The Iditarod’s Alluring Icy Challenge [PHOTOS]
More than 50 contestants and their dog teams are competing in this year’s Iditarod race, currently under way, across the Alaska wilderness in all kinds of weather.
Nathaniel Wilder/Reuters
First year the race was held: 1973 [Similar races had been held before, as recently as the ’60s, and of course there was the famous “race” to take serum to Nome to cure a diphteria epidemic in 1925, a race against time that climaxed when Norwegian Gunnar Kaasen and his now legendary lead dog, Balto, brought the medicine to Nome].
Length of the course: Either 1,131 miles or 1,112 miles [there is some variation in the course, depending on the year: in even numbered years, the slightly shorter northern route is used].
Number of contestants: 50+ [most are from Alaska and include professional dog handlers, as well as amateur hunters, fishermen, and trackers; but other contestants hail from the lower 48, Canada, and overseas and have included biologists, surgeons, lawyers, airline pilots, and veterinarians].
Fastest finish: Dallas Seavey, 2014: 8 days, 13 hours, 4 hours, 19 seconds
Slowest finish: Carl Huntington, 1974: 20 days, 15 hours, 2 seconds
Oldest contestant to win: Mitch Seavey, 53, 2013 [also won in 2004]
Youngest contestant: Dallas Seavey: 25, 2012 [son of Mitch Seavey, Dallas also won in 2014 and 2015]
Victor with the most wins: Rick Swenson [5]
First woman to win: Libby Riddles (1985), who was the only contestant in that race to brave a blizzard in order to win.
Female contestant with the most wins: Susan Butcher [one of only two contestants, male or female, to win four times and the only contestant to finish in either first or second place for five years in a row].
Number of dogs in a team: 12-16
Daniel Leifheit/Getty
A team heads out at the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race to begin their near 1,000-mile (1,600-km) journey through Alaskaís frigid wilderness in downtown Anchorage, Alaska March 5, 2016.
Nathaniel Wilder/Reuters
Rob Cooke's team leaves the start chute at the restart of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Willow, Alaska March 6, 2016. Mushers and dog sled teams from around the world embark on the first leg of Alaska's grueling Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, starting a nearly 1,000-mile (1,609 km) journey through the state's unforgiving wilderness.
Nathaniel Wilder / Reuters
Champion musher Martin Buser's son, Rohn, is seen with his dad's team before the restart of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Willow, Alaska March 6, 2016.
Nathaniel Wilder / Reuters
A team heads out at the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in downtown Anchorage, Alaska March 5, 2016.
Nathaniel Wilder / Reuters
Spectators line 4th Avenue just after the ceremonial starting line of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in downtown Anchorage, Alaska March 5, 2016.
Nathaniel Wilder / Reuters
Musher Justin Savidis's dogs wait in the truck before the restart of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Willow, Alaska March 6, 2016.
Nathaniel Wilder / Reuters
Cindy Gallea's team crosses a lake after the restart of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Willow, Alaska March 6, 2016.
Nathaniel Wilder / Reuters
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