The Iditarod started yesterday and we wouldn’t be Alaskan if we didn’t talk about it. In truth, I love the Iditarod. The Iditarod, in part, celebrates the great serum run of 1925. Nome was hit hard with diphtheria and needed medicine.
source: adn.com
Several dog teams set out in relay to deliver the needed medicine traveling hundreds of miles in horrible weather. Interestingly, several people were in the “Send an airplane!” camp, but winter air travel had not yet been deemed safe in Alaska. It was also a struggle to find a qualified pilot and an airplane capable of tackling the journey. In the end, hero dog, Balto, and his team reached Nome on February 2, 1925 and a second delivery followed by dogsled on February 15.
Mushing is the official sport of Alaska and the Iditarod is the Olympics of mushing. On Saturday, all the teams start the race downtown Anchorage in what is called the “ceremonial start.” Basically, they pretend they’re racing for a couple of miles through town, everyone cheers, and then they pack up their dogs and drive two hours north to Willow where the real race begins on Sunday morning. This year, our complete lack of snow required snow to be hauled in by train from Fairbanks for the ceremonial start. We take the Iditarod very seriously!
Let’s look at Iditarod 44 by the numbers:
- 85 Mushers
- 975 Miles
- $3,000 – entry fee
- #2 starts the race (Bib #1 goes to an honorary musher in a sled driven by the reigning Junior Iditarod champion for the ceremonial start) – this year, bib #2 is the “Mushing Mortician,” Scott Janssen.
- $888,019 – Total Lifetime Iditarod Earnings of Jeff King, largest earner in this year’s race.
- $750,000 – Purse to be shared among the top 30 finishers.
- $1,049 – amount each finisher placing 31 or higher earns for finishing the race (symbolic of the 1049 miles from Anchorage to Nome).
- 5 – Most races won by one person (Rick Swenson 1977, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1991)
- 4 – Most consecutive races won by one person (Lance Mackey 2007-2010)
- 25 – Age of the youngest ever champion of the Iditarod (Dallas Seavey, 2012)
- 8d 13h 4m 19s – Fastest ever race time (Dallas Seavey, 2014)
- 32d 05h 19m 01s – Longest time taken to complete the race (John Schultz, 1973 – coming in last earns you the “Red Lantern Award” for not giving up)
And, they’re off! On their way to Nome! Track the current standings.
our next life
I heard about the Iditarod start yesterday and immediately thought of you (of course) — and then I also wrote about it, in a post that will go up Friday. Sneak preview: We heard the story and were like, “We could actually do that, once we’re retired!” 🙂
MaggieBanks
I do love the Iditarod… but I would NEVER want to run it! 🙂
Tawcan
Although I’ve been to Alaska a few times, they’re all during summer. Boy I have much to learn about Alaska and what people do during winter time up there.
MaggieBanks
We are a mysterious people…
Ditching the Grind
I never knew the history of the race. Very interesting!
MaggieBanks
Fascinating, right?
Mr. SSC
A friend of mine is very into the Iditarod every year, so when I noticed his Facebook feed blowing up with likes, and shares, I thought “Must be Iditarod time again” lol
I had no idea about the serum run and backstory though, thanks for sharing!
MaggieBanks
You’re welcome. My MIL loves the Iditarod too and usually comes up for it every year.
Kim from Philadelphia
Fascinating! I did not know the irigin of the race. Being a medical feel I think it makes me like it even more!
Kim from Philadelphia
Origin- sorry
Kim from Philadelphia
Ugh- medical geek. What is it with me and typos today?!
MaggieBanks
You’re good! I love the Iditarod. Such a celebration of uniquely Alaskan living. Medical access in the Bush is still a big problem. Alaska is among the leaders in telemedicine use and advancements.
Harmony Smith (@CMK_Harmony)
Very interesting backstory. Well, if these people can brave the Alaska wilderness for over eight days, then we can certainly put a little more effort towards hustling our way out of debt 🙂
MaggieBanks
Way to bring me back to topic. 🙂
Claudia @ Two Cup House
In fifth grade, my teacher covered the Iditarod in class daily during the duration of the race. It’s about the only thing I remember from fifth grade, so it must have been the most fascinating topic all year. I think she had a relative or a friend in the race, too. Anyway, I hope we’ll be there for the start of the race one day. 🙂
MaggieBanks
That’s awesome. We totally did it in sixth grade and my teacher said I sounded a lot like the foghorn. 🙂 Hmmm… I guess I’ve always been loud.
MrFireStation
Such a great event! When my son was little we watched the “Balto” animated feature and later saw the Balto memorial in NYC Central Park. Not sure why that is in NYC, but my son was excited to have his picture taken.
MaggieBanks
I found this interesting tidbit: http://www.nyhistory.org/community/balto-statue-central-park
We have a Balto statue downtown Anchorage as well… but that makes a bit more sense. 🙂
The Yachtless
Oh my gosh, even reading the word “Nome” gives me a tiny emotional gut-punch — I have such strong memories of reading the story of Balto as a child/adolescent and crying every single time because he was so brave and saved all the sick children.
MaggieBanks
Awesome! I love that you have such a great memory of the story. Why haven’t you come up to see the Iditarod start yet?! 🙂
The Yachtless
Haha, good question!!