ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The 53rd edition of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is set to be the longest in its history, covering a grueling 1,128 miles (1,815 kilometers) due to a lack of snow in Alaska. This year's race will see a field of only 33 mushers, tying with 2023 for the smallest number of participants ever.
The Iditarod, which honors Alaska's sled dog traditions, was first held in 1973 with 34 mushers. Over the years, the race has faced challenges such as inflation, animal rights concerns, and the impacts of climate change.
The event commemorates the historic Iditarod Trail, a vital freight-and-mail route from Seward to Nome. This year, the race will also pay tribute to the 1925 Serum Run, where sled dog teams saved Nome from a diphtheria outbreak.
Each musher is required to start with at least a dozen dogs, with a maximum of 16 throughout the race, potentially totaling up to 528 dogs on the trail. The ceremonial start in Anchorage will feature a limit of eight dogs per team, totaling 264 dogs.
Despite being known as a 1,000-mile (1,609-kilometer) race, the Iditarod's distance varies yearly. This year's route will be a record-breaking 1,128 miles (1,815 kilometers) due to the need for a new path without snow.
During the race, the sled dogs will go through approximately 100,000 booties to protect their paws from the harsh winter conditions. Additionally, mushers will have around 180,000 pounds (81,647 kilograms) of dog food delivered to checkpoints along the route.
The Iditarod, which starts with a ceremonial event in Anchorage and officially kicks off in Fairbanks, is a test of endurance for both mushers and their loyal canine companions as they navigate the challenging Alaskan terrain to reach the finish line in Nome.
