing fans! 

We have a lot of catch up on but first I want to give you a view of the route 38 mushers and their canine companions will take for the 2024 Iditarod and take a little bit about the route and what mushers have to do as part of their participation . 

The Iditarod Route starts in Anchorage and ends in Nome. The route itself is about 938 miles long and most of the mushers finish within 10 days. There are 24 checkpoints on the route and 3 required layovers that must be taken during the race for safety reasons. The layover requirements are a 24hour layover at any official checkpoint between the Skwentna and Iditarod Stretch, including Skwentna and Iditarod. An 8 hour layover at any official checkpoint between the Rohn and Rohn Stretch, including either Rohn stops. Another 8 hour layover at Skwentna on the return trip. At each checkpoint along the route, dogs are examined by a vet to ensure the health of the team and that they are fit to continue the race,  they rest and recharge, strategize the next leg of the race, as well as access any of the pre packaged supplies dropped at the checkpoints before the start of the race. Mushers are required to check in and out of each one of the checkpoints to document the journey and time as well. 

We will get into the start of the race and some of the progress our mushers have made as well as check the leaderboard for the race later today! 

[MediacomErin]

As of this morning, the current leader is Dallas Seavey. Dallas and his family have a very rich history with the Iditarod. His grandfather, Dan Seavey completed in the first two Iditarods in 1973 and 1974. His father, Mitch Seavey has completed in several races and has won 3 times.   Dallas has been competing in the Iditarod since he turned 18 and completed in the Junior Iditarod as well before becoming the youngest musher to complete.  He has won the race 5 times and is currently eyeing his 6th win, which would be a record for the event. He did incur a 2 hour penalty earlier in the race due to not properly gutting a moose he shot while en route to protect his dogs after they were attacked. Despite that he has checked in to Ophir along with 7 other mushers. 

Join us later tomorrow for some more facts about the Iditarod and we will look at the last musher on the route as well and why that is significant to the race as well an an update on our mushers!

[MediacomErin]

Good morning to my favorite dog sled fans! 

This morning we are going to talk about the Red Lantern Award and why it is an iconic tradition within the Iditarod. The Red Lantern Award is given to the last musher to cross the finish line. It started as a joke during 1953 Fur Rendezvous Race and about 20 years later was adopted by the modern Iditarod as a symbol of hope, determination, and perseverance. This Award is considered a great honor and given the challenges of the race itself as well as any unforeseen/unique challenges that can arise from year to year, is always well deserved by the final musher to finish the race. It truly embodies the spirit of the race and everything it has come to represent since it's inauguration. 

[MediacomErin]

Hello again Iditarod fans! 

A winner has been declared! Dallas Seavey reached Nome and now has clocked his record 6th victory in the Iditarod. He finished the race in 9 days, 16 hours, and 2 minutes! Now if you rememeber earlier on, Dallas was also given a 2 hour penalty for not properly gutting a moose that attacked his team on the trail. Despite that, he still finished first!

Coming in second is musher Matt Hall and team. Third place was awarded to Jesse Holmes and 4th place went to Jeff Deeter!  We will continue to follow this race until the last musher crosses the finish line!