2022 will see the Golden Anniversary of the Greatest Sled Dog Race on Earth.
Founded by Joe Reddington Snr 50 years ago, the Iditarod is still going strong today.
2021 saw a change in route to the race due to Covid-19.
Mushers started in Deshka Landing and looped back on themselves, when they reached Iditarod.
Dallas Seavey became a 5th time champion and the only champion of this route.
The 50th anniversary of Iditarod will take place starting once again in Anchorage on March 5th 2022 and will end in Nome Alaska.
So far 52 mushers have already signed up to take part in the race. This looks on being the biggest and best Iditarod so far.
2021 winner Dallas has already signed up alongside his dad, Mitch to take part.
Other Iditarod champions also signed up include, Thomas Waerner, Joar Leifseth Ulsom, Martin Buser and Pete Kaiser.
Many more veteran mushers and rookie mushers have put pen to paper and placed their paw print, so to speak, to take part in next years dream race.
Although many Alaskans run the race, international teams work very hard all year round to also take part in the race.
In 2022 teams from Canada, Russia, Norway, Denmark, Sweden just to name a few will also take part.
In 1925 an ouobreak of diptheria hit the city of Nome.
With no other way of getting anti-toxin into Nome due to severe weather conditions it was left to mushers and their dog teams to make the 1000 mile journey between them.
In the race against time to save many lives what ended up being a relay between dog teams through treacherous conditions, ended with lead dog Balto reaching Nome in time to save many sick children.
Balto became so famous a statue of him was erected in New York’s Central park.
However, musher Leonard Seppala and his team led by his twelve year old dog Togo, covered the most miles of the life saving journey.
Alaskan man Joe Reddington Snr had the idea of a great sled dog race which was to commemorate the memory of the 1925 serum run.
Mushers would travel across frozen tundra and through terrifying storms to compete in the 1000 mile sled dog race.
Joe intended to not only keep alive the memory of the serum run but also stop sled dog breeds from dying out.
There have been many champions of the Iditarod since it was born, but none more memorable or inspirational than four time champion, Lance Mackey, who not only completed and won one of the races but did so while battling cancer.
Decades on and that brings us to Iditarod 50.
Many great memories of trail stories, dogs, mushers, survivors and winners.
Again the race will start as always, except 2021, in Anchorage, Alaska on 4th Avenue and will take teams through numerous checkpoints until they reach the town of Nome, where the first musher over the finish line will be crowned champion.
The musher who reaches the half way point at the checkpoint of Iditarod will also receive a wealthy prize and will be noted in history forever.
There are many other acknowledgments given throughout the race, including Rookie of the Year.
The journey will take mushers through such gruelling territory found in places such as Nikolai and White Mountain.
Fatigued mushers will race day and night with mandatory rest stops including one twenty four hour stay.
The excitement of this race is normally electrifying, but the 50th birthday is not to be missed for any fan of sled dog racing.
As well as the race itself the race also celebrates with a pre run of the race the day before known as the ceremonial start, where all teams will leave 4th avenue surrounded by crowds of excited fans and travel 11 miles down the trail with a very lucky rider in their sled.
Another event held during Iditarod week is the Mushers Banquet. This is held at night for all mushers and fans to gather for supper and people get to meet the mushers for chance of photos or autographs and to have a chat or ask questions.
Fans also get the opportunity to bid on sled dog related items which are auctioned of to help the Iditarod annually.
There are also raffles with several cash prizes.
Also in 2022 there are plans for a new archway which will be seen at the start of the race.
I for one are very excited about the 50th anniversary of the Iditarod, it is going to be more magical than ever.
The excitement from the dogs, the dedication and year round hard work of all the mushers, plus the roar of the crowd is not to be missed.
I am sure the 50th Iditarod will be like one big sled dog party for all concerned.
For anyone who cant physically be there in person you can still be part of the excitement from the comfort of your own home by watching footage of the race and interviews with mushers an following your favourites through he Iditarod website.
I will be supporting my favourite mushers as always, Jessie Holmes, Hugh Neff and Brent Sass to name a few.
You can also keep Joe Reddington Snr’s dream alive by sponsoring mushers, whether it be sponsoring one of their dogs, a mile of the race or by buying booties for their team.
Info on how to do this can be given by contacting us with the name of the musher you would like to support.
