Alaska News

Nome contributes $50,000 to cash-strapped Iditarod race

The cash-strapped Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race picked up another big donor check on Tuesday when Nome contributed $50,000.

"The Iditarod is an important celebration of Alaskan life, but it's also an important economic engine for the city of Nome and generates millions of dollars in economic activity for many communities and businesses in the state," said Nome mayor Denise Michels in a press release.

During the last 10 years, she said, Nome has seen a $40,000 to $60,000 surge in tax revenues during March, when the race ends. Nome has a 5 percent sales tax as well as a bed tax.

"For a lot of businesses in rural Alaska, the Iditarod is that little boost that gets them through the winter," Michels said.

This is the second major donation since race officials laid out their financial woes in December. Earlier this month, four-time champion Jeff King donated $50,000 to the race purse, an unprecedented donation by a musher.

Iditarod executive director Stan Hooley announced last month that a funding shortfall of nearly $1 million had accumulated over 12 months as sponsors pulled out and video deals collapsed.

"This comes as incredibly welcome news," Hooley said of Nome's donation, "particularly given our financial challenges over the past year or more. There are many things that we appreciate about the city of Nome, but in the end what makes the community is its people. It's a special place, full of special people, with a 'can do' attitude."

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No city is linked more closely to Iditarod history than Nome, where mushers pass under the fabled burled arch to complete their 1,000-mile journey from Anchorage. In the 1925 serum run, which the race commemorates, 20 mushers ferried diphtheria antitoxin across Alaska to Nome in less than six days to ward off an epidemic and save the city.

This year's race begins March 6 in Anchorage, when some 70 mushers will get behind teams of up to 16 dogs. The race will follow its northern route, passing through such Yukon River towns as Ruby and Galena. As always, it will end in Nome.

"Our city council is very, very conscious that this is the public's money we're spending," Michels said. "And it's been supportive. The Iditarod, it's huge. It's part of a big month of events in Nome, and we want it to stay strong."

Reach reporter Mike Campbell at mcampbell@adn.com or 257-4329.

By MIKE CAMPBELL

mcampbell@adn.com

Mike Campbell

Mike Campbell was a longtime editor for Alaska Dispatch News, and before that, the Anchorage Daily News.

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