History of the Iditarod from the pages of the Frontiersman

MAT-SU — The earliest mention of Joe Redington Sr.’s plan for a sled dog race from Anchorage to Nome show up in the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman March 4, 1971.

It was Redington, now known as the “Father of the Iditarod,” who decided to organize a more than 1,000-mile race to show off what dogs can do.

According stories found in the Frontiersman archive, the first official Iditarod race was run in 1973. That year, Redington and some of his friends restored sections of the Iditarod Trail.

The annual event also helped to immortalize the Serum Run and a sled dog named Balto. It was sled dogs teams that braved harsh winter weather conditions to deliver diphtheria serum to Nome in 1925.

In its first official year, only 22 mushers completed the Iditarod. In 1983, the race started in Anchorage, as a ceremonial start. People were able to bid on their favorite mushers in order to ride with them for the first few miles.

Today, the ceremonial start in Anchorage continues, followed by the official re-start start in Willow the next morning.

There are two routes the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race follows. The race follows the Southern Route — 998 miles — in odd numbered years, and the Northern Route — 975 miles — in even years. Both routes were used historically to deliver mail, food, supplies and other goods to people strung out at cabins and villages along the trail.

Each musher can choose to stay at a checkpoint for a few hours or overnight, but a 24-hour and an eight-hour layover are required somewhere along the trail. Some of the checkpoints are Skwentna, Rainy Pass, McGrath, Ruby, Kalatag, Unalakeet, and Safety.

In order for this event to continue, people from around the community — as well as national and international volunteers — work as volunteers each year.

Anastasia Snyder is a student at the Alaska Job Corps Center.