The winner of the first Iditarod was Dick Wilmarth, taking almost three weeks to reach Nome. [citation needed] The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race was first established by Joe Redington Sr. in the early 1973 to encourage the designation of the Iditarod Trail as a National Historic Trail, bring the dying tradition of dog sledding back to the villages of Alaska, and promote the sport of competitive dogsled … It covers over 1,000 miles of rough terrain in a … © Iditarod Trail Committee - a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Volunteer Registration Form – Start, Restart, Trail, Other, Volunteer Registration Form – Finish/Nome. Rent a car and travel independently on a set itinerary, with lodging and tours booked in advance. Joe and his wife Vi had deep historical interests in the Iditarod Trail since the mid-1950’s and felt this centennial race would help in their quest to preserve the historic gold rush and mail route and get it recognized nationally. The Iditarod: The Last Great Race Alaska's annual Iditarod Dogsled Race is a perfectly "teachable moment." Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. Racing events were veritable holidays, with schools and businesses closed early (or all-together) and courts adjourned. History of Sled Dogs. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. The Iditarod Sled Dog Race is the product of their vision and persistence. They also wanted to keep mushing and sled dog culture alive. Answer: 1 question Write an informative essay on the Iditarod dogsled race. The Iditarod trail sled dog race pays homage to the "Great Race of Mercy" of 1925, when around 20 mushers and their dogs raced across 674 miles of harsh Alaskan terrain to deliver diphtheria antitoxin to the people in and around the small city of Nome, thereby preventing the inevitable epidemic. Iditarod Sites. In 1908, the trails were used by government employees to explore a route from Seward to Nome but the route they cleared saw little … The red-lantern tradition originated in 1953, during the three-day Fur Rendezvous dogsled race in Anchorage, and was passed on to the newer, and much longer, Iditarod. 1967 marked the 100th anniversary of Alaska being a U.S. The course was laid out along a telephone line so that bulletins from the race could be transmitted back to Nome and posted in public places. I don’t ever want to see high pressure people getting in and changing the spirit of the race. The first Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race was run in 1973 and, since then, has included a mandatory cache of mail to be carried in each musher’s sled bag to highlight the sled dog’s original purpose in Alaska’s rich history. and the Yukon Quest International Dogsled Race! One of the most famous and prestigious races is the Iditarod Dog Sled Race in Alaska. Her enthusiasm, drive, and love of history opened the world’s eyes to the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race®. Before any Russian or European influence in Alaska the precursor to the trail was a large network of traditional trade and travel routes used by Alaska Natives primarily for winter travel under the Aurora borealis and gleaming sun dogs. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. Self-drive vacations. Free personal GPS–driven travel guide to Alaska. Dorothy poured her heart and soul into research as a historian and Joe Redington worked non-stop to put together a new sled dog race. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is an annual long-distance sled dog race run in early March from Anchorage to Nome, entirely within the US state of Alaska. Joe Redington, Sr. died in June of 1999 of cancer. It commemorates those intrepid mushers (including Seppala) and their dogs, who fought through blizzard conditions to bring a life-saving diphtheria serum to Nome in 1925. The History of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race® Since 1973, mushers have challenged themselves in a race nicknamed The Last Great Race on Earth®, racing each March from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. More than that, this annual race can teach students a thing or two about fairness in competition and about the pride and dignity that comes with seeing a job … Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race: History, Facts, and Winners’ List. I think they appreciate that. This race is, of course, the Iditarod and though it doesn't have a long official history as a sporting event, dog sledding does have a long history in Alaska. Joe Redington Sr., known as the “Father of the Iditarod” and Dorothy Page (Chair of the Wasilla-Knik Centennial Committee) started advocating for an Iditarod Trail race in the late 1960s to preserve the trail, which historically connected remote Alaskan villages and served as their main supply route in winter. Mushers and their teams played important but little remembered roles in World War II in Alaska, particularly in helping the famous Eskimo Scouts patrol the vast winter wilderness of western Alaska. Each year in March, men, women, and dogs from around the world converge on the state of Alaska to take part in what has become known as the "Last Great Race" on the planet. Howard Farley, who helped organize Nome as the end of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race ahead of the first running in 1973, is seen at the Carrie M. … The first formal sled-dog race wasn’t held until 1850, from Winnipeg, Manitoba, to St. Paul, Minnesota. The Iditarod Dog Sled Race 602 Words | 3 Pages. He is the only musher to have been given the first position to leave the chute without drawing, as well as to wear the #1 bib.1. Original document by Don Bowers, Edited 2020. 7-10 days is the most common. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is an annual long-distance sled dog race run in early March from Anchorage to Nome, entirely within the US state of Alaska. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins, The first notable sled dog race the All Alaska Sweepstakes, held between 1908 and 1917. As in Nome’s early days, the whole community celebrates during Iditarod week. Please check your email to verify your subscription. The excitement grows to a fever pitch as the lead racers near Front Street, just as they did during the All Alaska Sweepstakes. The Board President always excuses Redington’s absence because “Joe is on the trail.” This routine procedure at Iditarod Board meetings reminds us of the Iditarod spirit that Joe Redington Sr. exemplified and  lives on in the lives of all the mushers, volunteers, and fans of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Did you know the famous Iditarod dogsled race commemorates a 1925 vaccine delivery journey? [citation needed] The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race was first established by Joe Redington Sr. in the early 1973 to encourage the designation of the Iditarod Trail as a National Historic Trail, bring the dying tradition of dog sledding back to the villages of Alaska, and promote the sport of competitive dogsled … The Iditarod Sled Dog Race carries on the racing tradition started in those early days. 1. Territory after being purchased from Russia. True to their predecessors, the mushers still run down Front Street past the still notorious saloons into the heart of the Last Frontier’s last frontier town to the burled arch. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. The course of the race, roughly 1,100 miles (1,770 km) long, partially follows the old Iditarod Trail dogsled mail route blazed from the coastal towns of Seward and Knik to the goldfields and mining camps of northwestern Alaska in the early 1900s. Even so, the mushers still had to break much of their own trail and take care of their own supplies. The first formal sled-dog race wasn’t held until 1850, from Winnipeg, Manitoba, to St. Paul, Minnesota. When in Nome, you can learn more about both the Iditarod and the All Alaska Sweepstakes at the Carrie M. McLain Memorial Museum. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. Today, Iditarod (the race) and the 1925  Serum Run have many things in common. Nearly 100 years ago, the famous mission to deliver lifesaving serum from Nenana to Nome led by Leonhard Seppala, saved an entire community. During the 1960’s, however, it was not space travel but the advent of the “iron dog” (or snowmachine or snowmobile) that resulted in the mass abandonment of dog teams across the state and loss of much mushing lore. It commemorates those intrepid mushers (including Seppala) and their dogs, who fought through blizzard conditions to bring a life-saving, Joe Redington Sr., known as the “Father of the Iditarod” and Dorothy Page (Chair of the Wasilla-Knik Centennial Committee) started advocating for an Iditarod Trail race in the late 1960s to preserve the trail, which historically connected remote Alaskan villages and served as their main supply route in winter. This is the definitive story of the Iditarod, the dogsled race that has been run for over a century–told in brisk inviting stories and fully illustrated with color photographs, including updated information through the 2018 race. Car, train, or group tour. We brought the sled dog back and increased the number of mushers. Recalls the history of the Iditarod dogsled race, including some of its greatest mushers and dogs, and explains how teams and volunteers prepare for and run this famous Alaskan race. Sign up for our Teacher Newsletter to get teaching ideas, classroom activities, and see our latest deals. More than a dozen sponsors have cut ties with the deadly Iditarod dogsled race, but we must keep the pressure on and urge VUit to refuse to stream the cruel spectacle. (Stop) The Iditarod trail sled dog race is held on the first Saturday of March, every year since 1973, which celebrates the legacy of mushers. (Overtake/Ignore the distraction) Easy! Dorothy Page, chairman of this committee, conceived the idea of a sled dog race over the historically significant Iditarod Trail. In even years, it swings north from Ophir to Cripple, Ruby (heart of another old mining district), Galena, Nulato, and on to Kaltag. Overwhelmed by choices? Every musher’s arrival is heralded by the city’s fire siren and every musher is greeted by a crowd lining the “chute”, no matter the time of day or night, or if he or she is first or last across the line. Nearly 100 years ago, the famous mission to deliver lifesaving serum from Nenana to Nome led by Leonhard Seppala, saved an entire community. For 10 days each March, the 1,049-mile journey from Anchorage to Nome turns the world’s attention on today’s sled dog heroes and the Iditarod National Historic Trail. The race had a large purse of $25,000 dollars and it … Experience the Iditarod yourself, from three locations in Alaska: in Anchorage for the Ceremonial start, in Willow for the re-start, or at Nome’s Burled Arch for the finish. The high­est tides in the U.S. can be found south of Anchor­age on Tur­na­gain arm. I enjoyed the Missoulian article on March 1 by Jeff Welch of 406mtsports.com.He wrote a story on the famous Iditarod Dogsled Race that goes for 1,000 miles across the state of Alaska. Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? Since March 2020, communities throughout Alaska have been faced with the COVID 19 Coronavirus pandemic. Skiing and skating were popular and kids found heroes in long-distance runners (who would run laps in the local gym) and sled dog racers. In earlier years, some had participated in a race in the Alpirod in Europe and a race in the Russian Far East. Sponsored by the Nome Kennel Club, the 408-mile race went from Nome to Candle and back. Alaska is the world Mecca for sled dog racing, which has developed into a popular winter sport in the Lower 48, Canada, Europe, and even Russia. The course was laid out along a telephone line so that bulletins from the race could be transmitted back to Nome and posted in public places. In 1925, children of Nome, AK were dying from a diphtheria epidemic. Which one is right for you? Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. The Iditarod dog-sled race alternates routes given the year: for even-numbered years the northern route is used, and for odd-numbered years the southern route is used. The first notable sled dog race the All Alaska Sweepstakes, held between 1908 and 1917. She was intrigued by the history of the trail and sled dogs, and thought up a dog sledding race that combined the two - then with the help of friend Joe Reddington and his wife Vi, The Iditarod was born. He raced in 19 races and came in 5th place four times. For 10 days each March, the 1,049-mile journey from Anchorage to Nome turns the world’s attention on today’s sled dog heroes and the Iditarod National Historic Trail. The Alaska Railroad is your transportation method. Mushers from more than two dozen foreign countries have run the Iditarod, and Alaskan mushers routinely travel Outside to races in Minnesota, Montana, and Wyoming. In odd numbered years the middle part of the race largely follows the original trail, from Ophir through Iditarod, Shageluk, Anvik, Grayling, and Eagle Island to Kaltag. See Alaska's highlights by railroad or motorcoach in a group of up to 50, Travel in small groups, stay at exclusive wilderness lodges, and spend more time outdoors, All-inclusive multi-day vacation packages at a remote wilderness lodge, Travel with a professional photographer to the best photo locations around the state, Trips range from backpacking, rafting, to upscale remote lodge retreats, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. (Turn left) Gee! Countless hours of discussions with fellow mushers followed. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. Alaska Private Touring has been a leader delivering the best custom-designed Alaska luxury tours with … In 1997, Joe Redington, Sr. took part in the 25 Anniversary Iditarod Race after celebrating his 80th birthday. To promote both goals, Redington asked Dorothy Page to be the editor of an Iditarod  Annual. It was too cold for planes to fly and too snowy for cars to drive, so the vaccine was brought 1,000 miles from Anchorage to Nome by dogsled. He was buried in Wasilla in his favorite dogsled in a specially made vault. Joe Redington Sr. was her first real support for such a race. Highlights plus less visited destinations. After the war, short and medium distance freight teams were still common in many areas of Alaska even when President Kennedy announced that the United States would put a man on the moon. The Iditarod Trail was a collection of trails used by native Alaskans and eventually was used by European settlers to connect Nome and Western Alaska to the rest of the state by land. Mushersand a team of 14 dogs, of which at least 5 must be on the towline at the finish line, cover the distance in 8–15 days or more. To promote both goals, Redington asked Dorothy Page to be the editor of an Iditarod Annual. These three men spirited this first-ever, long-distance race into reality and in 1973 a new race was born. Learn what makes the Alaskan tun­dra such an inspir­ing place, from large mam­mals to small berries and every­thing in between. Although some modern dog drivers move at a pace that would have been incomprehensible to their old-time counterparts, making the trip to Nome in under ten days. Now, more than ever, it’s important to channel the grit and determination that allowed teams of mushers to complete this herculean effort and deliver diphtheria serum that saved countless childrens’ lives. Did anyone correctly identify the Iditarod dogsled race? Although the race’s fame causes many people to think of the Iditarod Trail when they think of traveling to Nome, the trail is actually impassable during the spring, summer, and fall. The Iditarod began in 1973 as an event to test the best sled dog mushers and teams but evolved into today's highly competitive race. Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. Iditarod History . The famed 1000-mile dogsled race from Anchorage in Southeast Alaska to Nome on the Bering Sea is a test of […] It is a little known fact and weak-guarded secret that the winner of the race is present… This twenty six year old race is known as the last great race. (Turn right) On by! Moreover, its routing is far from a direct course, taking about 1,000 miles to go the 650 or so airline miles from Anchorage to Nome. While the Iditarod has become by far Alaska’s best-known sporting event, there are a dozen other major races around the state every winter, such as the grueling thousand-mile Yukon Quest, the Kobuk 440, the Kusko 300, and the Copper Basin 300. The southern route came at a later date to increase the exposure to neighboring villages, with the passing through the city Iditarod … This small page is our most popular page for a few weeks, every winter! The Iditarod Sled Dog Race is the product of their vision and persistence. Two of these mushers were teachers, Tom Johnson and Gleo Huyck. Iditarod is the exciting Alaska sled dog race. Pass out the maps. The Red Lantern tradition started back in 1953 from a different race called the Fur Rendezvous dogsled race in Anchorage, which was generally a three-day run. Alas­ka has near­ly 34,000 miles of shore­line — a region of near­ly 1.5 mil­lion square miles of water. The Iditarod is the most famous dogsled race and in this lesson we will learn all about it. A bronze winner’s trophy has been added in honor of Joe Redington and a halfway award prize has been added in honor of Dorothy G. Page. The Iditarod is a dog sled race that takes place every March in Alaska. In addition, the race committee has routed the race to pass through a number of towns and villages missed by the original trail, and has adopted a northern route for even-numbered years to include more villages along the Yukon. The 1925 serum run to Nome, also known as the Great Race of Mercy and The Serum Run, was a transport of diphtheria antitoxin by dog sled relay across the U.S. territory of Alaska by 20 mushers and about 150 sled dogs across 674 miles (1,085 km) in 5 ½ days, saving the small town of Nome and the surrounding communities from a developing epidemic.. The Iditarod Trail dog sled race is a sled dog race from Anchorage, Alaska to Nome, Alaska, a route that is over 1,100 miles long. The 2021 Iditarod is on! There was a problem with your submission. Activities pack the schedule – educational talks, sporting competitions (pool, poker, golf, basketball arm wrestling), concerts, dances, and more. The Redingtons and Pages joined forces. The U.S. Army helped clear portions of the trail and with the support of the Nome Kennel Club (Alaska’s earliest, founded in 1907), the race went all the way to Nome for the first time. And it also captures the spirit of a long-ago mushing lifestyle, which began to fade away as airplanes and snowmachines made travel between villages and larger towns faster and more convenient. As in Nome’s early days, the whole community celebrates during Iditarod … Joe’s name is called during roll call at every Iditarod Trail Board meeting. The serum run was done in relays and not a grueling, money-oriented 1,100-mile race. witnessed a dog sled race? The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race officially started in 1973, but the trail itself and the use of dog teams as a mode of transportation has a long and storied past. The race commemorated the long history of sled dogs in Alaska and reintroduced that history to modern Alaskans. They also wanted to keep mushing and sled dog culture alive. Wise teachers use the race and the many Web sites connected with it to teach geography, math, reading, and language arts. It puts them in touch with the pioneer spirit.” At this time, Dorothy was fairly ‘new’ to Alaska, and the conversations that she and Joe had blended  with Joe’s knowledge and goals to create a common recognition of the importance of the Iditarod Trail. Sponsored by the Nome Kennel Club, the 408-mile race went from Nome to Candle and back. Mushing is the act of transporting people or goods with the help of dogs, and the driver of the dog sled is c… Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Denali National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks. The race is really a reconstruction of the freight route to Nome and commemorates the part that sled dogs played in the settlement of Alaska. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights, Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse!). In 1964, the centennial of Alaska becoming a US territory was approaching, and she was making plans for the celebration. Myth: Iditarod is run each year to commemorate the Serum Run. The two heat, 56 mile Centennial race between Knik and Big Lake was held in 1967 and 1969. Please try again. Although the race is over 1150 miles long, the race is officially 1,049 miles, since Alaska is the 49th state in the USA . Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. The All Alaska Sweepstakes offered purses between $3,000 and $10,000, and made household names of its champions, notably Scotty Allan and Leonhard Seppala. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is one of Alaska’s most cherished traditions. Dogsledding was developed from a principal Eskimo method of transportation. Experience the Iditarod yourself, from three locations in Alaska: in Anchorage for the. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. The race was dedicated to this great sled dog racing pioneer. Your essay will use research to describe the Iditarod’s history, including the event that inspired the first race. Both the mushers and their dogs were … Follow us on Facebook . As sporting events across the country have been canceled in an attempt to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, 11 sweet athletes claimed victory in one of the world’s most grueling races this week. The first race along the Iditarod Trail was held in 1967. Even after the advent of the airplane, dog teams continued to be widely used for local transportation and day-to-day work, particularly in Native villages. When the Iditarod sled dog teams leave the starting line in Anchorage, they pass by a statue honoring brave sled dogs and mushers, including of the most famous sled dog of them all, Balto, the lead dog of the team that ran the final leg of the famous Serum Run in 1925, that delivered life-saving medicine to the children of Nome in 1925. It is really an Alaskan event. Mushers and a team of 14 dogs, of which at least 5 must be on the towline at the finish line, cover the distance in 8–15 days or more. Correct answers: 1 question: Write an informative essay on the Iditarod dogsled race. *There’s a big myth and it’s time to bust it! As in Nome’s early days, the whole community celebrates during Iditarod week. ... Now have the students take turns reading aloud the 'History of the Iditarod' section of the text lesson. (Slow down) Whoa! The tem­per­ate rain­for­est in Alas­ka stretch­es along a 1000-mile long coastal arc from the bor­der of Cana­da to Kodiak. The Red Lantern is awarded to the last team to finish the race. The tradition was passed along to the Iditarod race and given to the last team across the finish line. Then, interest in the race was lost. Your essay will use research to describe the Iditarod’s history, including the event that inspired the first race. 2-5 day small ship explorations. In warmer climates, wheeled carts are substituted for the sleds. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. Teachers Teaching Tools Homepage. The Iditarod trail goes from Anchorage to Nome. For roughly two weeks, hundreds of dogs will be forced to run about 1,000 miles through biting winds, blinding snowstorms, and subzero temperatures. You can help! Travel on a set itinerary with lodging and tours booked in advance. The Iditarod Sled Dog Race is the product of their vision and persistence. That spirit lives on in Alaska today, and should be celebrated! The race will leave sensitive dogs bloodied, sick, and forever scarred, if they make it back at all. 120 words plzz help - the answers to estudyassistant.com From Kaltag, the home stretch is the same every year: Unalakleet, Shaktoolik, Koyuk, Elim, Golovin, White Mountain, Safety Roadhouse, and Nome. (Let’s go) Haw! For 10 days each March, the 1,049-mile journey from Anchorage to Nome turns the world’s attention on today’s sled dog heroes and the. Stops include Seward (Kenai Fjords), Girdwood, Whittier & Spencer Glacier, Stops include Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali National Park & Fairbanks. (see bottom of this page) This page is one small part of Good Sites for Kids! This grueling 938-mile race was first run in 1973, but its inspiration goes back much further. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. Join Alaska's Iditarod Sled Dog Race action on a private tour including ceremonial and real race starts, the Iditarod Mushers Drawing Banquet, winter festivals & more. The Iditarod dog-sled race alternates routes given the year: for even-numbered years the northern route is used, and for odd-numbered years the southern route is used. It is sometimes called the "Last Great Race." Joe never did win the race he loved so much, but that wasn’t as important to him as just being on the trail with his beloved sled dogs. In 1974, the second Iditarod, Fairbanks’ Mary Shields and Nenana’s Lolly Medley made history as the first two women to run in the race. In the 1920s for example, newly arrived settlers looking for gold used dog teams in the winter to travel along the historic Iditarod Trail and into the gold fields. The Iditarod is a 1,100 mile sled dog race starting in Anchorage, Alaska and ending in Nome, Alaska. The Iditarod is very harsh and dangerous with almost unbearable conditions. The history of the Iditarod has … Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, Guides to the best locations around the state to view wildlife. Participating sled dogs have to be taught to respond to standard commands like: Hike! Dorothy G. Page, the “Mother of the Iditarod” is quoted in the October 1979 issue of the Iditarod Runner on her intent for the Iditarod: “To keep the spirit of the Iditarod the same. Although Alaska's Iditarod trail is best known today for the annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, the race is really only one aspect of the trail's rich history. The Winter Olympics at one time was considering adding sled dog racing as an event and several sled dog races were held in Norway in conjunction with the 1994 games. Sled teams delivered mail and supplies to such towns as Nome and Iditarod and carried out gold. The 2020 Iditarod death race has begun. Dogsled racing, also called sled dog racing, sport of racing sleds pulled by dogs, usually over snow-covered cross-country courses. Alaska Railroad: Adventure Class or Goldstar Dome Car Service? In 1964, the Wasilla-Knik Centennial Committee was formed to look into historical events in Alaska, specifically the Mananuska-Susitna Valley, over the past century. Redington had two reasons for organizing the long-distance Iditarod Race:  to save the sled dog culture and Alaskan huskies, which were being phased out of existence due to the introduction of snowmobiles in Alaska; and to preserve the historical Iditarod Trail between Seward and Nome. The All Alaska Sweepstakes offered purses between $3,000 and $10,000, and made household names of its champions, notably Scotty Allan and, The Iditarod Sled Dog Race carries on the racing tradition started in those early days. Iditarod does not honor history “With reference to Thomas Thuneman’s letter, it needs to be said that the Iditarod Race does not honor history (“Iditarod dogs love running, and race reminds us of history,” May 14). Her enthusiasm, drive, and love of history opened the world’s eyes to the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race®. The checkpoints for the first half of the current race are Anchorage to Campbell Airstrip, Willow, Yentna Station, Skwentna, Finger Lake, Rainy Pass (Puntilla), Rohn Roadhouse, Nikolai, McGrath, Takotna, and Ophir. These days, technology makes it easy for everyone to track all the racers from checkpoint to checkpoint. I think the fact that it starts in Anchorage and then ends in Nome has opened up a whole new area for people in Alaska. Imagine running through 1,049 miles of ice with pure adrenaline coursing through your veins. In the early 1900s, Nome’s residents learned how to have fun during the long, dark winter months. However, Joe Redington never lost interest, instead his vision grew into a never conceived of before long-distance race. Truth: Although that event is an extremely important event in the history of Alaska, the fact is, the founders of the race did not take the Serum Run into account when creating the race. With much volunteer labor (the start of a fundamental Iditarod tradition), the first part of the trail was cleared, including nine miles of the Iditarod Trail. The mushers travel from checkpoint to checkpoint much as the early freight mushers did. Mushers and dog sleds played a heroic role for the state’s residents and doctors decades before, and below is a helpful guide to the history. The southern route came at a later date to increase the exposure to neighboring villages, with the passing through the city Iditarod …