2012 Iditarod

In spite of my reservations about dog sledding from my January sled ride, I couldn't pass up an invitation to attend the start of the Iditarod race...one of the most popular and well known Alaskan events around.

There was a ceremonial 'start' in downtown Anchorage on Saturday, but the official start of the 40th Iditarod race took place Sunday, in Willow, Alaska, about 75 miles north of Anchorage.  I rode up with some friends, one of whom was going to assist with one of the dog teams as a dog handler.
It was definitely unlike anything I've ever experienced before...
how do you transport 16 dogs and a sled?

The dogs each have a kennel with hay to bed down on while the sleds are stored on top of the vehicle...

some mushers kept their dogs kenneled until closer to the start time

others had them out, tied to the trucks...

 catching some zzz's before the race begins...

and even dogs must provide urine samples...

how does one go about getting a dog urine sample?  By tying a baggie around it's waist

I wonder how one gets the job of dog urine sample tester...
There are a variety of different sleds...and they are very well packed...

lots of extra dog booties for their feet...

the dogs are lined up, getting checked over and prepped for harnesses...

there are 66 mushers participating this year...17 of those mushers are female...this is Kristy Barrington (above), one of the competitors...her twin sister is also competing this year...

This is another musher, DeeDee Jonrowe...it was her dog team that my friend was there to assist...she is a tiny little thing ~ she ran her first Iditarod race in 1980 and she has finished in the top ten 13 times.  She holds the record for the fastest female to run the race.  She is also a breast cancer survivor...

This is Lance Mackey...he is the first musher to win the Iditarod 4 years in a row...and he is the only person who has won both the Iditarod AND another 1000 mile race, the Yukon Quest, 2 years in a row (that race is run approximately 3 weeks BEFORE the Iditarod...talk about some amazing dogs!!).  His father and brother have also each won the Iditarod...He is also a throat cancer survivor.

Last year's Iditarod winner, was John Baker, a Native Alaskan, and the first Inupiat to win the race.  He also set a new record, completing the race in 8 days, 18 hours, 46 minutes and 39 seconds...beating the former record by 3 hours (the first race in 1973 was completed in just over 20 days).

Many, many people turn out for the start of the race

There were even tailgaters in the parking lot...who needs the NFL when you have the Iditarod? :)

The sound of the dogs barking & yelping in excitement gets louder and louder...each musher lines up at the starting banner...

they take off every two minutes...

the first team getting ready to go...

Here is DeeDee all layered up and ready to go...guiding her team to the front

And here is Lance having a final discussion before taking off...

some of the dogs have the most beautiful eyes...

The mushers have a team of dog handlers to assist them prior to the race, right up until the announcer says 'go'...without these handlers, the mushers would be hard pressed to keep their team from just taking off. 

This is Jaimee Kinzer, and this is her first Iditarod race...

Jeff, assisting with Jaimee's dog team

final prep before taking off...

This is a small video clip I took just showing some of the dogs excitement and anticipation before getting to take off...DeeDee's team getting ready to line up next...

Last year's winner, John Baker, preparing to take off...he's #11, and just casually walks up to get on his sled in the last seconds...the team behind him is preparing to line up and those dogs are READY to go...

Many of the mushers are obviously from Alaska...but there are also some participants from the lower 48, including at least 2 from Colorado and one from Kansas.  Norway was also represented by one or two participants.
Some other random facts:
- There are actually 2 routes for the Iditarod race - on even numbered years, they run the northern route, on odd numbered years they run the southern route.  The northern route is actually 1112 miles long and the southern route is 1131 miles long, but the 'official' length of the race is 1049 miles in honor of Alaska being the 49th state.  The race starts in Willow, AK and ends in Nome, AK.
- There are 52 vets assisting throughout the race this year and spread throughout the various checkpoints to ensure the health and safety of the dogs.
- Mushers start out with 12-16 dogs but may 'drop' dogs along the way if they have any that are having health issues or not able to continue.  However they cannot trade / swap out dogs for others along the way - the dogs they start with are the ones they must cross the finish line with.
- The winner of the race wins $50,000 and a brand new truck...there are also smaller cash prizes for the other top 29 mushers who cross the finish line...this really isn't a lot of money for them considering the amount of money they must put out for equipment, training and food for the dogs.  It obviously takes a certain kind of person, who has a love for the sport and the dogs to compete in this race. 
It was a beautiful, sunny day (high teens, low 20s) to start the race...it most likely won't stay that way for them in the coming days, but you never know...they seem to be prepared for just about anything...the link to the official Iditarod webpage is here.  There is a lot more information about the race if you're interested in more details...
It will be fun to follow along and see how they all do...