IDITAROD IDITAROD

Interactive Unit Interactive Unit

OfOf

FUN!!!FUN!!!

How it got started?:How it got started?:

• 1925-Diptheria Epidemic hit Nome• Serum needed• No roads• 18 dog teams and mushers relayed 674 miles

• 1973- Joe Redington Sr. keep history alive

• Now: WORLD’s Premiere Sled Dog Race

Where Does the Race Run?Where Does the Race Run?

• Start: ANCHORAGE, Alaska

• End: NOME, Alaska

Crosses

• AK mtn range Rainy Pass (3500ft)

• AK interior to meet Yukon River

• Take 1 of 2 routes (Northern/Southern)

• Runs ONTO Yukon river (frozen)

• Over Bering Sea Coast (frozen)

How Many Miles?How Many Miles?

• Officially: 1,049 (49th state)

• Usually somewhere around 1,100 miles

How Many Starts?How Many Starts?

• Ceremonial Start:– Anchorage, AK to Campbell Airstrip (20 mi)

• Publicity/Coverage• “Idita-rider”

• Restart/OFFICIAL Start: Willow, AK– Safety

*Seward was the real start, but can’t now

Mushers?Mushers?• Must be 18 yrs old (Dallas Seavey)

• No upper limit: oldest 88

• Must complete Qualifying races

• Can be Male or Female

• US or other

• Veteran “ran before”

• Rookie “1st time in IDITAROD”

• Willing to pay $4000 !!!

How Many days?How Many days?

• shortest: 8 days 22 hours (Buser)

• Longest: 32 days!!

• Average: 11-14 days

• Winner: 68,000 plus TRUCK

• Red Lantern: last musher to cross finish

• Everyone gets at least $1,049

AWARDSAWARDS• Winner: $68,000 plus TRUCK

• Top 30 finishers ranked winnings

• Everyone finishes gets at least $1,049

• Red Lantern: last musher to finish

• Others: ½ way, Ruby, Cripple, Sportsmanship, Humanitarian, Rookie of Year, Most Inspirational,

Closest race?Closest race?

• 1978:

• Dick Mackey and Rick Swenson

• By 1 second!!!

CheckpointsCheckpoints

• 22 checkpoints– Activity center– Food for dogs/musher– Resting spot– Veterinarians

• Average distance = 60 miles

MANDATORY stopsMANDATORY stops

• 24 hour anywhere along trail

(Usually 300-600 miles into race)

• 8 hour stop- along Yukon River

• 8 hour stop- White Mountain

All start at same time?All start at same time?

• NO

• 2 minute intervals

• Common Start Differential Rule:– Every team except LAST to start must be

delayed for the exact amount of each teams head start. Added to 24 hour rest stop.

How get starting place?How get starting place?

• Draw number from boot 2 days before race

• Get to pick number based on the time signed up for the race.

How about the Dogs?How about the Dogs?• Alaskan Husky, Siberian Husky, Malamute

• They LOVE to run

• Loyal and friendly

• Cold weather tolerant (best +10 to -20 F)

• Longevity: 17 years

• Max team: 16 dogs Min: 5 dogs

• Dropped Dogs

• Dog in basket

Now……Now……

LET’s

get

STARTED!!!

Let the COMPETITION

Begin!!

WEBSITEs:WEBSITEs:

www.iditarod.com

http://www.adn.com/iditarod/