Iditarod
Seeing Double Iditarod Race Record:
2024: Anna, 21st Place, 10 days, 22 hours, 24 minutes 1 second 2023: Kristy, 21st Place, 10 days, 23 hours, 50 minutes 50 seconds Anna, 22nd Place, 10 days, 23 hours, 51 minutes, 6 seconds 2022: Anna, 23rd Place, 10 days, 8 hours, 44 minutes, 26 seconds Kristy, 24th Place, 10 days, 8 hours, 45 minutes 2021: Kristy, 22nd Place, 9 days, 4 hours, 3 minutes Anna, 24th Place, 9 days, 4 hours, 13 minutes (Gold Trail Loop) 2020: Both twins opted to scratch in Unalakleet. Tough year! 2019: Kristy, 16th Place, 10 days, 23 hours, 4 minutes, 48 seconds.* Anna, 17th Place, 10 days, 23 hours, 5 minutes, 15 seconds.* 2018: Anna, 22nd Place, 10 days, 21 hours, 44 minutes, 20 seconds. Kristy, 36th Place, 11 days, 16 hours, 8 minutes, 55 seconds. 2017: Kristy, 40th Place, 10 days, 2 hours, 29 minutes, 53 seconds.* Anna, 41st Place, 10 days, 2 hours, 30 minutes, 14 seconds.* 2016: Kristy, 39th Place, 10 days, 13 hours, 58 minutes, 14 seconds. Anna, 40th Place, 10 days, 13 hours, 58 minutes, 27 seconds. 2015: Anna, 28th Place, 10 days, 11 hours, 6 minutes, 33 seconds. Kristy, 29th Place, 10 days, 11 hours, 10 minutes, 50 seconds. 2014: Kristy, 30th Place, 10 days, 19 hours, 20 minutes, 26 seconds. Anna: 39th Place, 11 days, 14 hours, 15 minutes, 22 seconds. 2013: Kristy, 42nd Place. 11 days, 7 hours, 7 minutes, 17 seconds. Anna, 43rd Place. 11 days, 7 hours, 7 minutes, 53 seconds. 2012: Anna, 43rd Place. 12 days, 2 hours, 16 minutes, 30 seconds (Rookie Run). Kristy, 44th Place. 12 days, 2 hours, 17 minutes, 13 seconds. 2011: Kristy, 29th Place. 10 days, 20 hours, 2 minutes, 47 seconds. 2010: Kristy, 39th Place. 11 days, 6 hours, 44 minutes, 2 seconds (Rookie Run). * Bold type indicates a personal record for either finishing place or time (excluding 2021 for the shortened Gold Trail Loop). |
Anna, Moocha, & Kristy in White Mountain during Iditarod 2022
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Anna & Zwicklebier under the Burled Arch after Iditarod 2023. Photo by Karen Muir.
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Wlbur, Kristy, & Rampage at the finish of Iditarod 2023. Photo by Andy Pohl.
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Iditarod History
What is known today as the Iditarod Trail was largely developed during the late 1800s and early 1900s in the heyday of the Alaskan Gold Rush. Dogs had long been used by indigenous people for work on small family farms and transportation across the rugged, undeveloped Alaska interior. But it was the gold rush era that really made dog sledding a popular staple of Alaskan life, as dog teams were used to get people, mail, and supplies to remote settlements and the resulting gold back out during the winter months. The introduction and increased use of both airplanes and snowmobiles in the 1920s, however, began to decrease the everyday reliance on dog sledding.
Despite this encroaching modernity, Alaskans were given a final, poignant reminder of the utility of dog sledding during the winter of 1925 when a Diphtheria epidemic hit the icebound town of Nome. With the closest serum hundreds of miles away in Anchorage and no pilots or planes capable of making the winter flight available, residents were left with one option ~ dog sled. While the life-saving serum was loaded onto the newly completed Alaska Railroad in Anchorage for shipment as far as possible, word was spread and dog teams were made ready to cover the bulk of the journey. In what amounted to a Pony Express-style relay of dog teams, villages along the route rallied around their best musher and his team to make sure the serum made it safely along their section of trail. After nearly 6 days and with the help of some 20 mushers and their dog teams, the precious serum covered the almost 700 miles from where the train tracks ended to Nome. Hundreds of lives were saved and the miraculous serum run received worldwide attention.
Despite this encroaching modernity, Alaskans were given a final, poignant reminder of the utility of dog sledding during the winter of 1925 when a Diphtheria epidemic hit the icebound town of Nome. With the closest serum hundreds of miles away in Anchorage and no pilots or planes capable of making the winter flight available, residents were left with one option ~ dog sled. While the life-saving serum was loaded onto the newly completed Alaska Railroad in Anchorage for shipment as far as possible, word was spread and dog teams were made ready to cover the bulk of the journey. In what amounted to a Pony Express-style relay of dog teams, villages along the route rallied around their best musher and his team to make sure the serum made it safely along their section of trail. After nearly 6 days and with the help of some 20 mushers and their dog teams, the precious serum covered the almost 700 miles from where the train tracks ended to Nome. Hundreds of lives were saved and the miraculous serum run received worldwide attention.
A statue was erected in New York City's Central Park shortly after the historic "serum run" to Nome in 1925. It is a likeness of Balto, the lead dog of musher Gunnar Kaasen's team. Balto is credited with leading his team through a powerful blizzard along the last leg of trail into Nome. He also stands as tribute to all the dogs and mushers that made the epic, life-saving journey possible.
Leonhard Seppala and his long-time lead dog, Togo, were also tantamount to the serum run's success. At 12 years of age, Togo already boasted an impressive career for a 1920s Siberian Husky, but that wasn't going to stop Seppala and Togo from taking on the first leg of the serum run. They were the first team to carry the serum after the train tracks ended and did so for 261 miles, nearly twice the distance it was carried by any subsequent team.
Seppala and Togo are too often omitted from Serum Run lore, at least outside of the mushing world. To keep their memories alive, the Iditarod Trail Committee presents the prestigious Humanitarian Award in their honor each year.
Seppala and Togo are too often omitted from Serum Run lore, at least outside of the mushing world. To keep their memories alive, the Iditarod Trail Committee presents the prestigious Humanitarian Award in their honor each year.
Despite the press coverage on the serum run, dog sledding as an integral part of Alaska's transportation system was at an end. It wasn't until the late 1960s that dog sledding enjoyed a popular revival, thanks in large part to Dorothy G. Page. She was working on projects to help Alaska celebrate its Centennial in 1967 when she became more interested in Alaska's early development and the things that made it possible. Integral to that development was the sled dog, and from there a vision of the Iditarod was born. A sled dog race covering roughly 1,100 miles across Alaska's interior, from Anchorage to Nome, along the same wilderness highway used for decades. Dorothy found real support of her idea in Joe Redington, Sr., so much so that the latter became known as the 'father of the Iditarod'. Together they worked to bring their dream to life.
The Iditarod has been run each year since 1973 and has included a ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage since 1983. The fastest Iditarod was run in 2017 by Mitch Seavey in 8 days, 3 hours, 40 minutes, and 13 seconds. In the early years, a couple winners needed over 20 days to claim first place. The last official musher into Nome is known as the Red Lantern and John Schultz first claimed the honor in 1973 after just over 32 days on the trail! Recent Red Lanterns have crossed under the burled arch in Nome after little more than 13 days.
Regardless of how long it takes (within some race limitations), it is an amazing accomplishment for both musher and dog team.
Weather
A musher and his or her dog team must be ready to encounter a wide range of weather conditions on the Iditarod trail. Some times, particularly in recent years, temperatures can hover around freezing (32 degrees F). Although this can prove more comfortable for the mushers, it comes with its own problems... The dogs are bred to withstand cold temperatures, and are typically most comfortable themselves at or below 0 degrees F, especially when racing. Excessively warm temps (at least, by race standards) can impact a dog's willingness to run, appetite, and stamina. Warm weather changes hydration and nutrition needs which can increase muscle cramping. Mushers will often change strategy when conditions are too warm, opting to run primarily at night to avoid the added warmth of the daytime sun. For the 2015 race, officials had to make a major strategy change and move the official race restart from Willow to Fairbanks, as warm conditions had completely destroyed trail conditions over the first third of the traditional route.
And then there is the other extreme. The kind of cold that most people have only read about, and few can really imagine. Snow, ice, blizzards, gale force winds, white out conditions. Ambient air temperature dipping to 40 degrees F below zero, or even lower.
And then there is the other extreme. The kind of cold that most people have only read about, and few can really imagine. Snow, ice, blizzards, gale force winds, white out conditions. Ambient air temperature dipping to 40 degrees F below zero, or even lower.
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How bad can it get out there? The coldest temperature ever recorded on the Iditarod trail during a race was in 1973 when the temp with wind chill dipped to an unfathomable -130 degrees F. The 2015 race saw some of the coldest conditions of recent memory, as witnessed by the twins' thermometer... And remember, that won't include the frigid impact of wind chill.
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Trail Highlights
The Iditarod trail covers roughly 1,100 miles from Anchorage to Nome. Although a few changes have been made over the years, the race trail follows the historic trail the vast majority of the time. In the center of the race route, there is a northern path (followed in even years) and a southern path (followed in odd years). The northern route was the original route when the race was first started, but within a few years it was decided to build in the alternate southern route. This was done to give the small, northern villages a bi-annual reprieve from the impact of the race, to facilitate the race running every other year through the historic (now ghost) town of Iditarod (which is on the southern route), and allows the 3 other villages on the southern route to participate in the event. There are 24 checkpoints on the northern route and 25 on the southern (not counting Golovin which is displayed on the trail map but not technically an official checkpoint). Challenging weather conditions have also mandated the restart of the race be moved to Fairbanks, which happened most recently in 2017.
To view all three maps of the routes run during the Iditarod, as well as distances between checkpoints, please visit the Race Map page at Iditarod.com.
To view all three maps of the routes run during the Iditarod, as well as distances between checkpoints, please visit the Race Map page at Iditarod.com.
Regardless of the year, today the race always starts in downtown Anchorage with a Ceremonial Start on a Saturday in early March. Truckloads of snow are brought in to cover a stretch of the paved city streets, essentially making for a sled dog parade. Hundreds of spectators will line the approximately 11 mile route offering encouragement and, in a couple of spots, muffins or hotdogs. To keep things safe for spectators and mushers alike, each team must have a 2nd musher with them (either riding on the runners of the main sled or behind the main sled in a "tag" or "whip" sled) to assist in case of mishap, and the teams consist of only 12 dogs (rather than the full team of 16 dogs that will depart for Nome at the restart). In addition, each main sled has another passenger, an Iditarider, who participated in and won an auction for the privilege of riding in the sled.
Although there are rules that must be followed, this first section of trail does not count towards a musher's official race time. And it can prove to be an interesting exercise... Dogs not used to the crowds can get spooked, and there are a couple of culverts and bridges that dogs aren't used to seeing on a wilderness trail that can make them balk. There are also a few tricky spots on this section of trail that are notorious for causing a couple of spilled sleds each year.
Once the teams reach the Campbell Airstrip, the dogs and gear are packed back up and teams have one more night in civilization before driving to Willow the following day for the official race restart.
The starting line for the official restart in Willow.
It is all business for the mushers and handlers at this point, and the dogs can feel the excitement and know a race is about to start. There are a series of last minutes checks, both by vets and race officials, and by the mushers themselves. And then, in 2 minute intervals, they're off!!
There are too many sections of trail and too many checkpoints to review them all here, so we strongly encourage interested readers to visit the Iditarod's main page and read about the various sections of trail as the teams encounter them.
Race Rules
The following is a condensed overview of some key rules, as taken from the official 2012 Rule guide (with a few updates).
Regarding the musher:
- Must be 18 or older, free of drugs and alcohol (before and during the race), and have never been convicted of animal abuse or neglect.
- The musher must be found to have met the experience qualifications set forth by the race committee, including prior race mileage (obtainable in a variety of ways, but basically amounting to 750 miles). The musher must have "deomonstrated the necessary physical and mental aptitude and preparedness, as well as the necessary wilderness and mushing skills."
- Must personally sign in at each checkpoint before continuing and sign both in and out at checkpoints with mandatory stops.
- There are 3 mandatory stops ~ one 24 hour stop that can be taken at any checkpoint but should be at one that is most beneficial for the dogs; one 8 hour stop that must be taken on the Yukon; and one 8 hour stop at White Mountain.
- There are some choices with regard to the sled, but it must be capable of carrying, under cover if conditions warrant, any fatigured or injured dogs as well equipment and food. A total of 3 sleds can be used during the race; 2 of those may be shipped ahead to other checkpoints. Ski poles are ok, but don't get fancy with sails or wheels!
- Additional mandatory gear: cold weather sleeping bag, ax, snowshoes, 8 booties per dog in the sled or in harness, a cooker and pot, adequate fuel to bring 3 galloons of water to boil, cable or gangline capable of securing the dog team, Veterinarian log book, and any race promotional material (like the race-provided GPS tracker).
- The musher must act in a sportsmanlike manner and will not be penalized for assisting another musher in an emergency.
- No litter! Keep Alaska and the Iditarod Trail green.
- Should an encounter with an edible game animal necessitate it be killed in defense of life or property, the animal must be gutted (with the assistance of any other musher to come along) and the incident reported at the next checkpoint.
- No two-way communication devices, cell phones, or personal GPS trackers.
Regarding the dog team:
- Teams will consist of 12 to 16 dogs at the start and must cross the finish with a minimum of 5 dogs in harness. (Note: Between 2019 and 29023, mushers were allowed a maximum of 14 dogs at the start.) No dogs may be added after the re-start. Mushers must reach the next checkpoint with the same number of dogs he or she departed the prior checkpoint with, even if one or more are riding in the sled basket. Dogs of any concern may only be "returned" or "dropped" at a checkpoint and left in capable care.
- Absolutely no cruel or inhumane treatment of a dog will be tolerated. This is defined as any treatment that "involves any action or inaction, which causes preventable pain or suffering to a dog."
- All dogs must be microchipped, current on vaccinations, pass the pre-race vet check, and be free of any prohibited drugs or substances. The Chief Veterinarian has the right to deny entry to any dog that has an abnormality which may predispose it to risk of injury.
- As previously noted, mushers must have 8 booties per dog with them at all times. Non-chafing harnesses are also required. Mushers must leave each checkpoint with adequate emergency dog food in addition to routine meals and snacks.
- The Veterinary log book must be presented at each checkpoint to provide for continuous tracking of each dogs' well being and must be signed at each checkpoint by the vet as well as the musher.
- Every effort is made to ensure no dog expires during or due to the race, but sadly some things - although rare - are unforeseeable and unpreventable. Extensive rules exist to thoroughly investigate the passing of any dog to identify or rule out cruel or inhumane treatment.
Awards
A cash purse of $500,000 will be shared among the top 20 finishers (2019). All other official finishers 21st and later will receive $1,049 (yep, that's basically $1 per mile!). Additional awards are also presented for:
Golden Harness (for outstanding, although not necessarily the champion, lead dog or dogs)
Sportsmanship Award
Humanitarian Award
First to the Gold Coast, the halfway point, and to the Yukon (3 separate awards)
Fastest time from Safety to Nome
Spirit of Alaska
Musher's Choice (recognizing inspiration on the trail)
Herbie Nayokpuk Memorial Award (recognizing unwavering enthusiasm in the spirit of the award's namesake)
Rookie of the Year
Most Improved Musher
Red Lantern (last official finisher)
Golden Stethoscope (presented to an outstanding race veterinarian)
Golden Clipboard (volunteer or race organizer)
Best Checkpoint
Regarding the musher:
- Must be 18 or older, free of drugs and alcohol (before and during the race), and have never been convicted of animal abuse or neglect.
- The musher must be found to have met the experience qualifications set forth by the race committee, including prior race mileage (obtainable in a variety of ways, but basically amounting to 750 miles). The musher must have "deomonstrated the necessary physical and mental aptitude and preparedness, as well as the necessary wilderness and mushing skills."
- Must personally sign in at each checkpoint before continuing and sign both in and out at checkpoints with mandatory stops.
- There are 3 mandatory stops ~ one 24 hour stop that can be taken at any checkpoint but should be at one that is most beneficial for the dogs; one 8 hour stop that must be taken on the Yukon; and one 8 hour stop at White Mountain.
- There are some choices with regard to the sled, but it must be capable of carrying, under cover if conditions warrant, any fatigured or injured dogs as well equipment and food. A total of 3 sleds can be used during the race; 2 of those may be shipped ahead to other checkpoints. Ski poles are ok, but don't get fancy with sails or wheels!
- Additional mandatory gear: cold weather sleeping bag, ax, snowshoes, 8 booties per dog in the sled or in harness, a cooker and pot, adequate fuel to bring 3 galloons of water to boil, cable or gangline capable of securing the dog team, Veterinarian log book, and any race promotional material (like the race-provided GPS tracker).
- The musher must act in a sportsmanlike manner and will not be penalized for assisting another musher in an emergency.
- No litter! Keep Alaska and the Iditarod Trail green.
- Should an encounter with an edible game animal necessitate it be killed in defense of life or property, the animal must be gutted (with the assistance of any other musher to come along) and the incident reported at the next checkpoint.
- No two-way communication devices, cell phones, or personal GPS trackers.
Regarding the dog team:
- Teams will consist of 12 to 16 dogs at the start and must cross the finish with a minimum of 5 dogs in harness. (Note: Between 2019 and 29023, mushers were allowed a maximum of 14 dogs at the start.) No dogs may be added after the re-start. Mushers must reach the next checkpoint with the same number of dogs he or she departed the prior checkpoint with, even if one or more are riding in the sled basket. Dogs of any concern may only be "returned" or "dropped" at a checkpoint and left in capable care.
- Absolutely no cruel or inhumane treatment of a dog will be tolerated. This is defined as any treatment that "involves any action or inaction, which causes preventable pain or suffering to a dog."
- All dogs must be microchipped, current on vaccinations, pass the pre-race vet check, and be free of any prohibited drugs or substances. The Chief Veterinarian has the right to deny entry to any dog that has an abnormality which may predispose it to risk of injury.
- As previously noted, mushers must have 8 booties per dog with them at all times. Non-chafing harnesses are also required. Mushers must leave each checkpoint with adequate emergency dog food in addition to routine meals and snacks.
- The Veterinary log book must be presented at each checkpoint to provide for continuous tracking of each dogs' well being and must be signed at each checkpoint by the vet as well as the musher.
- Every effort is made to ensure no dog expires during or due to the race, but sadly some things - although rare - are unforeseeable and unpreventable. Extensive rules exist to thoroughly investigate the passing of any dog to identify or rule out cruel or inhumane treatment.
Awards
A cash purse of $500,000 will be shared among the top 20 finishers (2019). All other official finishers 21st and later will receive $1,049 (yep, that's basically $1 per mile!). Additional awards are also presented for:
Golden Harness (for outstanding, although not necessarily the champion, lead dog or dogs)
Sportsmanship Award
Humanitarian Award
First to the Gold Coast, the halfway point, and to the Yukon (3 separate awards)
Fastest time from Safety to Nome
Spirit of Alaska
Musher's Choice (recognizing inspiration on the trail)
Herbie Nayokpuk Memorial Award (recognizing unwavering enthusiasm in the spirit of the award's namesake)
Rookie of the Year
Most Improved Musher
Red Lantern (last official finisher)
Golden Stethoscope (presented to an outstanding race veterinarian)
Golden Clipboard (volunteer or race organizer)
Best Checkpoint
