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The Greatest Race on Earth<\/h1>\n
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By Charlotte McGlone<\/p>\n
Chapel Hill, NC, United States<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
An epic race spanning more than 1,000 miles of the world\u2019s toughest terrain. Just you and your dogs crossing rugged mountains, isolated prairies, frozen rivers, and dense forests.<\/p>\n
The Iditarod<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Every year 62 teams, on average, compete in the journey from Fairbanks to Nome, Alaska.<\/strong> The rules state that each team must start with a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 16 dogs, plus a musher<\/em> (the human in charge). It takes about 10 days to finish.<\/p>\n The fastest time was recorded in 2021, when Dallas Seavey crossed the finish line in 7 days, 14 hours, 8 minutes, and 57 seconds. However, the race was 140 miles shorter that year to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.<\/p>\n The Iditarod is unlike many other races because it gives a special prize to the last team to finish. The Red Lantern Award honors persistence and dedication. The record for the slowest time ever is 32 days, 15 hours, and 9 minutes. Can you imagine taking over a month to cross a finish line?<\/p>\n Origins<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The Iditarod has a history that is essential to the culture of the northernmost state in the US. In the early 1900s, when thousands rushed to Alaska in search of gold, they traveled and received supplies along the Iditarod Trail, which was only accessible by dog sled given its freezing and snowy conditions. Even before the gold rush, mushing was a central part of life in the North. Still today, as modern transportation becomes more common, it remains the fallback.<\/p>\n One Heroic Dog<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The most famous story of dog sled heroism illustrates its importance. Immortalized by the movie Balto<\/em>, mushers and their dogs rescued the town of Nome in 1925 when it was threatened by an outbreak of disease. The crucial medicine was delivered only because of the mushers\u2019 determination and their dogs\u2019 faithful service.<\/p>\n Recognizing this heroic feat, Wasilla resident Dorothy G. Page wanted to find a way to preserve mushing\u2019s place in history. She was the driving force behind the modern Iditarod race, named after the famous trail, which was first run in its entirety in 1973.<\/p>\n Canine Athletes<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Of course, the essential part of the race is the dogs. Working in tandem with each other and their human captain, these animals can achieve incredible feats. They can run for hours at speeds of 20 miles per hour and are incredibly strong. To give you an example of their power, one dog dragged over half a ton in the canine version of a tractor pull.<\/p>\n The setup of the team is very important. Mushers carefully select dogs for the following roles:<\/p>\n Mushers also consider racing breeds such as:<\/p>\n Pit Stops<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The mushers pay special attention to the needs of their dogs, and at the 27 checkpoints located along the trail, they are given the opportunity to rest their dogs or get veterinary attention. The teams that race in the Iditarod are great examples of humans and animals working together to achieve amazing things.<\/p>\n Have a suggestion for this story? We\u2019d love for you to\u00a0submit it<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Alaska-GMS-Iditarod-dogs-600-x-400.png” alt=”Team of Siberian husky sled dogs running through snow with blue harnesses during a winter dog sledding race” title_text=”Alaska GMS Iditarod dogs (600 x 400)” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Alaska-GMS-Iditarod-sled-600-x-400.png” alt=”Musher guiding a husky dog sled team along a snowy forest trail during a competitive winter mushing event” title_text=”Alaska GMS Iditarod sled (600 x 400)” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Blank” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_css_main_element=”display: none; ” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Blank<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Math Resources” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Learning Activities:<\/p>\n Sample Problems:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Extension Question” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Animal rights groups have criticized the Iditarod for pushing dogs too hard under harsh conditions.\u00a0What do you think about dogs being used in this grueling race? Does it seem unfair to treat them this way? Why?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Explore Further” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Share Your Story” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/GMS-Alaska-sled-dog_600-\u00d7-900-px.jpeg\")
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