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Here's a look at the Iditarod sled dog race. The event is named after the Iditarod Trail, a former mail and supply route traveled by dog sled from Seward and Knik to Nome, Alaska.
March 14, 2023 – Ryan Redington wins his first Iditarod.
March 15, 2022 – Brent Sass wins his first Iditarod.
The race traditionally begins on the first Saturday in March, beginning in Anchorage and ending in Nome.
The race is 975 to 998 miles long, depending on whether the southern or northern route is run. The duration can also vary from year to year depending on field conditions.
The start of the race in Anchorage is considered a ceremonial start. The competitive portion of the race usually begins the next day in Willow, but depends on weather conditions.
There can only be one musher (person who drives the sled) per team.
There are between 12 and 14 dogs on each team. At least five dogs must be on a leash (pulling the sled) at the finish line.
The most commonly used sled dogs are the Samoyed, Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky, Alaskan Husky, and Chinook. The animals are tested for strength and endurance before being selected.
The musher must make a mandatory 24-hour stop at some point during the race.
The route alternates every two years, one year heading north through Cripple, Ruby and Galena, and the next year heading south through Iditarod, Shageluk and Anvik.
Most consecutive wins – Lance Mackey won four consecutive times between 2007 and 2010.
More wins – Rick Swenson won five times, in 1977, 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1991. Dallas Seavey also won five times, in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2021.
Fastest winning time – Mitch Seavey finished the 2017 race in eight days, 3 hours, 40 minutes and 13 seconds.
Winner by a [dog’s] nose – Dick Mackey finished the 1978 race one second ahead of Rick Swenson. The winner is decided by the nose of the first dog to cross the finish line.
First female winner – Libby Riddles in 1985.
Youngest winner – Dallas Seavey, 25 years old, in 2012.
Oldest winner – Mitch Seavey, 57 years old, in 2017.
1925 – A diphtheria outbreak in Nome, Alaska, creates an emergency need for the delivery of medical supplies, and dog sleds make the trip. The current race commemorates this mission and partially follows the same route.
1966 – Dorothy Page, chairwoman of the Wasilla-Knik Centennial Committee, decides to organize a dog sled race to celebrate Alaska's centennial in 1967. Page and Joe Redington Sr., a local musher, work together to launch the first event.
1967 – The first Iditarod takes place, with 58 mushers competing along a 50-mile trail.
March 1973 – After shorter races in 1967 and 1969, the first full-length race takes place. The route is approximately 1,100 miles long. The first winner is Dick Wilmarth, with a time of 20 days and 49 minutes.
March 12, 2016 – A man on a snowmobile hits two teams competing in the Iditarod, killing one dog and injuring several others. Alaska State Troopers arrest Arnold Demoski, 26, of Nulato. Demoski is subsequently sentenced to six months and three days in jail and ordered to pay restitution totaling $36,697.15.
October 6, 2017 – The Iditarod Trail Committee reviews Rule 39 after a musher's dog team tested positive for an opioid drug called Tramadol. Before the rule is reviewed, the ITC determines that the alleged musher's intent could not be proven. The revised rule holds the musher responsible for any positive canine drug test, unless he can prove that he is not at fault. Later, the ITC reveals four-time champion Dallas Seavey as the musher. Seavey denies the allegations.
December 4, 2018 – The Iditarod Trail Committee clears Seavey of any wrongdoing and issues a statement saying: “After several meetings with Dallas Seavey and reviewing all relevant information and evidence, the board does not believe that Dallas had any involvement in or knowledge of the events.” “. “That led to the positive test on their team.”
2021 – The 2021 Ceremonial Mushers Banquet is canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
