The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is an annual long-distance sled dog race run in early March from Anchorage to Nome, entirely within the US state of Alaska. Mushers and a team of 12-16 dogs, of which at least 5 must be on the towline at the finish line, cover the distance in 8–15 days or more.
The Iditarod began in 1973 as an event to test the best sled dog mushers and teams but evolved into today\“s highly competitive race. Teams generally race through blizzards causing whiteout conditions, sub-zero temperatures and gale-force winds which can cause the wind chill to reach −100 °F （−73 °C）. The trail runs through mountain ranges, frozen rivers, dense forests, and desolate tundra.
The race is the most popular sporting event in Alaska and the premier dog sled race in the world. The Iditarod is regarded as a symbolic link to the early history of the state and is connected to many traditions and historical events. |
