Sue Allen knows a lot about teaching young people. She teaches physical education at Wasilla High School. She’s also a strong proponent for taking the teachable moments she’s learned on the trail and turning them into learning opportunities in the classroom. Click here for more!
A Very Special Message From a 2008 Iditarod Rookie
On March 1st 2008, Tennessee National Guardsman Rodney D. Whaley began his dream to run the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Whaley made it to Cripple Checkpoint before finally having to scratch.Today, Rodney is busy serving his state and his country with fellow guardsman in the Middle East. He wrote this letter about a recent experience he had over there. We hope you’ll take a minute and read it.
From: Rodney D. Whaley
Today is July 6th, two days after the 4th of July celebration. This morning I got up at 0500 (5 a.m.) and proceeded to the gym to get some exercise. I got there at 0530 and decided I would exercise on the elliptical machine. The room has several elliptical and stationary bicycles. We are also provided with television to watch to help the time go by faster. This morning, the TV was on FOX News. At 0600, Mike Huckabee came on. I think it is called Huckabee and Friends. He stated, as the show came on, that the program would be a tribute to our country with some interviews and some musical entertainment. Now, keep in mind that what we are watching at 0600(6 a.m.) is being broadcast on the east coast at 11:00 p.m., Sunday night, 5 July, and in Nashville at 10:00 p.m. Sunday night. It also appeared to be a re-run from the night before, so it initially ran on the night of the 4th of July in the states. I think.
So here we are, a bunch of soldiers, mostly older soldiers, working out on these exercise machines, watching Mike Huckabee and his patriotic show. He first interviewed an author, and then had Lee Greenwood and his band sing and play. Of course in Lee Greenwood tradition, the song was, God Bless the USA. As the song began, we just continued exercising. Beside me was this rather large, jolly man with a strong Spanish accent. He appeared to be Puerto Rican. When we got to the chorus, this man started singing to the top of his lungs, “I’m proud to be an American” with this strong Spanish accent. Then he stopped his machine and stood beside it at attention and continued to sing. Suddenly, others stopped exercising and joined in. I did too. Then this big Hispanic soldier puts his arms around my shoulders in a “man’s hug.” I sang louder. So did everybody else. All of the machines had ceased by this time and we all joined together, arms on one another’s shoulders singing, “I’ll proudly stand up, next to you, and defend her still today.” These are soldiers who truly were “defending her today, this very day” on foreign soil in a combat zone. The big guy beside me had tears streaming down his face. So did others. So did I. Maybe not big elephant tears, but my eyes were beyond moist. This room had a big glass front to it. Across the hall, with a glass front was the weight lifting room. By the time we hit the last chorus, the folks over there had stopped their weight lifting and were watching this little band of old soldiers, arms around one another’s shoulders, with tears in their eyes singing, “God bless the USA!”
When the song was over, we looked at one another like, “What just happened here!” We got back on our machines, continued our exercise session, and FOX News went to a commercial. It is a moment I’ll never forget.
It’s an honor and a privilege to serve my country,
Rodney
Rodney D. Whaley
The Iditarod Trail Committee salutes Rodney and all those who are and have served in harm’s way so that we can enjoy the freedoms they are charged to protect.
Thank you for your service.
2009 Iditarod Picnic Draws Both Mushers and Volunteers
The 2010 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race first day sign ups began at 9:30 am Alaska time at the Iditarod Trail Committee Headquarters. By the end of the first draw deadline (3:30 pm Alaska Time) sixty mushers had signed up. Four time Iditarod Champions Jeff King and Martin Buser joined three time Iditarod Champion (2007,2008,2009) Lance Mackey along with a number of top ten Iditarod Finishers at today’s sign ups. So far 19 rookies have signed up for the 2010 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
More than 500 volunteers and mushers gathered at the Iditarod Trail Committee Headquarters. They were served a barbeque luncheon by the Millennium Alaska Hotel (The Official Hotel of the Iditarod trail Sled Dog Race). Jeff King (Denali Alaska) and Robert Nelson (Kotzebue Alaska) won their $4,000 entry fees back in a final drawing that marked the end of the 2009 Volunteer Appreciation Picnic.
2010 Musher Sign ups Reach 60!
For more information on the 2010 field, click here!
2009 Volunteer Picnic Begins Saturday, June 27th
The 2009 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Volunteer Appreciation Picnic is scheduled for Saturday, June 27th, at Iditarod Trail Committee Headquarters (Mile 2.2 Knik Road, Wasilla). Activities of interest are as follows:
- 9:30 am – Musher sign-ups for IDITARDO XXXVIII will begin.
- 10:00 am – General membership meeting will be conducted and election results for the ITC’s board of directors will be announced.
- 12:00 noon – Volunteer Appreciation Picnic sponsored by the Millennium Alaskan Hotel begins.
Parking for the Volunteer Picnic is available at the Smith Ball Fields adjacent to the Iditarod Headquarters.
PLEASE READ: 2010 IDITAROD TRAIL SLED DOG RACE ENTRY INFORMATION
The Iditarod Trail Committee (ITC) Board of Directors met on May 29th 2009 and made the following decisions about the 2010 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race:
- The entry fee for 2010 remains at $4,000.
- Change the 2010 sign-up day procedure. There are two pools. If a musher signs up on the 27thof June 2009 (in person or not) you will draw from the pool of all entrants who signed up on that date (relieves travel costs and time expense for mushers). Any entries received after 3:30 pm will be in the second pool.
- There will be a drawing at the ITC HQS on the 27th of June for two free entry fees. Mushers must be present to be included in this drawing.
The ITC Board of Directors made the above decisions based on its recognition of the current economic climate.
The following application forms are required in order to sign up for the 2010 Race:
2010 Iditarod Race application
2010 Musher Release Form
2010 Nome Housing Form
Click here for the 2010 Iditarod Trail Committee Rules.
2009 IDITAROD INSIDER DOCUMENTARY “NATURE’S FURY” PREMIERES ON KAKM!
On Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009, 2009 Iditarod Insider documentary “Nature’s Fury” will air for the very first time on Public Television Channel 7 (KAKM) at 7pm Alaska Daylight Savings Time. The documentary highlights some of the most awe inspiring footage ever taken on the Iditarod Trail. Tune in at 7pm Wednesday, June 3rd for “Nature’s Fury” on Public Television Channel 7 (KAKM).
Iditarod Insider Three-Peats!
On Saturday, May 30, 2009, The Iditarod Trail Committee was awarded an EMMY from the Northwest Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for its documentary “IDITAROD 2008: Déjà Vu“.
“Déjà Vu” is a 90 minute long form documentary produced by the Iditarod Insider and is the Iditarod Trail Committee’s third award in as many years. “IDITAROD 2006: Mother Nature’s Turn to Dance” and “Iditarod 2007: As Tough as They Come” were also awarded the coveted Emmys.
The 46th Annual Northwest Regional Emmy Awards Nomination List represents the selections from television submissions in the northwest region of the United States (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and Montana).
17th Annual Iditarod Sponsorship Appreciation Luncheon Set
WASILLA, ALASKA – (May 17, 2009) On May 19, 2009, (at 12 noon Alaska Time) the Millennium Alaskan Hotel (Official Hotel of “The Last Great Race”) will host the 17th annual Sponsor Appreciation Luncheon. 2009 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Champion Lance Mackey will be the keynote speaker.
The sponsorship family of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is an integral part of the success of “The Last Great Race on Earth.” Many of the sponsors (and their employees) not only support the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race with monetary and in kind resources but they are also part of the more than 1800 volunteers who make the Iditarod a reality!
Three Time Iditarod Champion Lance Mackey Special Appearance in Anchorage
WASILLA, ALASKA – (May 15, 2009) Mr. Three-peat…Lance Mackey will make a special appearance (Tuesday) May 19th d at the Iditarod Gift Shop in the 5th Avenue Mall, Anchorage Alaska.
Lance will be on hand between 5 and 8 pm to greet Iditarod fans and sign autographs from 5 pm to 8pm Tuesday night.
The Iditarod Gift Shop is located on the first floor of the 5th Avenue Mall in Downtown Anchorage. Bring along your favorite Iditarod memorabilia and have it autographed by the 2007, 2008, and 2009 Iditarod Sled Dog Race Champion… Lance Mackey.