Iditarod 2013

[NorthernFocus]

Yesterday was the ceremonial start of the Iditarod sled dog race. They start in downtown Anchorage and run across town on bike paths and cross country ski trails. People pay big bucks to ride in the sleds for the ten miles or so. The real start of the race is tomorrow in Willow, a small town about 75 miles north of here. The race runs over a thousand miles from there to Nome. It roughly follows the route taken by sled teams that carried medicine to Nome in 1925 to stop an outbreak of diptheria. We went out and took a few shots.



Believe it or not, there is an entry from Jamaica mon...











The following shot is Deedee Jonrowe who has run the race 30 times. This year 16 of 64 entries are women. The most famous female musher is Susan Butcher who won the race four times. She died of cancer a few years ago.

[Shadowman]

Looks like you had a ball.

[FootLoose]

What a great set. I love how you got all the dogs to smile for the camera!

[rpcrowe]

Wonderful portraits of working dogs (at play).

[Plumcrak]

Wonderful shots. Now that looks like a fun time...cold, but fun.

[NorthernFocus]

Glad ya'll enjoyed the photos. Anyone who has been around working dogs knows how they love to work, whether that's retrieving, herding sheep, or pulling a sled. Being around the start line of a sled race is absolute pandemonium with all the dogs barking and trying to get going. They just love it. It's an interesting experience for anyone who loves and understands dogs.