Iditarod 25: Tales of the Last Great Race

Anchorage, Alaska

May 26, 2013

Bill Roth / Anchorage Daily News

Iditarod 25:
Tales of the Last Great Race

In 1997, to commemorate the 25th running of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska, the Anchorage Daily News published a special section containing stories and photographs celebrating the history and tradition of the the "Last Great Race." An electronic version of this commemorative edition is available here offering an in-depth look at the race, how it began, and how it continues to perservere, much like the Iditarod competitors themselves.



An Iditarod History	Tales of the last great race Although nearly everthing has changed since that first race, the spirit and the struggle remain the same By Craig Medred, Daily News Outdoors Editor

The Mushers	Success takes a high price Participation of Native mushers falls as the cost of being a competitive Iditarod racer rises By Doug O'Harra, Daily News Reporter Riddles' win opens the door Female mushers proved women can compete with men on a level playing field By Lew Freedman, Daily News Sports Editor Driver or top athlete? Increasingly fit mushers don't want to be the weak link in their teams By Craig Medred, Daily News Outdoors Editor Danger rides along the trail Amazingly, no musher has ever died during the Iditarod despite severe weather and physical exhaustion By Doug O'Harra, Daily News Reporter

The Dogs	Built for speed and endurance Years of breeding and training have created extraordinary canines By Doug O'Harra, Daily News Reporter After 100 years, the husky still reigns The perfect dog By Doug O'Harra, Daily News Reporter Racing the clock -- and winning Every year, mushers slice more time at checkpoints and on the trail, but how much faster can they go? By Craig Medred, Daily News Outdoors Editor

The Technology	Latest gear lightens the load Equipment gets ligher, smaller, tougher and more expensive By Craig Medred, Daily News Outdoors Editor The superhighway to Nome Once a nearly impassable route, today's trail is usually well-marked and packed down By Tim Murray, Daily News Reporter

Father of the Iditarod	Never say no, Joe Determination of Redington, others made Iditarod dream a reality By Natalie Phillips, Daily News Reporter

The Enterprise	A scramble all the way Money concerns have hounded the Iditarod from the beginning By Natalie Phillips, Daily News Reporter Wanted: Healthy, happy dogs From the beginning, animal-rights groups have pressured race officials about dog care By Doug O'Harra and Natalie Phillips, Daily News Reporters

Iditarod 25: Tales of the Last Great Race Staff: Patrick Dougherty, Editor; Richard Murphy, Photo Editor; Jackie Green, Frank Gerjevic, Copy Editors; Pamela Dunlap-Shohl, Mike Campbell, Designers; Ron Engstrom, Kevin Powell, Graphics; Christopher Barth, Web Design.