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Alaska Iditarod Trail Dog Sled Race And Beautiful Alaskan Terrain
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Published: July 23, 2007
The Iditarod is called the "Last Great Race on Earth" for good reasons; the strength, stamina and determination needed to finish this sled dog race is incredible. Each team consists of one musher and 12-16 dogs that must make their way along the Iditarod trail from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. The teams travel over 1,150 miles with temperatures well below freezing through challenging and varied terrain.
Because of its difficulty, anyone who finishes the race is given a hero's welcome when they reach Nome. Even the person who finishes last is called the "Red Lantern" winner.
The National Historic Iditarod Trail is actually a network of 2,300 miles of trails. The race varies its course every other year, going to the Northern area of the trails one year and to the Southern side of the network the next. The name Iditarod comes from an Athabascan Indian Village that was located on the Iditarod river. The trails were originally used to take mail and supplies from the Alaskan cities to mining towns. The first Iditarod race was run in 1973, commemorating the efforts of past mushers that kept the small towns of Alaska alive.
The Iditarod trail leads the dog sled race participants through mountains and dense forest, over frozen rivers and desolate tundra. They face long hours of darkness and hurricane force winds that can obscure vision. Finishing the trail takes more than strong character and determination. It takes hours of planning and training. Some teams start preparing an entire year in advance to get the funding and gear needed for such an expedition. Each dog sled team must carry an arctic parka, a heavy sleeping bag, an ax, snowshoes, and food for the musher and dogs. The dogs must all have boots to help prevent injuries to their feet from sharp ice and hard packed snow. Mushers have individualized plans and schedules for training, feeding, and snacking the dogs.
Dogs cannot be forced to run - in reality they could stop at any moment and refuse to go any farther. The dogs need to have a good relationship with the musher for them to want to keep working under the harsh conditions of the trail. Trust is built between dogs and handler through hundreds of hours and hundreds of miles of training. Without amazing dogs that are as determined and hard-working as their trainers, there would be no dog sled race.
Lance Mackey is the man who finished first in the 2007 Iditarod. Because of low snow levels, it was considered one of the most difficult races in Iditarod history. Stumps, trees, rocks, and other obstacles that were usually covered by snow caused the competitors extra difficulty with the terrain. Several mushers broke bones and two teams missed a turn and ended up going 40 miles out of their way. When the lost mushers finally reached the next checkpoint, both teams dropped out of the race. Mackey was not fazed, however, and was credited with an unusual positive attitude at the checkpoints. He seemed relaxed with his dogs and cheerfully energetic. His strength and good attitude helped him through the difficulties of the trail to arrive in Nome first.
The Iditarod deserves its reputation as "The Last Great Race on Earth." It takes tremendous effort, both before and during the race, for any team to have the training and mental stamina needed to finish all 1,150 miles of the trail. Developing a healthy, strong relationship between musher and dogs is essential for success. A good strong personality, proper supplies, and a well-executed plan help all the participants, from the first one across the finish line to the "Red Lantern" winner.
Sources:
The Historic Iditarod Trail. The USDA Forest Service. Sept. 1988. 4 July 2007.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/chugach/seward/rec/trai ls/iditarod_info.htm
Little, Jon. "Welcome to the Tundra." Cabela's Iditarod 2007 Race Coverage. 28 March 2007. Cabela's, Inc. 4 July 2007. http://www.cabelasiditarod.com/coverage_2007/cov07 _mar28_01.html.
Learn About the Iditarod. The Official Site of the Iditarod. 2007. Iditarod Trail Committee, Inc. 4 July 2007. http://www.iditarod.com/learn/
Related Articles
The National Historic Iditarod Trail is actually a network of 2,300 miles of trails. The race varies its course every other year, going to the Northern area of the trails one year and to the Southern side of the network the next. The name Iditarod comes from an Athabascan Indian Village that was located on the Iditarod river. The trails were originally used to take mail and supplies from the Alaskan cities to mining towns. The first Iditarod race was run in 1973, commemorating the efforts of past mushers that kept the small towns of Alaska alive.
The Iditarod trail leads the dog sled race participants through mountains and dense forest, over frozen rivers and desolate tundra. They face long hours of darkness and hurricane force winds that can obscure vision. Finishing the trail takes more than strong character and determination. It takes hours of planning and training. Some teams start preparing an entire year in advance to get the funding and gear needed for such an expedition. Each dog sled team must carry an arctic parka, a heavy sleeping bag, an ax, snowshoes, and food for the musher and dogs. The dogs must all have boots to help prevent injuries to their feet from sharp ice and hard packed snow. Mushers have individualized plans and schedules for training, feeding, and snacking the dogs.
Dogs cannot be forced to run - in reality they could stop at any moment and refuse to go any farther. The dogs need to have a good relationship with the musher for them to want to keep working under the harsh conditions of the trail. Trust is built between dogs and handler through hundreds of hours and hundreds of miles of training. Without amazing dogs that are as determined and hard-working as their trainers, there would be no dog sled race.
Lance Mackey is the man who finished first in the 2007 Iditarod. Because of low snow levels, it was considered one of the most difficult races in Iditarod history. Stumps, trees, rocks, and other obstacles that were usually covered by snow caused the competitors extra difficulty with the terrain. Several mushers broke bones and two teams missed a turn and ended up going 40 miles out of their way. When the lost mushers finally reached the next checkpoint, both teams dropped out of the race. Mackey was not fazed, however, and was credited with an unusual positive attitude at the checkpoints. He seemed relaxed with his dogs and cheerfully energetic. His strength and good attitude helped him through the difficulties of the trail to arrive in Nome first.
The Iditarod deserves its reputation as "The Last Great Race on Earth." It takes tremendous effort, both before and during the race, for any team to have the training and mental stamina needed to finish all 1,150 miles of the trail. Developing a healthy, strong relationship between musher and dogs is essential for success. A good strong personality, proper supplies, and a well-executed plan help all the participants, from the first one across the finish line to the "Red Lantern" winner.
Sources:
The Historic Iditarod Trail. The USDA Forest Service. Sept. 1988. 4 July 2007.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/chugach/seward/rec/trai ls/iditarod_info.htm
Little, Jon. "Welcome to the Tundra." Cabela's Iditarod 2007 Race Coverage. 28 March 2007. Cabela's, Inc. 4 July 2007. http://www.cabelasiditarod.com/coverage_2007/cov07 _mar28_01.html.
Learn About the Iditarod. The Official Site of the Iditarod. 2007. Iditarod Trail Committee, Inc. 4 July 2007. http://www.iditarod.com/learn/
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