When was the iditarod race started

There were many who believed it was crazy to send a bunch of mushers out into the vast uninhabited Alaskan wilderness. But the race went! Twenty-two mushers finished that year and to date, there have been over finishers. The late Dorothy G. We brought the sled dog back and increased the number of mushers. It is really an Alaskan event.

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. I think they appreciate that. It puts them in touch with the pioneer spirit. The route the Serum Run took was over a centuries old northern route across Alaska, which was used by the indigenous people, and later trappers and gold seekers.

This was the historic trail Joe worked so hard to preserve. It connected up to the old northern trail system on the Yukon River. In , after 20 years of writing letters and talking to everyone and any one who would listen, the Iditarod Trail finally received national recognition as part of the National Historic Trails Registry.

Here it spilt off to the different gold strikes in Interior Alaska, some going north and hooking up again to the Yukon River Trail in Ruby and heading west or to Anvik on the lower Yukon, heading north to Kaltag. Important Resources for teachers to use to teach about the origin of the race and history of this nearly 50 year old event are:.

Father of the Iditarod by Katie Mangelsdorf Click here to order. COM About. Origin of the Iditarod: How did it all begin? Myth: Iditarod is run each year to commemorate the Serum Run. George said Thursday. Some have argued that using modern technology to find the way north in a race that celebrates the old Alaska is sort of cheating.

Krabloonik dog with open sores on his snout. Krabloonik is owned by Iditarod musher Dan MacEachen. Photo attributed to the Colorado Department of Agriculture. At least dogs have been run to death or have died from other causes in the Iditarod.

There is no official count of dog deaths available. The Sled Dog Action Coalition does not raise money and does not accept funds. Its efforts are completely volunteer-based. All Rights Reserved. Site Design by Sarah Web Design. Sled Dog Action Coalition. Committed to improving the lives of Iditarod sled dogs and providing truthful information about their treatment. Mushers ride! Iditarod history. Dog Deaths and Near-Death Incidents At least dogs have been run to death or have died from other causes in the Iditarod.