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Iditarod 38 ~ Lance Mackey ~ 4th Win

 After eight hours of rest Lance Mackey left White Mountain with his eye on the prize in Nome.
"8 days, 23 Hours, 59 Minutes, 9 Seconds making him the second musher to ever eclipse the 9 day barrier"
(Official Iditarod website).
He started with 16 dogs & ended with 11 dogs.

 
 
 
 
Helen Hegner:Alaska Dispatch
 
 
 
Photo Credit: Carol Falcetta
A Thousand Words
 
 
 
 
 


Northern Route of Iditarod 2010

 
Mackey arrives in Elim
 

 

 

Iditarod ~ Nome, Alaska 

Lance Mackey left White Mountain after 8 hours of rest. He has 77 miles to go to reach the finish line in Nome. Hans Gatt is an hour or so behind him. Will he catch the 3 year in row champion?

 

 

 

Iditarod ~ White Mountain, Alaska

March 16, 2010 ~ Lance Mackey made it to White Mountain at 8:47 p.m. Alaska time (March 15). He is now required to take an eight hour rest before setting out for Nome ~ where he will find the finishing line. After leaving White Mountain the next checkpoint is Safety, 20 miles from Nome. The weather outside of Nome is mostly clear ~ the wind will be to their back with a temperature low around -5 with a high around 20 degrees. 

 Jeff King ran a good race against Lance, but Lance had the better game plan. King says he will be retiring after this year from the Iditarod. Hans Gratt, who won the Yukon Quest, hoped to follow in Mackey's shoes where Mackey made history in 2007 when he won the Yukon Quest and a few weeks later the Iditarod, but Mackey and his team of dogs proved to be the better runners. 

 To learn more about Lance Mackey, checkout the following link ~ Lance Mackey & his Comeback Kennel

 
Lance Mackey leaving the starting gate 2010 Iditarod
Credit: akphotograph

 

 

 

News 2010

arch 9 ~ Tuesday

This is day two since the official start of the Iditarod. Several mushers have already made it to seven checkpoints and will soon be arriving at the 8th. The last place the leading mushers checked into was Nikolai. The temperature was around 6 below with the chill factor 20 below.

The top ten mushers after leaving Nikolai are: 

Be sure to check back tomorrow for another update.

 

The Iditarod ceremornial start got underway yesterday, March 6. Today at 1:45 p.m. Alaskan time (5:45 p.m. eastern time)the official Sled Dog Race will begin in Willow, AK. After reviewing interviews and seeing weather/trail reports the mushers are ready and prepared for whatever obstacles they meet as they make their way to Nome. I will keep you up to date here on what is happening on the trail. Here is a link that shares why there is so much excitement about the Iditarod.

Rainy Pass Lodge and Checkpoint

 The Morning Passes...
 

 


Other Places to find Iditarod Information

 

 Non-Fiction Books on the Iditarod:
 
Adult Books
  • 1049 Miles: The Call of the Iditarod
    by Terry Adkins (1977 – out of print) Adkins, the only veterinarian serving the first Iditarod in 1973, wrote his reflections of the race after his 21st run in 1998. 
  • The Alaska Almanac: Facts about Alaska
    by Alaska Northwest Publishing, Editor (November 1, 2008 – 32nd Edition)Revised annually, this is considered the definitive guide to the state, featuring facts, amusing details, history, maps, book lists, and even tips on living in Alaska.
  • Gold, Men and Dogs
    by Allan Alexander (Scotty) Allan (1931 – out of print)
    Famous as an early 20th century musher and dog trainer who dominated the 400-mile All-Alaska Sweepstakes, Scotty’s autobiography includes his training of 450 sled dogs for French military use during World War I.
Young Adult Books
  • Arctic Peoples (Native American)

    by Craig A. Doherty (2008)
    Part of a ten-volume set called Native America, this book explores the history and culture of the Native American Arctic peoples, and includes a timeline, related websites, and a list of museums.
    Young Adult

  • Woodsong
    by Gary Paulsen (1990)
    Gary Paulsen’s experiences as he trains and ultimately runs the Iditarod dogsled race.  Paulsen vividly describes the effects of bone-chilling cold, physical exhaustion, and the spirit of competitiveness that dominates the event.  Grades 6 and up.

  • No End in Sight: My Life as a Blind Iditarod Racer
    by Rachael Scdoris and Rick Steber (2006)
    The story of Rachael Sedoris, who legally blind, becomes the youngest athlete to complete in a 500-mile race, but her goal is to run the Iditarod.  With the help of a visual interpreter and insurmountable courage, Rachel competes in the Iditarod.  Grades 6 and up.

 Children Books

  • Dogs of the North
    by Alaska Geographic Society (Vol 14, No 1, 1987)
    Alaskan working dogs and their history are detailed in this reference book, which includes photographs and biographies of sled dogs and mushers.
  • Children of the Midnight Sun: Young Native Voices of Alaska
    by Tricia Brown (1998, 2007)
    Named a “Best Book of the Year” (1998) by both Parenting Magazine and School Library Journal, Children of the Midnight Sun profiles the lives of eight Native American Alaskan children and includes photographs by Roy Corral.
    Grades 3 – 7
  • Born to Pull
    by Bob Carey (1999)
    With illustrations by Gail de Marcken, author Carey introduces dog mushing and life on the trail, emphasizing the bond between musher and dog.
    Ages 4 – 8