From Chicago to Anchorage: Iditarod Conference by Jackie Denton

Friday, February 28, 2025

Today was the last day of the Educator’s conference. We got to speak with Rob Urbach, the CEO of the Iditarod. Many of the teachers shared different lessons that they do with their classes and all of the different Iditarod programs in the Education department were explained to those in attendance. Once the conference ended, I had dog handler training. I dog handler is someone who helps the mushers and their teams in getting to the starting chute at the Ceremonial Start and the Restart. I am volunteering as a trail guard like I usually do, however, since the Ceremonial Start has been shortened this year from 11 miles to 1.3 miles, there is going to be a very unusual problem. The dog trucks that normally meet the mushers at the end of the Ceremonial Start are not going to arrive at the finish before the dog teams. So, as a dog handler this year, I will be helping to take care of the dogs until the musher’s dog truck and personal handlers arrive. Pictures of the Ceremonial Start to come tomorrow!