Tag Archives: The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

Learn about the interesting Iditarod sled dog race in Alaska, USA

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race (also known as Iditarod) has been held in Alaska (USA) every year since 1973 for racers with 16-dog sled over long distances plus 1,161 miles (1,868 km) from Anchorage to Nome.

This race is to commemorate the journey through the history of medicine to Nome to save people in 1925 when the diphtheria epidemic raged here. Iditarod is considered the most difficult race to test the maximum stamina of humans and sled dogs.

In the race journey, the racers and their dogs have to go through extreme weather challenges ( the temperature drops to minus many degrees Celsius), physical strength (exhausted after many days of racing), and spirit. The record for this track is currently held by Martin Buser with the time record of 8 days, 22 hours, 46 minutes and 2 seconds, set in 2002.

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race has been held in Alaska (USA) every year

The greyhounds were born and raised on professional dog ranches in North America. When the transport and transportation functions in the snow and ice areas have been taken care of by specialized mechanics, these camps focus on training dogs and mushers – the coachman – to serve races such as the Iditarod Trail.

A group of dogs pulled on the Kuskokwim River towards Mc Grath, Alaska. During the cold season, the river freezes on the surface and becomes the ideal path of transportation for flocks of dogs.

On this snow-white track, the team had to cross the slippery slopes

Seen from above, the track for the racing team created by snowplows is as beautiful as the lines drawn from smooth curves. A resting place on the slopes of the racing races. Musher sleeps in mobile shacks, while dogs lie on a straw spread outdoors.

In areas with heavy snowfall like Crople, snowplows must form zones for dogs to rest. Scrape off the cold snow above, and warm straws that are exposed to the ground will make the dogs more comfortable.

The 40th Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from March 3-19, 2012 with the promotion of 25-year-old Dallas Seavey, has surpassed both his father and grandfather to become The youngest racer who wins the Iditarod tournament, along with 9 dogs.

The prize for Seavey is 50,000 USD and a new truck. In Iditarod, racers along with the dogs have to pass nearly 1,800km long distances in extreme wild Alaskan weather. Here are other pictures of the Iditarod sled dog racing season 2012 and some other races around the world.