· The Iditarod trail sled dog race runs over 1,100 miles from Anchorage in south central Alaska to Nome along the Bearing Sea. It takes from 10 to 15 days to complete what has been called the “last great race on earth.” The Iditarod is not an easy race; it is run in sub-zero temperatures with blizzard winds that can make it impossible to see.
Imagine the excitement for those who are competing in the race. The musher with 12 to 16 dogs preparing to make the long run can picture crossing the finish line in Nome as champions, but after 7 or 8 days of hard work and battling the weather the musher and his dogs just hoping to survive the race. They are worn out and exhausted perhaps the musher even has thoughts of just giving up; it’s time to quit.