Learning about theLearning about the IditarodIditarod

An Interactive PresentationAn Interactive PresentationAdapted from Elizabeth StahleAdapted from Elizabeth Stahle

Main SlideMain Slide

► History ► About the Iditarod► Story of Balto► About Diphtheria► The Iditarod Trail► Dog Sled ► Mushers and Dogs► Special Awards► Resource SlideResource Slide► Further ReadingFurther Reading

How did the Iditarod How did the Iditarod start?start?

How did the Iditarod How did the Iditarod start?start?

Looking at History…Looking at History…► 1925 Nome Diphtheria Outbreak1925 Nome Diphtheria Outbreak► Serum was located in Anchorage (train relayed it Nenana)Serum was located in Anchorage (train relayed it Nenana)► 20 mushers teamed up cover 674 miles from Nenana to 20 mushers teamed up cover 674 miles from Nenana to

NomeNome► Wild Bill Shannon went with nine dogs on the 52-mile trip Wild Bill Shannon went with nine dogs on the 52-mile trip

where he would hand the serum to another musher. where he would hand the serum to another musher. ► The temperature was 35 degrees below zeroThe temperature was 35 degrees below zero► Shannon and 19 other mushers, including champion racer Shannon and 19 other mushers, including champion racer

Leonhard Seppala got the medicine to Nome.Leonhard Seppala got the medicine to Nome.

http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF15/1531.htmlhttp://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF15/1531.html

Looking at History…Looking at History…► 1925 Nome Diphtheria Outbreak1925 Nome Diphtheria Outbreak► Serum was located in Anchorage (train relayed it Nenana)Serum was located in Anchorage (train relayed it Nenana)► 20 mushers teamed up cover 674 miles from Nenana to 20 mushers teamed up cover 674 miles from Nenana to

NomeNome► Wild Bill Shannon went with nine dogs on the 52-mile trip Wild Bill Shannon went with nine dogs on the 52-mile trip

where he would hand the serum to another musher. where he would hand the serum to another musher. ► The temperature was 35 degrees below zeroThe temperature was 35 degrees below zero► Shannon and 19 other mushers, including champion racer Shannon and 19 other mushers, including champion racer

Leonhard Seppala got the medicine to Nome.Leonhard Seppala got the medicine to Nome.

http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF15/1531.htmlhttp://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF15/1531.html

Balto, a dog owned by Leonhard Seppala, Balto, a dog owned by Leonhard Seppala, replaced Togo and helped save the city of Nome replaced Togo and helped save the city of Nome from the fateful death of diphtheria by leading a from the fateful death of diphtheria by leading a sled team over the terrain of the Iditarod trail in sled team over the terrain of the Iditarod trail in 1925. He was not supposed to be the dog 1925. He was not supposed to be the dog responsible for getting the medicine to help the responsible for getting the medicine to help the sick. However, in the end he was the one who sick. However, in the end he was the one who completed the task and become a legend (though completed the task and become a legend (though Togo probably should have received more credit). Togo probably should have received more credit). Today there is a statue of Balto located in NYC Today there is a statue of Balto located in NYC Central Park.Central Park.

BaltoBalto

( ( Inupiaq: Inupiaq: SitnasuaqSitnasuaq ), ), Population 4,500Population 4,500Founded in 1901Founded in 1901. .

► Native Alaskans Native Alaskans InupiaqInupiaq EskimosEskimos are about 60%, are about 60%, whites 40% of population.whites 40% of population.

► No road connections - you No road connections - you

must fly to access Nome must fly to access Nome (jet service daily from (jet service daily from Anchorage or Fairbanks), Anchorage or Fairbanks),

► The climate in Nome is The climate in Nome is arctic with very cold arctic with very cold winters featured by an winters featured by an average temperature of -average temperature of -15º.15º.

Nome is located on the southern shore of the Seward Peninsula, on Norton Sound.

NomeNome

InupiaqInupiaq eskimo eskimo iglooigloo

InupiaqInupiaq eskimo eskimo iglooigloo

How far from Denver?How far from Denver?

DiphtheriaDiphtheria

Diphtheria is a disease Diphtheria is a disease that affects children’s that affects children’s nose and throats. The nose and throats. The bacteria grows inside bacteria grows inside the throat and blocks the throat and blocks the airways. Its very the airways. Its very contagious but now contagious but now there are immunizations there are immunizations to prevent it and cure it.to prevent it and cure it.

Diphtheria is a disease Diphtheria is a disease that affects children’s that affects children’s nose and throats. The nose and throats. The bacteria grows inside bacteria grows inside the throat and blocks the throat and blocks the airways. Its very the airways. Its very contagious but now contagious but now there are immunizations there are immunizations to prevent it and cure it.to prevent it and cure it.

About the IditarodAbout the Iditarod

In 1967, Joe Redington, Sr. In 1967, Joe Redington, Sr. joined with Dorothy Page, an joined with Dorothy Page, an Alaskan interested in history, Alaskan interested in history, to celebrate dog sleds. A sled to celebrate dog sleds. A sled dog race was held, and it was dog race was held, and it was extended to Nome in 1973, extended to Nome in 1973, with part of it following the old with part of it following the old Iditarod Trail. The race Iditarod Trail. The race became known as the "The became known as the "The Last Great Race on Earth,” Last Great Race on Earth,” and Joe Redington and and Joe Redington and Dorothy Page were known as Dorothy Page were known as the 'father and mother of the the 'father and mother of the Iditarod".Iditarod".

In 1967, Joe Redington, Sr. In 1967, Joe Redington, Sr. joined with Dorothy Page, an joined with Dorothy Page, an Alaskan interested in history, Alaskan interested in history, to celebrate dog sleds. A sled to celebrate dog sleds. A sled dog race was held, and it was dog race was held, and it was extended to Nome in 1973, extended to Nome in 1973, with part of it following the old with part of it following the old Iditarod Trail. The race Iditarod Trail. The race became known as the "The became known as the "The Last Great Race on Earth,” Last Great Race on Earth,” and Joe Redington and and Joe Redington and Dorothy Page were known as Dorothy Page were known as the 'father and mother of the the 'father and mother of the Iditarod".Iditarod".

This picture is of the first official race.

Iditarod TrailIditarod TrailThe trail is made up of The trail is made up of 25 different 25 different checkpoints along the checkpoints along the way from Anchorage to way from Anchorage to Nome. Each checkpoint Nome. Each checkpoint is an average distance is an average distance of about 55 miles of about 55 miles apart. apart.

The trail is made up of The trail is made up of 25 different 25 different checkpoints along the checkpoints along the way from Anchorage to way from Anchorage to Nome. Each checkpoint Nome. Each checkpoint is an average distance is an average distance of about 55 miles of about 55 miles apart. apart.

NomeNome is the finish line for the annual Iditarod Race. is the finish line for the annual Iditarod Race.Known as "The Last Great Race on Earth", mushers and dogs travel 1,049 Known as "The Last Great Race on Earth", mushers and dogs travel 1,049

miles from Anchorage to Nome each March.miles from Anchorage to Nome each March.

Iditarod Official WebsiteIditarod Official Website

Please take some time Please take some time to look at this website to look at this website and see all the and see all the different things it has different things it has to offer.to offer.

http://iditarod.com

LogosLogos► Original design by Alaskan Artist Bil DeVineOriginal design by Alaskan Artist Bil DeVine

The Dog (Sled)The Dog (Sled)

Quit

Musher’s and Musher’s and DogsDogs

Each team is made up of one musher and 12-Each team is made up of one musher and 12-16 dogs. Most dogs that entire the race are 16 dogs. Most dogs that entire the race are huskies, which are part wolf. The mushers and huskies, which are part wolf. The mushers and dogs need to work together in order for them dogs need to work together in order for them to finish the race successfully. It is one of the to finish the race successfully. It is one of the few ultimate tests of teamwork. few ultimate tests of teamwork.

Each team is made up of one musher and 12-Each team is made up of one musher and 12-16 dogs. Most dogs that entire the race are 16 dogs. Most dogs that entire the race are huskies, which are part wolf. The mushers and huskies, which are part wolf. The mushers and dogs need to work together in order for them dogs need to work together in order for them to finish the race successfully. It is one of the to finish the race successfully. It is one of the few ultimate tests of teamwork. few ultimate tests of teamwork.

Musher Musher ProfilesProfiles

Special AwardsSpecial Awards►Golden Harness Award- Golden Harness Award-

awarded to the best lead dog as voted on by the mushersawarded to the best lead dog as voted on by the mushers

►Sportsmanship AwardSportsmanship Award►Most Inspirational MusherMost Inspirational Musher►Leonhard Seppala Award- Leonhard Seppala Award-

given to the musher who takes the best care of his given to the musher who takes the best care of his team (voted on by the veterinarians)team (voted on by the veterinarians)

►Red Lantern Award- Red Lantern Award- Last place (must remain competitive, the Widow’s Last place (must remain competitive, the Widow’s

Lamp)Lamp)

Further ReadingFurther Reading