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The 9-day Iditarod Dog Race in Alaska

Published by Spencer Spellman, Writer

Country: United States

The Experience

In many ways, the Iditarod is for winter what the Tour de France is for summer. Representing one of the cruellest and most challenging sporting events in the world, the dog race tests the will and strength of racers to the very limit. Not for the faint of heart, this sports event is certainly not just a snow day.

Beginning in the early ‘70s, the Iditarod is a world-renowned race, pushing both humans and their dogs to the limit. Though the Iditarod race only dates back a few decades, dog sledding has a long history in Alaska. Named after the small Alaskan town of Iditarod, the race was originally meant to end there; however, races finished up in Nome, Alaska.

The proper term for the sport is actually “mushing,” which consists of a sled being directed by a person, along with several sets of dogs pulling it along. The Iditarod race spans almost 1,200 miles, and can last up to fifteen days. The fastest time was in 2002, when the winner Martin Buser crossed the finished line at just under nine days.

About fifty participants enter each year, with most of them coming from Alaska. This is no sport for amateurs as participants spend months preparing for the race. In fact, Iditarod mushers have to actually qualify in three prior races to be able to participate.

Although it took twenty days to finish the first running of the Iditarod in 1973, recent races are typically completed in nine or ten days. Many spectators show up for the start, but the real excitement is what's known as the “last dash,” when mushers make their way down the final stretch into Nome. After a mandatory 8-hour rest at White Mountain, competitors make the final sprint into Nome. Mushers are greeted as they come into Nome with a fire siren, and spectators cheer them on along Front Street as they make the final 50-yard sprint to the Red Fox Olson Trail Monument. First and second place finishers are typically no more than an hour apart from each other.

For spectators taking in the Alaska dog sledding race, there are few events in the world that come close to the unique nature and excitement of the Iditarod Race. Guests need to be ready to bundle up for what's being called "The Last Great Race".

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When to Go to Iditarod

The Iditarod race takes place on the first Saturday in March every year. However, guests who want to catch the finish will need to plan their trip toward the end of the race. This is typically nine days after the start on Saturday. Toward the seventh or eighth day, there's a general consensus of approximately when the winner will be crossing the finish line.

Odds n' Ends

Dress accordingly. Spring is around the corner for most of the U.S. in early March, but temperatures are still extremely frigid. Spectators are often standing at the finish line several hours awaiting the first Iditarod musher to cross the line, so it's important to pack and dress accordingly. The best idea is to dress in several layers and then shed clothing if it gets warmer during the afternoon.

More Experiences Nearby

Scout out Dall Sheep at Denali National Park: Denali National Park in Alaska is famous for preserving the largest and most majestic mammals, including the Dall sheep. Searching for Dall sheep at Denali Park is a thrill for wildlife enthusiasts. The classic Ram always resides on rocks at the highest altitudes. Rams, or the Dall sheep, are known for their perseverance. They never give up no matter how hard the climb is, which is a lesson for humanity as well. Mount Kinley’s popularity dissipates when compared to the presence of this beautiful creature in the Park. The conservation of animals started with Charles Sheldon who took it up ...221 miles away.

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