Iditarod 2008

On March 1st of every year, dog mushers from around the world begin their journey from Anchorage to Nome. The Iditarod race is held annually in honor of the historical serum run which took place in 1925. That year, a series of dog mushers carried medicine across Alaska to help citizens in Nome during a diptheria epidemic for which the only cure was found in a serum which was quickly running out. Delivery by dogsled, it turned out, was the only option. Air traffic wasn't advanced enough; the ocean was frozen, so boats were out for the season; and there is no road system connecting Nome to any other major city in the state. The efforts were successful, and thanks to the mushers, many children's lives were saved. Dog mushing is a huge part of Alaska's history and culture; it is amazing to watch it happen live, to watch so many people run their dogs for so many miles in honor of this place.

The journey is 1150 miles. There are several checkpoints along the way, and Unalakleet is the one at which mushers meet the coast and turn north towards Nome. The first musher to reach Unalakleet receives $2500 in gold pieces - literally. It's kind of cool. This year, the first to reach UNK was Jeff King. There were cameras and people and interviews and radda radda ra. It's amazing the number of people that show up for this! Literally, people from around the world were in our little village just to watch the Iditarod pass through. We talked to people from Norway who just wanted to follow the race. It's nuts. The second to run through was Lance Mackey (the winner of Iditarod 2008, defending champion, and cool guy).



Carrie and I walked down together to see the arrival of the first two mushers come in, but as you can see, we were accompanied by pretty much the entire village and then some. In this photo is Lance Mackey, his amazing dogs, and over to the right Carrie and I have front row seats. :)


Enjoying a lovely evening at the checkpoint

The big event for the week, though, was the arrival of Rick Holt. I've only met him and his family once when we drove through Talkeetna during winter break on the way back from Fairbanks. He's the one who took me on my first dogsled adventure! He's a great guy, and I really enjoyed talking with him while we were out on that adventure. He used to work for BSSD, so a lot of people here know him and are good friends with him.



We had as much of a welcoming crew as we could muster. Four guys painted their chests with H-O-L-T to welcome him in. It was pretty sweet. We had signs, we cheered, and we even stretched our Eluciq Kennel (that's Rick) shirts that we bought to support his Iditarod run OVER our coats.


Rick tending to his dogs and the line.


Taking off the booties - their poor feet have been running for a loooong time! Such good dogs!! Good thing this is what they love and are bred for. :)


Taking a well-earned rest after a hard day's work.

Anyway, like I said, we all wore our shirts over our coats. We were all so excited to get them signed by THE Rick Holt, Iditarod Man!!


Carrie Kim


Me Janelle

Although it all happens very quickly, it's still an unbelievable thing to watch the real mushers go through. For 10-17 days (Rick made it to Nome in a little over 12) the mushers run a sled of 6-16 dogs (usually they start with 16, drop some off along the way if they get sick or injured, but they have to end in Nome with at least 6), sleep very little, and rest only every now and then. The care of the dogs is a huge task, feeding, checking lines, melting snow, making their own food, keeping everyone warm and healthy - Rick told stories of his halucinations from sheer exhaustion. He said at one point he was so tired he couldn't even remember falling asleep. One minute he was standing on the sled, the next he woke up laying down in the snow! It's quite a journey!


Rick making food for dogs, after laying bedding


Before the race, mushers mail their drop bags to each checkpoint, which are filled with food refills for their next leg.



Adrianna and I were both very excited to experience our first Iditarod. :) It was awesome!! I'm not sure I would want to do the Iditarod ever... mushing dogs isn't so much a passion. But I have so much respect for the people that do it! Anyway, that has been my Iditarod adventure. For more information, visit www.iditarod.com - the Official Site of the Iditarod. I have a feeling this race - the Last Great Race, as it were - is going to quickly become an obsession of mine every year... sweet.