Robert Forto

lance mackey

Iditarod 40: Winnings

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As the 2012 Iditarod draws to a close with the winners crossing under the burled arch in Nome in just a couple hours, a lot of folks are interested in what the winner(s) will take home.

The top 30 finishers in Iditarod 2012 will take home a combined $550,000. Here’s the list, by position, according to Iditarod officials:

— 1st
$50,400 and a 2012 Dodge Ram 4×4 trucks

— 2nd
$46,500

— 3rd
$42,900

— 4th
$39,600

— 5th
$36,500

— 6th
$33,600

— 7th
$30,900

— 8th
$28,400

— 9th
$26,000

— 10th
$23,900

— 11th
$21,800

— 12th
$19,900

13th
— $18,200

— 14th
$16,600

— 15th
$15,000

— 16th
$13,600

— 17th
$12,300

— 18th
$11,100

— 19th
$9,900

— 20th
$8,900

— 21st
$7,900

— 22nd
$6,900

— 23rd
$6,100

— 24th
$5,300

— 25th
$4,500

— 26th
$3,900

— 27th
$3,200

— 28th
$2,600

— 29th
$2,100

–30th
$1,500

–30th to 56th place

$1,049

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Iditarod 40: Mush! The Movie

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MUSH, a documentary written and directed by Alex Stein, is the first look behind the scenes at the “fine madness of the Iditarod.”

While nearly everything in the world seems to be getting smaller, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race remains larger than life.

And that’s probably why more people have summited Mt. Everest in the last two years than have ever finished Iditarod.

MUSH goes beyond coverage of the race as a sporting event and takes you behind the scenes of the “Last Great Race on Earth” — offering a rare glimpse at a uniquely Alaskan Phenomenon.  The movie examines the tremendous energy and effort (largely courtesy of thousands of volunteers from all over the world) it takes to make Iditarod possible and offers a lighthearted look at the memorable traditions and inspiring personalities who return year after year to Iditarod.

80 minutes
Starring a cast of thousands (of dogs, mushers, race officials, vets, volunteers, and others)
www.mushthemovie.com

(The movie is still on the film festival circuit, but will be available in several months.)

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Iditarod 40: Idita-Facts

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  • The Iditarod starts in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, on Saturday, March 3rd (10 am)
  • The Iditarod Re-starts in Willow Alaska, Sunday, March 4th (2 pm)
  • As of February 16, 2012 there are 66 mushers signed up for the 2012 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, including 52 veterans, 14 rookies and 16 women. To date eight mushers have withdrawn for various reasons. Entrants hail from 5 states – Colorado, Illinois, Idaho and Washington, as well as from Alaska and from 4 countries – United States, Canada, Norway and New Zealand. The record number of mushers starting the race was 96 in 2008.
  • This year’s race slogan is: 40th Race on 100 Year Old Trail – The 2012 Iditarod marks the 40th running of the dogsled race on the century old gold trail between Seward and Nome now known as the Iditarod. (See more information about this topic under 40th Race on 100 Year Old Trail in this guide on page 16.)
  • The team’s average 15 dogs, which means over 1,000 dogs will leave the starting line this year. Each musher can start with a maximum of 16 dogs down to a minimum of 12 dogs
  • Six Iditarod champions will be attempting to regain the title. Many of the past champions from other long distance races are also racing including Yukon Quest champions, Kusko 300 champions and Beargrease champions.
  • The race crosses two mountain ranges (including North America’s largest mountain range, Alaska Range)
  • The trails meets up with the Yukon River at Ruby and reaches frozen Norton Sound at Unalakleet.
  • The route alternates every year. This year’s route, the Northern Route, will run from Ophir through Cripple, Ruby, Galena, and Nulato before meeting up with the Southern Route trail in Kaltag.
  • There are twenty-four checkpoints (counting Anchorage & Nome), three of which are uninhabited during the rest of the year.
  • There are seven teams signed-up for the 2012 Iditarod that have also signed up for the 2012 Yukon Quest – Kristi Berington, Jake Berkowitz, Trent Herbst, Sonny Linder, Lance Mackey, Huff Neff, and Brent Sass.
  • The 2012 Idita-Riders represent 22 states and raised $155,000.
  • Volunteers are an integral part of the Iditarod. As of February 8th, 2012 there were 718 volunteers registered representing 46 states and America Samoa. This number does not include those who volunteer in communities along the trail or in Nome. The number of volunteers will continue to grow over the weeks to come and by the end of Iditarod 2012 there will be over 1,500 volunteers involved in some way or another. This number equates to over 35,000 volunteer hours.
  • In 2012 there are a total of 52 veterinarians – 3 for dropped dogs in Anchorage, 2 for dropped dogs in both McGrath and Unalakleet, 42 veterinarians dispersed along the trail and 3 consultants.
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Iditarod 40: The Trail. Nikolai to McGrath

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Iditarod 40: The Trail. Nikolai to McGrath     48 Miles

From Nikolai, the trail runs west to McGrath. The terrain is mostly flat. The trail passes through open swamps, small stands of spruce and alder and runs on the river itself. There are no grades to consider. This section is well traveled and should present no problems unless deep fresh snow is encountered, at which time the trail is very soft. McGrath is a major staging area and many trails run out of town. The Iditarod will be well marked to prevent confusion.

McGrath (muh-GRATH) — (McG) Lat 62.57 Long 155.36 — Population 341– Located near the confluence of the Kuskokwim and Takotna Rivers, this thriving community has two stores, a bar and a restaurant. It’s the last chance to buy aviation gas, except for Galena, until you reach the coast at Unalakleet. Lodging is also available with advance booking.

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I will be covering the Iditarod everyday on my website and on the radio. Please listen in. Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and check in with me on Foursquare.

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Iditarod 40: The infamous Happy River Steps

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The 2012 Iditarod is only about 18 hours old and some of the front runners, Hugh Neff, Lance Mackey, Paul Gebhardt, Aily Zirkle, and Ryan Redington are making very good time with most of them heading into Rainy Pass.

Right around this area is a part of the trail that is a much of legend as the race itself. It is the infamous Happy River Steps.

Just last month the Iditarod Trail Committee decided that they were going to take out this section of the trail in favor of using something a little “more safe”, shall we say. It had something to do with mining and maybe even politics but never-the-less, as the clock struck the proverbial midnight the steps are back.

The Steps have been known to make or break an Iditaroder’s dreams and chances on making it to Nome. Countless mushers have ended their race right  there, less than a day or two into the 1,049 mile race.

Here is the announcement from the Iditarod Trail Committee:

Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race will be utilizing the Happy River Steps in this year’s race because the reroute has been affected by weather.

The Iditarod Trail Committee (ITC) announced this afternoon it will route mushers down the Happy River steps in this year’s race. In early February, the ITC made the decision to use a winter trail established last year that circumvented the steps and added a little over a mile to the distance between Finger Lake and Rainy Pass.

“While teams were still leaving 4th Avenue today, we heard from our trailbreakers that the winter trail was no longer the better option based upon the amount of snow and wind in that particular section of trail over the last day,” said Mark Nordman, Race Director.

As trail conditions are constantly affected by changes in weather, ITC, as noted at its early February board meeting, will consistently evaluate available options with the goal of providing the best possible trail.

Who are you rooting for in the 2012 Iditarod?
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