What is Iditarod?

     Iditarod is an 1100-mile dog sled race first run in 1973. It begins in Anchorage on the first Saturday in March and the winning team arrives in Nome about 9 days later. It is known as "the Last Great Race" and stands up to that claim as fewer people have finished Iditarod than have climbed Mt. Everest. There are about 25 race checkpoints along the trail where mushers can ship supplies and rest along the way. This is a very expensive undertaking, as all the items must be flown out because there are no roads over most of Alaska's interior. Even though Iditarod does not make money on the shipping, the cost in fuel and insurance is huge. All dropped dogs must also be flown off the trail and back to Anchorage.

     I first became interested in Iditarod when my son was mushing and we were fortunate enough to meet Vern Halter from Dream A Dream Dog Farm in Willow, Alaska. At that time he raced for Norwest Bank and later Wells Fargo. Throughout the years we have bought dogs from him and his wife Susan Whiton, also an Iditarod musher and a Veterinarian. In 2009 I will stage out of their kennel in Willow, Alaska and they will help me with the final tune-ups, packing, and getting to the start. I will also take a few of their dogs that have been on the trail. They will pick up dropped dogs and equipment I send back and care for them at their farm until I return.

     I know I will not be at the front of the pack because there are many mushers with much more experience but I do know I will try my best to finish, as I do not quit. I think it is important to show that winning is not always coming in first but in completing the task. It is in trying and completing where we really succeed in life.

     It is with these goals in mind that we ask you to help us complete our goal by buying a mile or whatever you feel you can do to help us.

   Thank you for helping us.