History of the Iditarod

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History of the Iditarod

• Dianne Cline GRC Literature
• Oak Mountain Middle School
• Shelby County Schools

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I. Iditarod

• Iditarod is a sled dog race on the Iditarod Trail
• 1973 - First race to Nome, Alaska

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I. Iditarod

• Idea for race came from Dorothy Page
• She wanted a way to celebrate Alaskas Centennial
  in 1967

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II. Iditarod Trail

• The Trail was used in 1920s by dog sled teams to
  transport mail, supplies, settlers

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II. Iditarod Trail

• Original trail began in Seward, Alaska
• Trail reopened by U. S. Army in 1972 as a winter
  exercise
• Trail known as a winter trail
• Trail crosses remote areas of Alaska

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III. Iditarod Facts

• Dorothy Page is known as the mother of the
  Iditarod
• The northern route (approx. 1112 miles) is run in
  even years
• The southern route (approx. 1131 miles) is run in
  odd years

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III. Iditarod Facts

• Race starts in Anchorage, Alaska (since 1983)
• Usually takes between 9 12 days for 1st musher
  to finish race

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IV. Iditarod Traditions

• A lantern known as the Widows Lamp is lit at
  10 a.m. on the 1st Sun. in March at the trails
  end (finish line)
• The Widows Lamp is extinguished when the last
  musher crosses the finish line signaling the
  official end of the race

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IV. Iditarod Traditions

• A Red Lantern is awarded to the last musher who
  finishes the race as a symbol of perseverance

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V. Iditarod Trivia

• Iditarod is a Shageluk Indian word means clear
  water
• Teams average 16 dogs
• Approx. 65 mushers enter the race each year

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V. Iditarod Trivia

• 26 checkpoints on northern route
• 27 checkpoints on southern route
• Youngest musher was 18 years old oldest musher
  was 88 years old