9 Things You May Not Know About The Iditarod Sled Dog Race - Part 2
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Trivia
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is the most famous sled dog race in the world. It was first held in 1973 and is held once a year and covers the approximately 1,151 miles from Wasilla to Nome, Alaska. There is a ceremonial start of the race that takes place in Anchorage before the actual restart in Wasilla.
So, here are:
9 Things You May Not Have Known About The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race – Part Two
- There is actually a northern and a southern route to the Iditarod Race. The northern race is run on even numbered years and the southern race is run on odd numbered years.
- The Mackeys (Father Dick and brothers Rick and Lance) have all three won the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
- Dogs that become exhausted on the trail and cannot continue are dropped off at checkpoints, transported to the Correctional Center at Eagle River and cared for by inmates until picked up by their handlers or owners.
- Rick Swenson has won the race five times, including winning it in three different decades (70’s, 80’s, and 90’s).
- Near the end of the race, the route passes in front of a saloon once owned by Wyatt Earp.
- The trail route passes through the one-time mining town of McGrath. McGrath should be noted as it is the first town in Alaska to receive mail by air in 1924.
- Unalakleet, a small village along the Iditarod Trail is the largest Native American community the sled race goes through with a population of just over 700.
- In 1985 Susan Butcher, who would go on to win the Iditarod Race on four occasions, lost the lead when her dogs were attacked by a pregnant moose.
- The Red Olson Trail Arch in Nome has traditionally been the finish line of the race. In 2001, the arch was destroyed by dry rot and years of inclimate weather and replaced by a new arch. The old arch carried the words “End of the Iditarod Dog Race”, while the new arch added a word and reads “End of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race”.
- The last musher to cross the finish line is awarded the “Red Lantern” in significance of the spirit of perseverance.
