Iditarod addresses & info

[Dave Nelson <dnelson@ESU3.ESU3.K12.NE.US>]

The only up to date URL address with information about this Saturdays noon
start is:

http://alaska.alaskan.com/~iditarod/

This is background info. from a posting last year.

About the Iditarod

The Iditarod is a 1049 mile race over the terrain of Alaska. The mushers
and their dogs will travel over mountain ranges, frozen rivers, thick
forests, desolate tundra and miles of coast. Those are not the only
problems the mushers will face, there are temperatures far below zero and
heavy winds that can cause a loss of visibility. Those who compete in the
Iditarod are not only brave, they are also devoted.

The race starts in Anchorage, Alaska, located slightly south of the
center of the state. From there, the teams of 12 to 20 dogs and a musher
race to Nome, Alaska, located on the western bering Sea coast. The race
itself lasts two to three weeks.

It has been called the "Last Great Race on Earth", and it has won
worldwide acclaim and interest. Television and radio crews from all over
the world have covered the event. The Iditarod is also covered by
newspaper and magazine writers.

The mushers come from all walks of life. For example, there are doctors,
lawyers, fisherman, miners, artists, natives, and people from all
different backgrounds.

Thousands of volunteers help with the great Iditarod. Headquarters are
manned at Anchorage, Eagle River, Fairbanks, Juneau, Nome, and Wasilla.
Food and supplies are flown in for the musher and the dogs. The
volunteers act as checkers, coordinators, veterinarians, and family
supporters for each team.

In 1925, part of the Iditarod trail became a life saving highway for
epidemic-stricken Nome. Diptheria threatened and the serum had to be
brought in; again by intrepid dog mushers and their faithful hard-driving
huskies.

The Iditarod today is a commemoration of those yesterdays, a
not-so-distant past Akaskans honor and are proud of.


**Parts taken from "The Teacher Pack" provided by the Iditarod Trail
Committee.


STUDENT: K. FERGUS

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Dave Nelson                                                8545 Park Drive
Elementary Media Specialist                                Omaha, NE 68127
Ralston Public Schools                         dnelson@esu3.esu3.k12.ne.us
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