The Iditarod - The Last Great Race

March Madness usually refers to basketball. But in Alaska it means The Iditarod, a 1,150 mile dog sled race from Anchorage, across the Alaskan interior and along the Bering Strait Sea to the town of Nome. Started in 1973, it has been called the Last Great Race on Earth and has won worldwide acclaim. This year 62 teams of 8 – 16 dogs from the US and 6 foreign countries are competing in this 8 – 17 days long race. Today it will end with two veteran teams running neck and neck along the Bering Strait coastline for Main Street, Nome. It started on March 5^th with a ceremonious run through Anchorage. Then portage to Willow, AK where the real race began on March 6^th. The teams love to run hard at night so the dogs won’t overheat. But this means serious sleep deprivation for their human mushers. Imagine running hard through the woods at night with just a headlight and the northern lights to guide you. Obstacles and cold, as much as -40º below, are every present. Then only after the dogs are rested & fed, you run again during daylight hours. This race is really all about the dogs, how fit they are and how well they work as a team. The men and women who take on this challenge all love their dogs, the wilderness and view it as an honor to participate in the Last Great Race on Earth. To learn more about it go to www.iditarod.com. Photo: http://thirdgradetrip.wordpress.com/