Iditarod 2012

As it is quickly becoming a tradition, Gretchen and I made the pilgrimage to Anchorage for the start of the Iditarod sled dog race.  This year was extra special.  Our friends Justin and Rebecca at SnowHook Kennels asked for last minute help as “handlers”.  This meant Gretchen put on her official arm band and went behind the scenes escorting sixteen rambunctious canines to the starting line.  Despite a sled carrying three full grown people, and the help of ten people, sixteen dogs managed to drag them forward.  After a few moments its not hard to see the power these creatures have.  They are magnetically drawn towards Nome, a continuous thrust of power forward. 

Racing dogs are just so photogenic.  I lingered for a while, every few seconds snapping a photograph as they continued to model and show off for the crowds.  All images are reduced to small thumbnail size, but click on an image to view in larger slideshow format.

The center blue eyed dog reminds us a lot of our Jack-Jack, though not related by blood.

This is the infamous Whitey-Lance that ran away during Justin’s 2010 rookie year.  Despite having to drop from the race, thankfully after a couple days he was found near a checkpoint.  Now Whitey always wears his official “Where’s Whitey” waldo-striped bandana.

Gretchen provided a lot of moral support and love during the pre-race activities.  Most of the dogs were already booted, harnessed, and hooked up, so she just sat for a quick visit.

Justin and Rebecca Savidis of Willow, Alaska.  Team Showhook Kennel.

One of the things I love most about Iditarod is how everything is centered around the dogs.  They are the ultra athletes.  The blissful joy they get from running and competing is obvious in the energy they exhibit from the streets of Anchorage to the frozen Yukon River.  The mushers are merely the means for which these dogs get to compete.  I’m not trying to down play the importance of the musher as care giver or decision maker in this race.  But merely emphasizing the admiration I have for these dogs, and the attention they get.  I can think of few other sports where animals take on this esteemed status, almost overplaying that of the humans involved.

We’ll be following the Last Great Race closely online.