It's officially known as the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, but it's often referred to as the Last Great Race on Earth, or simply the Iditarod. It's a competition that pits one dog driver, called a musher, and a team of dogs not only against other racers but against the (often cruel) forces of Mother Nature.
Named for a town in Alaska, the race ceremonially sets off from downtown Anchorage, Alaska, on the first Saturday in March. The next day, the official start of the race occurs farther north. Over the course of the next nine to 19 days, competitors cover roughly 1,131 miles (1,821 kilometers) in a race to reach the finish line in Nome, Alaska.
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race has been held every year since its inception in 1973. The number of participants varies each year (110 mushers, both men and women, entered to compete in the 2008 race). In 2007, 58 mushers finished the race, 23 dropped out and one was disqualified. The current record is held by Martin Buser, who completed the race in 8 days, 22 hours, 46 minutes and 2 seconds in 2002.
The terrain that racers must pass through is tough for even the most experienced musher, and the weather conditions can be brutal. Temperatures range from 50 above zero to 60 below zero, and blinding snow and whipping wind aren't uncommon.
In this article, we'll look at how the Iditarod got its start, what it takes to compete in the race, and some of the hazards encountered on the trail.