Jr. Iditarod

The Jr. Iditarod is held each year on the last weekend in February. This race is for 14 to 17 year old male and female mushers. The mushers meet at Iditarod Headquarters on Friday night to get their starting number and bib, and to hear about trail updates. The start of the race depends upon the weather, but seems to always be in the Wasilla area. It is about 150 miles long and includes an overnight at Yentna Station. The mushers must feed and care for their dogs and remain outside until their time to leave. After all the work is done and the dogs are napping, the mushers gather by a bonfire and tell their "tales of the trail". They must take a mandatory eight hour layover at Yentna Station.




The race reflects the relationship that has developed during the training and caring of their team. The number of dogs on the gangline for the Jr. Iditarod is ten. They cannot finish the race with less than five dogs on the line. Many of the young mushers go on to run the big Iditarod when they turn 18. It is a wonderful way to see a little more of the Alaskan wilderness and to bond with the dogs they have trained.




It is great to see that there are young adults from not only Alaska but the lower forty-eight, who participate in the Jr. Iditarod. Besides the material objects, gear, sled, gift certificates, etc. given the winner, a scholarship for further schooling is awarded also. The winner also participates in the Ceremonial Start of the Iditarod in Anchorage. He/She is flown to Nome to see the finish of the race. Many of the Iditarod mushers’ children participate in the Jr. Iditarod, and that is fun to watch! It is certainly not just a male’s sport for there are many females who have entered and have won the race and done quite well.