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Researched by Lily-Anne H.
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Definition
The Iditarod is a world famous sled dog race over a 1,049 mile course
of Alaskan territory. The course was once was an old mail route from
the Gold Rush Era. This was once a race to save the lives of Nome.
It is now a memorial of that event and for your own entertainment.
The History
All-Alaskan Sweepstakes
Back in Alaska during the Gold Rush Era most miners used dog sleds
to get where they were going. It took too long to walk and vehicles
were not ready for the far north. So dog sled was the best bet, plus
they could carry equipment and amounts of gold if any was found.
The gold rush had attracted a Russian named Allan Alexander. Often
the men in town would boast about their dogs and Allan simply said, “how
about you prove it.” Eventually this race “to prove it” turned into
the All- Alaskan Sweepstakes. This is an inspirational speech by
the lawyer and dog-lover Mr. Albert Fink at the end of the first All-Alaskan
Sweepstakes.
“As I see it, such races will become permanent here in Nome. We all know what an important part dogs have contributed to the development of Alaska, how dependent we are up here on them for transportation. I propose that we establish a Kennel Club, the purpose of which will be to improve the strains of Alaska dogs, and to better their conditions. The Annual All-Alaskan Sweepstakes races…will serve to prove which dogs are best. I predict that dog racing in Alaska will prove as a popular a sport as horse racing in Kentucky.”
This race was one of the biggest events in Alaska after the Gold rush, until World War I and II got in the way. Soon enough the Iditarod would take its place.
The Serum Run
After the Word Wars everything went back to normal in Nome until two
Eskimo children came down with a deadly case of Diphtheria or to the people
in Nome, “Black Death”. Unfortunately, this disease is very contagious
and was capable of wiping out Nome entirely. Adding to the
bad luck the doctor did have the serum, but it was old and was pretty useless.
It was the only chance. A telegram was sent to Anchorage to send
serum to Nome. Cars were not ready for that far north; there was
a bad storm in Anchorage so planes couldn’t leave the city. The railroad
would only reach Nenana, and dogsled they were afraid would be too slow.
So they decided to send the serum by train to Nenana, then two fast teams
would carry it the rest of the way. One of the men chosen was Leonhard
Seppela, a favorite in the All-Alaskan Sweepstakes. Seppela
immediately left to the halfway point to pick up the serum and return to
Nome. Soon people realized how slow it would take for only two teams
to take the serum so a quick change was made, more teams would carry the
serum and there would be smaller lengths to travel. Seppela was unaware
of this change, as he was traveling. While he was doing so, the many
other teams had taken a quick lead. Seppela passed one of the
teams, (remember he did not know of this change). Then a voice yelled
back “Serum!” And Seppela quickly turned around. He agreed
to take the serum to Dalton Roadhouse. But Seppela had one big decision,
whether to cross Norton Bay or to take the safe and slow on land route.
It didn’t take long to decide to take the shortcut. It was dangerous
but they accomplished the task. Nome was saved.
The Iditarod
After the Serum Run the dog sledding sport vanished. Joe Redington
was one of the few people still interested in the sport. One other
interested person was Dorothy Page. She had always enjoyed watching
those who still did participate in the sport. She had a wish to bring
back the sport by a big race, but never really thought too much of it.
Joe was dreaming of having the sport coming back to Alaska just as Dorothy
Page wanted to have a major race, and dog sledding was one kind she liked
the sound of. Later, she proposed such a race in 1966 and Joe loved the
idea and followed her lead.
Soon, they had gotten some people together to race from Anchorage to Iditarod the deserted town. Everyone said, “Where the heck is Iditarod?” So Joe quickly changed to finish in Nome just like the Serum Run. The race took place and several dog deaths were reported. People wrote to Joe and Dorothy telling them if they couldn’t stop the deaths to close down. But they still kept going. Soon enough the dog deaths stopped and mushers wanted to race again and again. In 1974 Redington placed a musher poll asking if they wanted to see another race. The mushers instantly said yes even if the purse wasn’t the very big. Redington says it was official after hearing the responses in 1974. The next year a sponsor pledged a huge purse of $50,000. The Iditarod was on its way to becoming world famous.
In 1976 the Iditarod Trail Committee Board of Directors asked Joe to postpone the race for two years to advance the dog care. Joe immediately said “No” thinking that long of a postpone meant would kill the race. After 1974 Joe was confident to keep it going at all costs. He didn’t postpone the race but he sure improved the dog care in the next two years. The race was on the rage. It was the event of the year in Alaska, northwestern states and Europe. Every one who loved dogs loved the Iditarod, just as Joe had wanted. “The dream is real, thanks to the spirit, foresight, and determination of an adventurer named Joe Redington Sr.” -IDITAROD: The Great Race to Nome, by Bill Sherwant.
The Dogs
Breeds
Many different things are needed in a sled dog. They need to
be strong sleek, small and very powerful. Some of the most common
breeds are Alaskan Husky, and the Siberian husky, which were brought to
Alaska from Russia by an All-Alaskan Sweepstakes musher. Not all
dogs have the perfect qualities like these ones do, so mushers and dog
kennels will breed new dogs like the Targhee Hound, which is a cross of
Staghound and Irish setter. The Quebec hound is also like that; they
are a cross of the Staghound and Native Quebec dogs. Some pure breeds
are the Alaskan malamute, Samoyed, Irish Setters, Dalmatians and even the
American Coon and Fox hounds. Though there are many different breeds
these are the most common ones.
Training
You need to start training the dogs while they are young. Then
the will have been “born into the sport” and learn this is their job.
It will also build very strong dogs. The dogs must be eager to learn
a percentage of the time. While they grow you need to start small,
if you put ten pounds in the basket of the sled the first or second time
training, the dogs won’t understand what to do. Start small and let
them run, eventually pull a light sled, give commands with heavier sled
and so forth. You must also practice in areas that will be on the
trail (frozen rivers, mountains, hills, forests etc.). If this is
not done in the Iditarod the dogs won’t understand to go slower on rivers
or faster on hills.
Commands
Commands must be used for the dogs. If not you may be off trail
and miss a checkpoint and end up going backwards. Some of the commands
are listed here. Hike means to go forward or to star. Haw is
to go left. Gee is right. Whoa is like any other sport involving
animals, stop. Easy, is to slow down the dogs’ speed. Trail,
is when a musher is close behind you and has the right away, so for the
dogs, pull over. One of the last commands is Straight Ahead, which
means for the dogs to take the trail right in front of them, if there are
two alternating routes, in other words Southern Route, and Northern Route.
There are plenty more commands but these are the main ones, Hike, Haw,
Gee, Whoa. Easy, Trail, and Straight Ahead.
Placing
The dogs can’t be placed just anywhere in front of the sled. Certain
dogs have certain strengths. The dogs are placed in rows of two.
The Wheel Dogs are directly in front of the sled. They have very
strong hind legs, and larger than the others because they help turn the
team and sled. They are especially useful on the sharp turns. The
Point Dogs are right behind the leaders. They are very supportive
of the team. The Leaders are in the very front and are in charge
right after the musher. The leaders are usually familiar with the
trails, and will help stay on course. The Swing Dogs are all the
dogs in between the Wheel Dogs and Point Dogs. They are usually called
Swing 1,2,and 3, from front to back.
Dog Care
There are different vets every year who are stationed at checkpoints
who will check the dog teams for strong bodies to certain if a dog needs
to be dropped. The dogs’ feet are the most important body part and
are very fragile. To protect the dog’s feet the mushers and outfitters
will make little booties, like dog shoes with straps. If any abuse
occurs the Chief Veterinarian has permission to disqualify the musher and
to ban him or her from the race for life. If a dog is hurt along
the trail it must be removed from the team and put into the sled’s dog
basket or penalties will be given. Once a dog is taken out of the
team it cannot be replaced. The dog is dropped off at a checkpoint
and will be shipped for further pick up.
Types of Racing
Distance Racing
Distance racing is when (as the name says) racing a great distance.
This race can be from 25 miles up to 150 miles. The musher and dogs
must like to spend a long time on the trail. The dogs must be ready
to run for a long time and must be able to stop once in a while but not
every mile or two. The dogs must have energy, plenty, no, tons of
eagerness to run and energy enough to do so. The Iditarod is the
Biggest Distance race ever attempted.
Speed Racing
Speed racing is running a short or long distance but it needs to have
fast dogs. This is the most popular type of race. The dogs
also must have tons of energy and eagerness to run the distance, and to
run it fast. The sled is very light and streamlined. The race
is divided into classes depending on the amount of dogs going to race.
For an example an 8-dog class has 7 or 8 dogs in the team. The Iditarod
is also in this category of racing.
Gig Racing
Gig racing is done when there is no snow on the ground and mushers
use a replacement sled called a gig or rig. The Gig is a cart on
three wheels that is shaped like a sled and a car. The Gig is usually
used on pavement, gravel, or dirt. It can sometimes work on grass.
The best place is a pavement track. It works nearly perfectly
for a substitute.
Weight Pulling
In this race a single dog is required to pull cargo for only 16 feet,
and it has a minute to do so. No baiting can occur or you would be
disqualified. The dogs must be strong. A weak dog obviously
would not do well. In this race puppies can not compete.
There is also a lot of betting. In one minute the farthest dog or
first to finish wins.
Freight Racing
In this race a team of three dogs haul a 40 pound sled plus 50 pounds
per dog (190 pounds total). This must be pulled a certain length.
There is also quite a bit of betting with this race too. This talent
was used in World War I and II. They had 18 dog teams pull small
planes over ice to avoid making a loud sound and be caught.
The Trail
Length
The length of the Iditarod is officially 1,049 miles. The real
length is probably about 1,150 miles. Currently experts and
mushers disagree on the real length of the Iditarod. Some say it
is a little over 1,000, others say 1,100, even 1,050.
Southern and Northern Routes
When the Iditarod was becoming very popular more people in Alaska wanted
to take part. So a change was made to take a Northern Route on even
numbered years and a Southern one on the odd numbered years.
Anchorage: The Memorial Start
On the Friday before the Iditarod begins the snow removal operators
actually put snow on the roads, instead of removing it. The mushers
are up all night worrying. The dogs are barking up a storm.
Everything is being set up. Tomorrow is the first Saturday of March.
At 10:00 am there will be excitement everywhere, “the Iditarod is finally
here” is the one and only thought on Alaska’s mind. Earlier in February
the mushers draw numbers for the start. Everyone is ready.
Restart
The mushers have traveled to Eagle River; people are following in cars
and trucks to see the teams arrive. Here the Mushers hop into vehicles
and travel to Wasilla for the restart. There is too much loose ice
from Eagle River to Wasilla. They would just start in Wasilla but
they decided to keep Anchorage as the Memorial. After trucking over
to Wasilla, the mushers pick numbers again and they head off.
The Main Trail
Knick: Knick is 14 miles from Wasilla. There won’t be any publicity for a while. The mushers ride right into the bush. No more roads, just trail.
Yetna: Yetna is 52 miles from Knik. Mushers are looking forward to the delicious meal ahead.
Skwentna: Skwentna, 32 miles from Yetna. Mushers are now 98 miles into the race. Everyone deserves a good meal. This is just the place to have one too! Norma and Delia’s Log Cabin is where mushers check in and out, as well as being fed like Kings! Norma and Delia cook up one of the best meals in the race. This has been a favorite checkpoint ever since Joe Redington Sr. asked to use their “National Trap line” for a race.
Finger Lake: Finger Lake is 45 miles from Skwentna. The mushers are approaching the mountains. Veterans are very fond of the former residents at Finger Lake. June and Gene Leonhard were very active Iditarod supporters.
Rainy Pass: 30 miles from Finger Lake and Mountains here we come. The best suited saying for Rainy Pass is “From scarier to scarier”. It is really high up! Whiteouts are nearly part of the routine up there! After mushers check in they will travel uphill 3,160 feet high! Then they have a sharp trip down. They go through a narrow canyon, on an icy stream, with lots of danger. Loose ice, open waters, and side hills to name a few. If you mark the trail it won’t last too long. In two hours, complete slush, 2 more hours later bare ice and ground. Soon enough you will end up with more snow.
Rhone: It is 48 miles from Rainy Pass to Rhone. The only time of year anyone lives here is during the Iditarod. An Alaskan and Minnesotan take turns being sheriff and mayor. These two men are really lucky. Some of the best views are here. Well, no time for sight seeing for the mushers, there is a lot of rough trail ahead.
Nikolai: Nikolai is 93 mile from Rhone. This is the first Alaskan Native Village on the trail.
McGrath: The tenth Checkpoint on the Trail and 48 miles from Nikolai. All the injured and dropped dogs are shipped here and then shipped by plane to Anchorage. The first prize on the trail is here too.
Takotna: Takotna is 46 miles from McGrath and another great meal is served. Here everyone eats like a King. Just as well as in Skwentna.
Ophir: The 12th checkpoint is here. It is 38 miles from Takotna. Opir was once a mining territory in the gold rush. Iditarod and Cripple were once a mining territory as well.
Cripple: It is 60 miles from Ophir and here two Routes split: the Northern and Southern Routes. This is to let more Alaskans see the race and participate. On odd numbered years they use the southern Route and even years the mushers get the Northern Route.
Northern Route: 112 miles from Cripple and here comes the Northern Route. Another Award comes along as the mushers are now following the Yukon River.
Galena: It is 52 miles from Ruby and the mushers are a great distance into the race. The state treasure lived here a few years ago. Edgar Nollner the only participant in the serum run was living about three years ago. He was 22 when he participated in carrying the antitoxin to diphtheria in Nome.
Nulato: It is 52 miles from Galena and the Mushers are getting caught up with the leaders. Many are ready to go top speeds.
Southern Route
Iditarod: 90 miles from Ophir and another award comes along. This is a deserted Ghost town. Many like to have it as a checkpoint others don’t.
Shageluk: Shageluk is 65 miles from Iditarod. Mushers are starting to get tired and ready for real food. It is coming up in the next checkpoint though.
Anvik: 25 miles from Shageluk and who ever gets there first sure does get a pretty good meal. Another seven course gourmet one too! One year Jeff King came in first at 4:00 am having his dinner with everyone watching, and a cameraman got too close to the candles and caught his hair on fire! So, he dropped the camera and starts jumping around patting his head with a possible first place musher and a bunch of locals staring at him.
Grayling: Grayling is 18 miles from Anvik. Everyone is ready to pull down the leader. Everyone has about 12 or 13 dogs left. And all the dogs are really ready to run.
Eagle Island: 60 miles from Grayling. Everyone wants to finish in at least 20th. “The race is on,” is one thing on many mushers mind.
The End
Kaltag: 70 miles from Eagle River on the Southern Route. 42 miles from Nulato on the northern Route. It is anyone’s game from now on.
Unalakleet: About 80 miles from Kaltag. Another award for first one there. A lot of stength is used on the dogs’ part.
Shaktoolik: It is 40 miles from Unalakleet. Everyone’s strategy is changing.
Koyuk: 58 miles from Shaktoolik. Here in Koyuk certain seasons aren’t really the same as in other areas. There is a sort of code to it. In the spring hunting birds and ice fishing are the big things going on. June through July is basically all fishing. In the fall it is Watching Beluga whales, hunting caribou and moose. In October they are fishing for tomcods and mudfish and a little bit of hunting and trapping.
Elim: Elim is 48 miles from Koyuk. It is really dangerous in Elim during storms. So dangerous, volunteers go out on snowmobiles and make sure all the mushers on are the trail. Elim is so close to the water that it is only fair to do this. Otherwise there could be lost mushers on loose ice. The mayor isn’t too willing to take risks next to the coast.
Golovin: Golovin is 28 miles from Elim. Golovin was founded near Golovnin Bay, and Golovnin Lagoon. The man who founded it left to search for gold in the gold rush and the extra “n” was dropped.
White Mountain: White Mountain is 18 miles from Golovin. Here the rules say all mushers must take an 8 hour layover, so whoever gets here first, second, third and fourth have a good chance to win. This is one reason the mushers stay their 8 and leave not a minute past.
Safety: It is 55 miles from White Mountain. From here to Nome all mushers must wear their numbered bibs. Usually the first few to leave White Mountain get first through fifth.
Nome: Nome is 22 miles from Safety. This is not the end of the trail; all the awards and money are to come! Everyone gets excited, even if you are last in the race; the last person gets an award for just finishing. Stories are told just about everywhere at the end. Stories from the mushers, volunteers, judges, and vets. You can also hear the dog stories; a dog’s bark is everywhere as if telling their own stories to each other. People aren’t the only ones who get to share the fun you know!
Purses and Awards
Purses
The purse is the word used for prize money. If you come in first
you end up with a lot: $50,000 in fact. Second through twentieth
you split up$35,000 between everyone. Twenty-first and down you get up
to $1,049. These aren’t the only prizes given in money, along the trail
there are some as well.
Awards
You can win prizes many different ways. One is coming in last,
others are being first to a checkpoint and one is even voting by judges.
If you come in last you are awarded the Red Lantern Award, for even
finishing the race. Some of the voting prizes is Rookie Of The Year,
Best Spirit, Most Improved Musher and Sportsmanship. There are many
others chosen by voting. But the ones on the Trail are fun too.
The first award on the Trail is the Golden Pace Award. This is received
at McGrath the 10th checkpoint. It’s a gold nugget watch from the
Alaska Commercial Company. The next one is at Cripple where the two
routes split. It is the GCI Dorothy G Page Halfway Award of $3,000
in Gold Nuggets. Another is Ruby, the first checkpoint on the Northern
Route. This one is a seven-course gourmet meal by Ruby’s best chef,
and $3,500. It is called The First Musher To The Yukon Reward.
Iditarod, the first checkpoint on the Northern Route is a Trophy and $3,000
in gold nuggets. In Anvik you get a seven-course gourmet meal again
as well as $3,500. Unalakleet also has a prize. $2,500 in nuggets
and The Gold Coast Award which is presented as a trophy.
Rules
Stops
A musher must personally sign in at each checkpoint to continue.
A musher must also take two 8 hour stops. One on the Yukon and another
at White Mountain. They must also take a 24 hour stop. This
must be done when the dogs need it most. It is up to the musher to
make this decision.
Equipment
A musher must have these items with them at all times
- A sleeping bag made for the cold more than 5 pounds.
- An axe, the head needs to weigh a minimum of 1-3/4 of a pound with a handle at least 22 inches long.
- A pair of snow shoes, with bindings the size of 252 square inches
- Any promotional material provided by the ITC.
- 8 dog booties per dog, in use or in sled.
- An operational cooker and pot able to hold 3 pounds of water at a time.
- A veterinary notebook
- 3 bottles of Heet-36oz
Dog care must be maintained. If any abuse occurs the checkpoint veterinarian can give penalties. If abuses keeps occurring, or are very severe the chief veterinarian is allowed to ban a musher from this race for a lifetime. Also injured or weak dogs may be dropped at all checkpoints besides Golovin and Nome. Dogs dropped in Anchorage, Eagle River and Wasilla are the mushers responsibility. All other dog drops the ITC (Iditarod Trail Committee) will take care of.
Musher Conduct
A musher will not be penalized for helping or aiding another musher.
But a musher will be penalized if they interfere with the belongings of
the other mushers. The belongings to a musher are their equipment,
dogs and sled. If anything is tampered with the musher who does so
will be severely punished.
Penalties and Protests
If any rule breaking occurs you may be given warnings, monetary penalties,
time penalties, censure or disqualification. A musher may protest
if he or she thinks another competitor is not being fair or is breaking
rules. The musher must have this complaint in writing at the next
checkpoint and no more than 24 hours after finishing the race.
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