TODAY'S NEWS
Rachael Scdoris, 21, is trying to be the Iditarod's first legally blind finisher.
(By Al Grillo -- Associated Press)
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
For Iditarod Racers, No Place Like Nome
And they're off!
Eighty-three teams of mushers and dogs set off last weekend on the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The winning team will cover more than 1,100 miles in nine or 10 days.
Here are some facts about the famous race:
· The first Iditarod from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska, was run in 1973. It is run, in part, to remember a lifesaving sled dog relay in 1925 that sent much-needed medicine from Anchorage to Nome.
· The musher is the person who drives the dog sled. Author Gary Paulsen, in his third Iditarod, dropped out of the race yesterday morning.
· Each sled dog team has 12 to 16 dogs. Many of the dogs used are malamute and Siberian huskies, although other dog types are used.
· Dogs are actually faster than horses over long distances. They can average 8 to 12 miles an hour for hundreds of miles.
· Iditarod is an Indian word that means either "distant place" or "clear water."
· Because the cold, snow and distance can be hard on the dogs, there are about 35 veterinarians to care for the animals during the race. However, dogs have died during the race.
