The Iditarod isn’t just a dream for mushers, but for fans too

For some, the Iditarod is a lifelong dream. Years of planning and preparation, pouring money and time into making it to Alaska and into the frozen Willow Lake, all in the hopes of seeing the iconic sign that marks the start of the Last Great Race.

This year was no different, with their trucks and trailers waiting in long lines to find an ideal spot and unloading items needed for the event. Once everything was offloaded and teams were ready to go, they made their way through the hordes of fans to set up camp for the next several hours until the mushers began the Iditarod.

But this wasn’t the mushers but the hundreds of fans that turn out every year for the re-start of the Iditarod in Willow.

“I’ve always wanted to come here, since I was 16. Finally saved up enough money, so here we are,” said Charlie Cox, who attended the re-start with his wife, Hollie, who were also celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary.

“We decided this was the year to do it,” she said. The couple made a special trip to Alaska from Nevada, and in addition to watching the re-start, are planning to take the train to Fairbanks and take their own dog mushing adventure. As for who they were rooting for to finish first under the burled arch in Nome, they said they do not have a favorite, instead just in awe of all the mushers and their teams.

The Coxes weren’t the only fans scratching off the Iditarod re-start from their bucket list. The Werths made their way to Willow and had set up their chairs at 10:30 Sunday morning to secure a viewing spot along the chute.

“We were lucky, the chairs came with the camper van we rented,” said Werth, explaining that they had just arrived in Alaska from Indianapolis the day before and rented the camper van as transportation and temporary home as they travel around.

When asked what inspired them to come to Alaska, she said there were a few reasons, one being that she had read about Libby Riddles, the first woman to win the Iditarod, as well as Susan Butcher, and became a fan.

“I read their stories and I was really inspired to learn they were handlers, and everything they achieved.” She said her and her husband thought it would be an awesome opportunity to come up to Alaska because they share a passion for outdoors, having met when they were snow skiing.

“We thought it would be awesome to come to Alaska and see the winter side of things. We do sun and we do snow,” said Chris Werth.

Not only did the couple come with chairs, but also had on heated socks, warm weather gear, and brought lunch and drinks.

11-year-old Wasilla resident Aria Link said that she enjoyed her first time watching the Iditarod sled dog teams take off.

"It's cool," Link said. "It's nice that the dogs get little shoes."

One of the most colorful fans to make their way to the Iditarod is also a recent transplant, as Tamra Dunlap just moved up here from Colorado. Wearing her bright pink furry hat and scarf, she says she wasn’t channeling former Iditarod dog musher great, Dee Dee Jonrowe, but that it was just coincidence.

“So many people have asked me that today, it’s crazy,” Dunlap said, saying that pink isn’t even her signature color. “I found the hat and the rest of the outfit had to come,” she said, pointing to her pink and black snow boots.

As for what brought her to the Iditarod, she said it wasn’t even a question to come.

“It’s been on my bucket list and I just absolutely love it. The sport of it, the history. And it’s Alaska—you have to come out here.” She was prepared for the weather as she had been to the Fur Rondy Running of the Reindeers the day before.

For anyone wanting to come out next year, the Werths recommend to others to plan on arriving early, and of course bring chairs, to stake a spot along the chute, and even suggested creating a checklist for future visitors to the Iditarod re-start, but most important, have fun.

“No one should miss the chance to see this. It’s been just a dream.”