The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is an annual dogsled race that occurs in March between Anchorage and Nome, Alaska. The race distance is approximately 1,100 miles (1,770 km) and partially follows the old Iditarod Trail dogsled mail route. It attracts both male and female participants, called mushers, who compete with their dog teams.
The Iditarod commemorates the 1925 “Great Race of Mercy,” where mushers rushed serum to icebound Nome during a diphtheria epidemic. The race also celebrates Alaska’s frontier past. Though the Iditarod has faced criticism from animal rights activists, organizers have increased protections for the dogs, including mandatory rest stops and veterinary checkups.