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THE IDITAROD

By Carole Herdegen

Iditarod XXXII starts in Anchorage, Alaska at 4th and D Avenues at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 6th, 2004. Called "The Last Great Race on Earth", it has won worldwide acclaim and interest. It really cannot be compared to any other competitive event. The race is 1,150 miles long and run over the roughest terrain of mountain ranges, frozen rivers, dense forests, desolate tundra and miles of wind swept coastline. The mushers and their dogs compete in temperatures below zero with strong winds and poor visibility. They and their dogs are virtually alone in the wilderness. With as many as 16 dogs per sled at the start, a team can stretch out for 80 feet from the lead dog's nose to the back of the sled, a length longer than an eighteen wheeler truck. It is also one of the few sports in which women and men compete on equal terms. There have been 53 women in the total of 405 finishers in the 25-year history of the race. Women have won 5 times.

Six years ago, marked the 25th running of the Iditarod commemorating the anniversary of the "run for life". In 1925, an epidemic of Diphtheria threatened the tiny town of Nome. The life-saving serum, unfortunately, was in Anchorage, more than 1,100 miles away. It was winter and there were only 3 to 4 hours of daylight. The few roads were only partially open, thus preventing vehicles to make the journey. As for airplanes, flying in the prevailing winter weather conditions was so risky; most of the airplanes had already been retired for the season. It was finally decided to use dog teams in relays. The serum was delivered and people in Nome were saved. This was a story of how heroes are made and legends are born. The successful use of teams of dogs, sleds and men has been immortalized in the annual Iditarod Race which begins in Anchorage and ends when the last competitor arrives in Nome on the Bering Sea, some 1,150 miles away. Although there is a mushing champion, all finishers are honored for their achievement.

Watch for this event in your newspapers and on television. To read more about the Iditarod and dog sledding, here are a few titles of books that you will find at your bookstore or library:
  • "The Bravest Dog Ever" The True Story of Balto by Natalie Standifore. A story of the dog Balto and his leadership during the 1925 life-saving serum run.
  • "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'dell. A story of a young girl who takes her father's place in the Iditarod.
  • "Dashing through the Snow" by Sherry Shahan. The story of the Jr. Iditarod.
  • "Foxy's Tale" by Ed White, Donna Freedman and Charles Lindermuth. A true story of a champion Alaskan Sled Dog.
  • "Iditarod Dreams" by Dee Dee Jonrowe. This is an absorbing, personal account of a year in the life of this remarkable woman living on the edge of the wilderness.
  • "Klana's Iditarod" A young husky gets its chance to lead a team to victory
  • "Mush" by Patricia Siebert. Across Alaska in the world's longest sled race.
  • "Racing Sled Dogs" by Michael Cooper
  • "Stone Fox" by Scott Gardner. A young boy and his dog must race against the legendary stone fox.
  • "To See the Moon" by Ethel Bacon. The inspiring story of Kimo, the sled dog and a young girl named Diane and their quest to win a race.
  • "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen. A wilderness adventure.

Official Site of the Last Great Race

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