Since the Iditarod is running right now, and it's the first year in a long time that we haven't been in Alaska to follow it, I thought that I would diverge from our travels for a bit. The following are photos I took at the 2007 ceremonial start in Anchorage.
For those that aren't aware, the Iditarod does a fundraiser called the Iditarider auction each year in which people can bid to ride with specific riders for the first 8 miles of the ceremonial start. When you see riders in the sleds, that's who they are. You may also notice that in some instances, the dogs are actually pulling
two sleds. The second sled is manned by a handler for the musher and is used to slow the dogs down because they are so anxious to get running that the can get going
too fast.
For several years, I was able to work the same spot at the Iditarod- 4th Ave. & Cordova (the benefits of seniority). There are several reasons I requested that location, not the least of which is the fact that I could watch the dog teams from the start, and I would get to see them take the first turn of the race onto Cordova, which sometimes proved interesting, as the photo above depicts. Again, those dogs are so anxious to run, and that, combined with the huge crowds, the excitement of the start, and a sometimes inexperienced handler on the drag sled, occasionally makes for some interesting mushing. I never had a team go up over the berm there, but there were some close calls that sent spectators scattering.
For those that think this race is cruel to the dogs, take a close look at these pictures- these dogs live to run. If you ever have a chance to go to the start of the Iditarod, do so. The cacophony of howling dogs who are practically jumping out of their skin to start running will forever dispel any thoughts of cruelty. These dogs are cared for in a manner similar to some of our top professional athletes. It seems that each year you hear of a dog or two dying on the trail. What you have to remember is that you're talking about well over 1000 dogs, and statistically speaking, it would be surprising if there were no problems over the three week period of the race. In each instance, the circumstances are closely scrutinized and a necropsy is performed to find a cause of death in order to figure out whether anything was done wrong, and what could be done better. Often times, they find that there was an preexisting condition or undiagnosed heart irregularity, much as we sometimes learn when an otherwise perfectly healthy human athlete tragically dies while participating in the sport that they love. Anyway, I'll step off of my soapbox now.
With that, I'll call it a post, and I'll get back to the travels next time.
