Last month, I had an adventure in Breckinridge, CO. My family went dogsledding! It reminded me of the famous Iditarod dog sled race ran every year in Alaska.
Our trip was 10-15 miles and lasted 90 minutes. Six people took turns riding and driving. So there were stops every mile or so. The dog teams we drove paid attention to their handler more than us. She was on a snowmobile in front of the team.
The 50th Iditarod began March 4, 2023. The event started with a parade and celebration in Anchorage, AK. The winner is expected to arrive in Nome, AK late at night on March 13 or early in the morning on March 14.
This year’s field is smaller than usual. Only 33 teams are entered. Each driver, called a musher, will have time to rest. But they must run the whole race. That means traveling across 1200 miles or more of Alaskan wilderness!
If you want to follow this year’s race or learn more about the history of Iditarod dog sledding, visit Iditarod.com.
Here’s a list of children’s books about the famous race. Some are written by women who have competed in the Iditarod.
Kiana’s Iditarod and Alaska’s Dog Hero’s both by Shelley Gill
Storm Run by Libby Riddles
Dogteam by Gary Paulsen
If You Were a Kid at the Iditarod by Josh Gregory
Akiak by Robert Blake
Togo by Robert Blake
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