Just about a million dogs getting ready for the Iditarod sled-dog race
Imagine tons of adorable dogs, gathered together to go on the journey of their lives. If you happened to be in Anchorage, Alaska last night, this was scene at the start of the 45th Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
More than 70 dogs gathered in preparation for the 1,000-mile race, which starts in Settler’s Bay and ends in Nome.
The first race was held in 1973 and is held annually on the first week of March. The trail typically takes between 10 and 15 days to complete, and is no easy feat. The dog teams, led by their human musher counterparts, traverse challenging frozen terrain.
The official Iditarod site describes just how intense the conditions of this race are.
It says the course includes, "jagged mountain ranges, frozen river, dense forest, desolate tundra and miles of windswept coast at the mushers and their dog teams. Add to that temperatures far below zero, winds that can cause a complete loss of visibility, the hazards of overflow, long hours of darkness and treacherous climbs and side hills, and you have the Iditarod."
Dog sledding is an important part of Alaskan history and culture, and an event that the state rallies around. If you were a child of the ’90s, you likely remember Balto, the movie based on the 1925 serum run that saved Nome during a deadly diphtheria epidemic. The real Balto was guided by Norwegian musher Gunnar Kaasen who arrived with antitoxins to help fight the disease. So amazing.
But the event isn’t just exciting for Alaskans. The whole world gets riled up for these dogs, and Twitter was no exception.
Check out some of the best (and cutest) tweets from the start of the race.
Ouch, our hearts.
#Iditarod notebook: Puppies steal the show, mushers rave about the trail, and Leo Rasmussen goes for a ride https://t.co/8GrKBHodog pic.twitter.com/pmMhVuY4n7
— ADN Iditarod (@ADNIditarod) March 5, 2017
The start line.
Here at the #iditarod2017 start line meeting 🇬🇧musher Lt Col Roger "Snow Dog" Lee. Best of luck for #lastgreatrace pic.twitter.com/q6OPUcBD8r
— Andrew Whittaker (@UKAWhittaker) March 4, 2017
Ready to mush.
#iditarod2017 Alaska Gov. Bill Walker and I wish mushers and their teams the best of luck as they begin the grueling Iditarod Sled Dog Race. pic.twitter.com/ngkfPp2gzb
— Former Lt. Governor Byron Mallott (@LtGovMallott) March 5, 2017
Dogs on the loose!
AND THEY'RE OFF: The 2017 Iditarod race gets underway in Anchorage, Alaska https://t.co/1Hmh7EL5Hz pic.twitter.com/VTvhTjxG2x
— ABC News (@ABC) March 4, 2017
Look at those dogs go. false
Rounding that curve like a bunch of pros.
Just another day in downtown Anchorage. #Iditarod2017 pic.twitter.com/qQ7zdLF8Xw
— Ali (@ms_alig) March 4, 2017
So much fan support.
Aliy Zirkle passes fans that line Chester Creek Trail.-ml pic.twitter.com/1gzxc6WSx8
— ADN Iditarod (@ADNIditarod) March 4, 2017
They’re so impressive and adorable.
Pete Kaiser through the woods over by Russian Jack Park -dh pic.twitter.com/lmN4ILXsOb
— ADN Iditarod (@ADNIditarod) March 4, 2017
Looks like it’s time to get to Alaska!
