Lately it seems we've been getting a peek of what Alaska deals with during their winter months; right down to, the best ways of getting around town is by ice skates or dogsled. Since 1973 the Iditarod sled dog race has been held on the first Saturday in March. Starting last Fall the Eagle Pack bags of dog food that we carry in my store have been promoting the event and running a contest for a lucky winner to have all expenses paid to attend "The Last Great Race on Earth". I am proud to say Eagle Pack food is made in Mishawaka, Indiana and is a sponsor for the sled dogs. As the official dog food sponsor Eagle Pack will supply food along the trail and will dedicate funds to the health and care of the Iditarod dogs. Another company I do business with is Muttluks. They are the brand of dog boots worn by the Iditarod dogs (a requirement). I have sold more than a few these last weeks. Such an extreme sport requires extremely quality products.

It has been said that the greatest athlete on the planet is the Iditarod sled dog. This race begins in Anchorage ending in Nome and covers 1,049 miles (significant for the 49th state). It is the most extreme and beautiful terrain: across mountain ranges, frozen rivers, dense forests, desolate tundra and windswept coastline. The Iditarod Trail, now a National Historic Trail, had its beginnings as a mail and supply route to the inland communities: mail and supplies went in and gold came out. In 1925, part of the Iditarod Trail became a life saving highway for epidemic-stricken Nome. Diphtheria threatened and serum had to be brought in by dog mushers and their faithful hard-driving dogs in a 5 ½ day relay stretch called "Serum Run".

Early races were over 30 days long but now are between 10 and 17 with the world's record being 8 days and 22 hours. More people have reached the summit of Mt. Everest than have finished the race. Dogs and mushers must have a passion to run. It's different than cross country skiing because it is about spending your life with your dogs. One musher said "when the team is built I have one big dog with 16 tails, 64 legs, 1 sled and myself and during the race I have no other concerns than the dog immediately in front of me".

The object of the race is to determine which musher and dogs can cover the race in the shortest time under their own power without the aid of others. That is determined by the nose of the first dog to cross the finish line. One year the race was won by one second. During the race 45 vets are at 25 mandatory checkpoints. There is a required minimum of 8 hours at two different checkpoints and 24 hours at a third to insure dogs and mushers are properly rested.

I watched an interview with the 2010 winner and was amazed. His name is Lance Mackey and the similarities to another racer named Lance (Armstrong) are uncanny. His father won the Iditarod in 1978 and his brother won in 1983. It was his legacy. In 2001 he was diagnosed with cancer. He was determined to run and in 2002 attempted but was scratched half way due to his illness. In 2005 he won the Yukon Quest, another 1,000 mile race, in his rookie year repeating that race as a winner in 2006, 2007, and 2008 making him the only 4 time Yukon champ in history. In 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 he was the 4 time back to back champion of the Iditarod. The Yukon and the Iditarod are only weeks apart!

March 5th, 2011, is this year's race and it has the following registrants: 47 male and 15 women. 46 are from Alaska, 8 from other states and 8 from other countries.

For fun keep your eye on Marshall Newton and his sled team. He is from Jamaica (of all places) and ran his rookie year last year under the training of Lance Mackey. His country is excited about him, and apparently so is Jimmy Buffet and Margaritaville as they are his sponsors. And we think we're having trouble adjusting to all this ice and cold!

Disney has some winter movies along this theme to curl up and watch during this frigid season: White Fang, Snow Buddies, Snow Dogs and Eight Below.

On Comet! On Cupid! On Donner and Blitzen! Oops. Wrong sled team, wrong musher.