Iditarod

ll news stories about the Iditarod or mushing in general are categorized “Iditarod.”

Two dogs wearing bright orange booties smile wide in their harnesses.

Iditapod: One paw in front of the other

Iditarod mushers took their sled dog teams on an untimed, celebratory fun run from downtown Anchorage on the city’s trails, with hundreds of fans cheering along the way. We hear from mushers and fans – maybe the pitter patter of little dog feet – as well as a joyful bride, a grumpy bear, a curious moose (or three), a former Miss Alaska and her mom, who had a fox on her head, and more!
A musher in a big parka and orange jacket rides down a city street

Iditapod bonus: Extended interview with Brent Sass

Reigning Iditarod champ Brent Sass talks about his hectic life in the tiny town of Eureka, his newfound confidence and his mushing philosophy.
a man hugs a dog outside

Boomer, the ‘bull in a china store’

Iditarod musher Jed Stephensen said the 3-year-old dog is "just a constant explosion."
While, a crowd gathers around a dog team, a spectator offers a passing musher candy.

And they’re off: Iditarod teams start their 1,000-mile dash to Nome

Some mushers were trying to calm their nerves Sunday, and others had nerves of steel.
Two yellow lead dogs in bright pink booties

Iditapod: Iditarod kicks off with a chilly start

Iditarod mushers took their sled dog teams on an untimed, celebratory fun run from downtown Anchorage on the city’s trails, with hundreds of fans cheering along the way. We hear from mushers and fans – maybe the pitter patter of little dog feet – as well as a joyful bride, a grumpy bear, a curious moose (or three), a former Miss Alaska and her mom, who had a fox on her head, and more!
A woman with a wedding dress pets a dog.

Our 25 favorite photos from the 2023 Iditarod ceremonial start

Thirty-three teams and dozens of sled dogs dashed down city streets and trails on Saturday, ahead of the official race start Sunday.
A musher in the snow with a yellow parka drives a team of dogs

This year’s Iditarod field is the smallest in history. Could a bigger prize and more races boost interest?

With just 33 teams in this year’s Iditarod, many are questioning how the organization can keep attracting mushers to the expensive sport.
a dog leans against his owner

Moose, leading the charge to the next snack break

Meet Moose, the “heart dog” for KattiJo Deeter.
dogs run on a trail

The race is on: What to know about the 2023 Iditarod

How are Iditarod trail conditions? Why so few mushers this year? We answer those questions and more.
a dog leaps into the air, on a dog team

Iditapod: Springing back as Iditarod begins anew

That's right, it's Iditarod time, and we're back with another season of Iditapod. In the first episode of our seventh season, host Casey Grove and trail reporters Lex Treinen and Ben Matheson discuss the smallest field in race history and how a quarter of the mushers in the 2023 Iditarod are rookies. We also recap last year's race, talk about the legacy of the late four-time champion Lance Mackey and we even have a Dog of the Day, a spunky little leader named Dusty.
a dog leaps into the air, on a dog team

Dusty, the smallest dog with the biggest energy

Meet Dusty, a leader on Iditarod rookie Jennifer LaBar’s team.
a collage of five photos of mushers

Meet 5 Iditarod rookies from a Denali climber to a former garbage truck driver

More than one in four competitors in this year’s Iditarod are rookie mushers.
Brent Sass 2023 Yukon Quest start

All eyes on reigning Iditarod champ Brent Sass in small, yet competitive field

Nearly all of last year’s top dog teams are returning to the Iditarod, though some of the mushers have changed.

Fur Rondy’s sled dog sprint races draw a large crowd to downtown Anchorage

The three-day sprint mushing event brought veterans and rookies alike, all competing for the glory and prize money in front of a packed crowd.
a musher prepares food outside in a cooler

Yukon Quest sled dog race faces an uncertain future

The once-iconic 1,000-mile race has splintered into separate, shorter races on the Alaska and Canadian sides of the border.
a musher and a small child arrive to Nome

Five Indigenous mushers set to compete in 2023 Iditarod despite rising costs

First climate change and now financial worries are forcing some competitors to stay off the trail this year.
A musher seen in profile going down a river

Yukon Quest is rerouted off Yukon River due to unsafe ice conditions

All race checkpoints will now be road accessible, a change that could increase entries before a sign up deadline that’s been extended until Friday.
a man mushes a team of dogs on the snow

Kwethluk’s Raymond Alexie wins the first race of the Kuskokwim mushing season

Alexie beat the second place finisher, veteran Pete Kaiser of Bethel, by 14 minutes.
A man in a cat in the hat hat on the sled of a dog team

Iditarod veteran Hugh Neff denied entry for 2023 race

Hugh Neff has finished the Iditarod 13 times, placing as high as 5th in 2011. But over the past few years, he has had trouble in both the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest.