The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is an annual long-distance sled dog race held in Alaska, typically in early March. The race covers approximately 1,000 miles, traversing rugged terrain from Anchorage to Nome. Mushers (drivers of the sleds) and their teams of 12 to 16 dogs endure challenging conditions, including blizzards, sub-zero temperatures, and gale-force winds.
In 2025, the race faced unprecedented challenges due to a significant lack of snow. This shortage led organizers to reroute the course further north, resulting in a record distance of 1,128 miles from Fairbanks to Nome. Only 33 mushers participated, the fewest in the race’s history.
The 2025 race commenced on March 3, with mushers starting from Fairbanks instead of the traditional starting point near Anchorage. This change was made due to insufficient snowpack along the original trail. The official restart took place a day later, on March 4.
The Iditarod holds significant cultural importance in Alaska, celebrating the history and tradition of dog mushing. However, it has also faced criticism from animal rights organizations concerned about the welfare of the dogs, citing issues such as the high physical demands placed on the animals and instances of dog fatalities during the race.