FOR LIZ'S CLASS

Hi from Alaska:
Just a little information about the Iditarod before you follow it on the computer.
The Iditarod is a dog sled race that was started in the early 1970's. They fashioned this race on the famous
"Serum Run" many years back when there was a diptheria epidemic in Nome. In order to get the serum to Nome to help stop this epidemic the only transportation was by dog sled as it was winter and the land was frozen. They mushed north by dog sled, carrying the serum, each team carrying it from one team to the next all the way to Nome. With this serum they were able to help the people.
Today it is a race from Anchorage, where it is the ceremonial start for the people to see and then they restart the race (for real) in Willow, Alaska. The race is 1,049 miles. (really is 979 miles but  1,000 sounds better and Alaska is the 49th state in the union). Not many people know that fact. This year there were 62 teams with 47 teams finishing the race in Nome. They run for approximately 8-12 days. There are two stops they must take one for 8 hours and one just before the end of the race in White Mountain for 24 hours so they will be a little more rested for the end. There are many rest stops along the way called checkpoints. The dogs wear booties to protect their feet from the uneven, rough ground and cold. The dogs are also checked by a vet at each checkpoint in the race. One of the checkpoints is in Unalakleet where I was. You can see some pictures of that. When the musher comes into a check point the dogs are checked and the musher only takes care of the dogs right away--feeds them and puts straw down for them to sleep on. They rest first then the musher can go into the checkpoint, warm up, dry their clothes, get some food and drink, maybe rest for awhile and then get back on the trail.
The main concern is for the dogs. They are very well taken care of and there are prizes at the end for those who take the best care of their dogs. If anyone does not treat their dogs well they are taken out of the race.
You can either WITHDRAW from the race (the officials tell you can't go on) or SCRATCH from the race (the musher realizes he and and dogs can't go on for many different reasons, someone gets hurt, they are too tired or many other reasons).
The mushers and their teams prepare a long time and go on many "runs" before the race so everyone will be used to the long distances, get stronger and be in good shape when the race starts in the beginning of March each year.
The winner gets money and a truck and lots of praise and photos. The next ten mushers get money and again lots of praise and photos. The remaining teams get prizes as well. The very last person is called the
RED LANTERN. This person blows the lantern out when they arrive in Nome signaling the end of the race.
Everyone that runs in this race is a winner to me!! There is a big banquet for all the mushers and followers where prizes are given out and everyone celebrate with a delicious dinner.