The Iron Dog 2013!

Iron Dog 2013 Website ^ | February 17th, 2013 | Iron Dog 2013

[KC_Lion]

FReepers!

The Iron Dog 2013 Race is on.

The first Iron Dog event started in 1984, in Big Lake following the Northern Route of the Historic Iditarod Trail to Nome. The event began as the “Iron Dog Iditarod”, but the name was quickly changed the next year to the “Gold Rush Classic”, in 1990 the race was recognized as the “Iron Dog Gold Rush Classic” for a decade until Tesoro Corporation became a title sponsor, thus recognizing the event as the “Tesoro Iron Dog”. Today, we simply refer to the race and ourselves as The Iron Dog. The event is sponsored by the Alaska National Guard which has allowed the Iron Dog to grow significantly since 2009.

Today’s Iron Dog course distance is over 2,000 miles, starting in Big Lake with a halfway stop in Nome and finishing in Fairbanks, making it the World’s longest snowmobile race. Participants cover some of Alaska’s the most remote and rugged terrain while confronting some the harshest winter conditions. Survival skills are essential, making it the World’s toughest snowmobile race. All teams in race classes are a team of two persons and two snowmobiles for safety.

The Iron Dog offers a non-competitive recreational class giving adventure seekers an opportunity to travel 1100 miles on the Northern Route of Historic Iditarod Trail to Nome. These teams of two or more travel the same race trail as the Pro Class Teams.

Iron Dog, Inc. brings a World Class Event across the State of Alaska each February impacting over twenty five Alaskan communities beginning with the “Iron Dog Safety EXPO” in Wasilla, AK. This EXPO provides a unique winter recreational trade show that brings in industry vendors, promotes snowmobile safety and education through seminars, and a face to face opportunity for the fans and media to meet with notable Iron Dog athletes.

Race Event Start includes fundraising activities, vendor booths and a patriotic celebration start. Nome marks the half way point for the racers and a finish for the trail class. The Nome Halfway Banquet brings the race participants and fans together with celebration awards, tales from the trail, slide show presentations, and prizes. Pro Class participant’s race into Fairbanks chasing one of the many contingency awards based on the fastest team between two check points crossing the finish line. Teams are held in the City of Tanana before Fairbanks in order to have the teams cross the Finish line in a two hour window for spectator viewing. A finishing reception celebration is held the evening of the Finish. The Awards presentation is held at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge in Fairbanks.

Race participation typically averages (30) thirty Pro Class teams with an average of (20) twenty or more Trail Class riders for a total number of about 80-90 riders on the trail each year.

Iron Dog is a proud leader in the snowmobile sports community promoting snowmobile safety and outdoor education through trade shows, seminars and community events.

[KC_Lion]

Here is a Picutre Sarah just posted on Facebook regarding Team 11.

Just snapped this pic of happy, healthy, adrenaline-pumped race team #11 (Scott & Todd) in my living room - one final bit of warmth before these former champs hit the trail in the world's longest snowmachine race: 2000 miles across Alaska's unique terrain and amazingly challenging conditions. It's competition at its finest!

[Eye of Unk]

My front yard last year in the summer.

[Eye of Unk]

Correction, two years ago, because this is a grab from Google streeview and the trailer has been moved as is the old dually.

The shed under the blue tarp is my motorcycle shed. House is much bigger on the right and out back, its on 8 acres.

[TheOldLady]

They look great! Let’s all pray really hard for no broken arms, dogs, sleds, or anything else. Also for a nice win for Team 11.

[Sarah Barracuda]

GO TEAM TODD!!! Rooting for Todd to win the Iron Dog..thank you for the beautiful photos!

[hattend]

We are flying into Anchorage on the 28th (wife from Sacramento, CA, me from King Salmon, AK) and staying at the Millenium Hotel, official Iditarod Race HQ. I have never stayed there, hope it’s nice. The lobby is AWESOME! It’s an older hotel and I’ve heard good and not so good.

Saturday the 2nd is the race start in downtown Anchorage. It was our first time last year and it was a hoot! The running of the reindeer (like running with the bulls only Alaska style) is pretty funny!

Sunday, out to Willow Lake for the re-start. We had some pretty good pictures last year. Hope to add to them this year. It would make my year if Sarah and Todd Palin were there and I got a picture taken with them. Not sure if she goes to Iditarod though. I’m sure she was probably there as governor but as private citizen, not sure.

Then fly back to King Salmon on Monday, wife stays through St. Patty’s Day and then flies home.

[KC_Lion]

Well, they are getting ready to start, for some reason. KTUU on my stream is showing me Hockey.

Hopefully the rest of you have better luck.

Either way, Iron Dog 2013 is underway!

LETS GO TEAM 11!!!!

[Jemian]

Ping to the Todd list!

I wish he was living in the White House. What a difference that would be.

[KC_Lion]

We had some pretty good pictures last year. Hope to add to them this year. It would make my year if Sarah and Todd Palin were there and I got a picture taken with them. Not sure if she goes to Iditarod though. I’m sure she was probably there as governor but as private citizen, not sure.

Have you ever gotten to meet Sarah hattend?

I know it sounds like you haven't but you never know.

The Closest I have gotten to meet Sarah was when my Great Uncle came to Town and we visited the Liberty Memorial (the National World War 1 Museum) and then Sarah comes and visits like 2 days later.

I was crestfallen to say the least.

[hattend]

From last year's Iditarod start at Willow Lake. (Praying for similar weather...it was beautiful!)

[KC_Lion]

[hattend]

Mmmm...wish I could get me some Chik-fil-A

[KC_Lion]

Awesome Hattend!

I take it that is your lovely wife?

[Jemian]

It is Monday morning here. You sure know how to get my work-week off to a good start. Thanks!

[hattend]

The closest I have ever been to Sarah Palin is she flew out to Dillingham where Todd and Track fish.

I’m in King Salmon, about 20 minutes south of there.

I did write her a letter requesting an autographed picture for my wife...Chuck Heath sent her one.

Those are my closest brushes with the Palin family.

[hattend]

I take it that is your lovely wife?

Yep! :-)

[freekitty]

Yum Yum

[onyx]

Beautiful job, KC!!!
Thank you so much!!!

[Marathoner]

Ping to the Todd list! I wish he was living in the White House. What a difference that would be.

Ain't that the truth! Lord willing, that will be reality in 2017 (if we make it that far).

[CatherineofAragon]

LOL, so cute