Hello Boys and Girls,
I can hardly wait! The Jr. Iditarod begins tomorrow!
Each year, the Jr. Iditarod is held the weekend before the start of Iditarod. This year, twenty one mushers have entered the race. These mushers arrived at headquarters on Friday evening for an important meeting. They learned about the trail, the race rules, and other important information to help them have a successful race.
During the first part of the meeting, the parents are in the room and hear the information that is given to the mushers. After the general part of the meeting, the parents and all other adults who aren’t race staff, leave the room so that the mushers have an opportunity to ask questions. It was fun to watch all of the parents standing around waiting for their Jr. Musher. Everyone was excited about the upcoming race!
I asked a couple of parents if they were nervous about the race. Most parents said they weren’t nervous and that they were very excited for their son or daughter to be in the race because they knew that there had been a lot of training and preparation for this event. I know the dogs aren’t nervous. They know all about running in races, just like their musher does. The mushers and dogs will be having lots of fun.
The race begins Saturday, Feb.23, at 10:00 A.M. in Willow. This is also the ending point for the race. The Jr. Mushers race from Willow to Eagle Song Lodge and then to Yentna Station Roadhouse. After they take a mandatory rest, the mushers will race back to Willow. The mushers will start arriving back in Willow on Sunday morning.
On Sunday evening, there will be a Jr. Iditarod Musher Banquet.
The Target® Iditarod Teacher on the Trail will be in Yentna to see the mushers arrive. Watch her section of the website for an article about the race. (For Teachers section of the website.)
Are you ready to cheer on the mushers? 5-4-3-2-1 GO! Stay tune for information about the race!
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
7 Comments
Hi Zuma!
My fifth grade class in Orange Park, FL, is following the Jr. Iditarod and the “big” Iditarod races this year. We have a question about the Passing Rule: why must the team in front pull over and wait 15 minutes for the passing team to go by? And what happens if another team comes along during that 15 minutes?
Hello Boys and Girls, A team must pull over and not pass the team that asked for trail because it is the rule. Remember, this is a long distance race taking many days. Passing is common because teams travel different speeds at different times. Faster teams come upon slower teams and pass them if they want. Slower teams sometimes speed up and catch up to other teams. Holding the team back for at least a minute helps the passing team pass in a safe way. When the teams are in ‘No Man’s Land’ which is close to Nome, mushers don’t have to let each other pass. Think about this, does the team in the lead always have an advantage? When might it be better to not be in the lead?
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Hey Zuma! Our teacher in Redding, CT is getting involved in both races. I have a question about the time limits. What is the deadline for signing up to the Great Race? Eva
Hello Eva. This year the mushers had to be signed up before December 1. You can read all the rules at the menu tab, For Mushers. That explains everything. Lots of Tail Wags, Zuma
Hey Zuma! We’re learning about the Iditarod in our class and our teacher told us to research you, Zuma. Where might I find a page about you. All I know is that you are a dog organizing a junior Iditarod. Could you tell me more about yourself? Thanks!!!!!
Joe
what are the prizes you could win at the junior iditarod. Hayley
I think Libby’s story is very interesting and funny. My favorite story would be yours because i think it has a lot of details. If I lived in Alaska I would want to watch the mushers go by.
Sincerely,
Jean
Hello I think this is really cool. what is the prize for 1st place?? Kendra
Hello Kendra,
When you are on the http://www.iditarod.com website, click on the Jr. Iditarod site and learn all about the awards.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Hi Zuma! What do think the most exiting thing to do in the Iditarod is.
your friend,
Raymundo
Hello Raymundo,
I think that the most exciting thing for the canines and the mushers is to run the race. The most exciting thing for me is to follow it and to watch the Insider video clips.
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma