The dog days of winter

By Kaho Takamura

For Frontiersman.com

At the end of each winter, there is an event unique to Alaska I have wanted to see since before my arrival to Alaska. This popular annual event is the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The race is a long-distance sled dog race run in early March from Anchorage to Nome, a distance of 1,049 miles. Since the Iditarod originated, it has become the most popular winter sporting event in Alaska.

At the starting line, there is warm encouragement from lots of onlookers with a homey atmosphere. I can’t help but feel included in one of the most widely known traditions in Alaska.

In the summer before last, I visited Martin Buser’s kennel. Buser is a multiple Iditarod champion (1992, 1994, 1997 and 2002). There were lots of dogs, including puppies, normal dogs and race dogs. When I visited Alaska the first time, I didn’t know of the existence of the Iditarod at all. But now after watching the Iditarod, I realize how big and important the race is for people of Alaska.

When I arrived at the ceremonial start in Anchorage, there were already massive amounts of people and press on both sides of the street. It was filled with excitement from the tension of the mushers and dogs. It made me so excited, and I felt that it embodied strong power of Alaska at the same time.

I wonder how many people in the world know about the Alaska Iditarod race. I feel that the Iditarod gives people an impression of how rich the culture is in Alaska.

This is my experience through the eyes of a visitor.

Kaho Takamura is an exchange student from Japan enrolled in journalism at Wasilla High School.