Mushing love

June 25, 2006

BY MARK KELSEY

Frontiersman

MAT-Su - The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race has long fascinated participants and observers alike. Over the years, as the race has gotten increasingly competitive, its allure, too, has grown.

That allure was evident Saturday afternoon at Iditarod headquarters just outside Wasilla, as hundreds of race supporters, mushers and volunteers gathered for the annual Iditarod Volunteer Picnic. The grounds were teeming with folks who came out to spend some time greeting mushers and reconnecting with old friends, while enjoying a tasty buffet catered by the Millennium Alaskan Hotel, the race's official Anchorage headquarters.

Wasilla resident and Palmer Senior Center worker Nancy Grota said she relocated here three years ago because of her longstanding interest in the 1,100-mile race to Nome. Originally a New Englander, Grota said she has worked the race as a food packer and assistant to the veterinarian crews. But, she said, just being close to the race is special.

&#8220I love it,” she said. &#8220The people, the dogs, the whole concept.”

Stan Hooley, Iditarod executive director, said the turnout - around 500 from all over the country - is a just a fraction of the 1,800 volunteers needed to pull off the race every March. He said the annual picnic is a chance for volunteers to be honored for what they do.

He said he's been involved in other sporting events over the years, but nothing that comes close to the Iditarod.

&#8220I've never been around something like this where volunteers are so passionate. The race has become a big part of their lives,” he said. &#8220(The Iditarod staff) works all year to hopefully make the race successful. But this race wouldn't happen without volunteers.”

Hooley also noted the relaxed atmosphere that the mushers seem to enjoy, too, since it gives them a chance to meet volunteers out of the high-pressure and often stressful context of the actual race.

&#8220There's a lot of friendly banter taking place here today between some highly competitive people,” he said.

Among them were a trio of four time winners - local favorite Martin Buser of Big Lake, Montana's Doug Swingley and defending champion Jeff King of Denali Park - and two-time defending Yukon Quest champion Lance Mackey, who camped out for a week in the Iditarod headquarters parking lot so he could be first to draw his bib number.

The Kasilof musher grabbed bib No. 13 in hopes of making history with it in next year's race. Mackey, who will be racing in his sixth Iditarod, is looking to follow in the footsteps of father, Dick Mackey, and brother, Rick Mackey, both of whom won the race in their sixth attempt while wearing No. 13.

The amiable veteran Buser, who will be racing in his 24th Iditarod, said the picnic is a nice event that gives mushers an opportunity to visit with volunteers.

&#8220It's a good way to give back and to honor the volunteers who do so much for the race,” he said.

King agreed. Cradling 3-month-old Salem James Little - son of Iditarod veteran Jon Little and his wife, Bree - in his arms, the race's foremost innovator shared in the spirit of the day.

&#8220We need the volunteers so badly, and they enjoy this,” he said. &#8220So it's a chance to say thanks to them.”

Contact Mark Kelsey at

352-2268 or mark.kelsey@

frontiersman.com.