Author: Mary H. Hood
An encyclopedic work that will be of value to those who have only a casual interest in the Iditarod sled dog race as a spectator right up to someone planning to compete, as well as every library or school library. Covers history, race preparations, the dogs, the mushers, the gear, trail map and conditions, the Iditarod committee, welfare of the animals, Iditarod statistics and more.
“A Fan’s Guide to the Iditarod . . . covers the whole
adventure, past to present, bringing you as close as
you can get without being on the runner tails yourself.”
(Jeff King, 1993, 1996, 1998, 2006 Iditarod champion)
The Iditarod is the premier sled-dog racing event in the world today, and arguably the toughest competition on earth. Traversing the rugged beauty of the Alaskan wilderness, the race covers 1,200 miles from Anchorage to Nome. Until now, fans have been frustrated by the lack of a comprehensive resource for the LAST GREAT RACE.
AUTHOR’S BIO
Mary Hood is an award winning writer who has studied and followed the race as a reporter and photographer.
REVIEWS
“This is truly an all-inclusive, encyclopedic work that will be of value for those with only a casual interest in the race right up to someone who plans to compete. I can even imagine a rookie lashing a copy to his or her sled!” (Sam Posey, ABC Wide World of Sports, 1990 Emmy Award Winner)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
“Iditarod Trail” Song
Foreword by Sam Posey
Introduction by Jeff King
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Chapter 1 Iditarod: What and Why
Chapter 2 A Brief History of Mushing
Chapter 3 The Founding Mother and Father
RACE PREPARATION
Chapter 4 A Typical Musher’s Racing Regime
Chapter 5 Prerace Details
Chapter 6 Volunteers and Staff
Chapter 7 Race Rules
IDITAROD DOGS
Chapter 8 Canine Competitors
Chapter 9 Welfare of the Animals
A MUSHER’S GEAR
Chapter 10 Harnesses, Lines, and Sleds
Chapter 11 Clothing
Chapter 12 Food
Chapter 13 Mandatory and Optional Equipment
TRACKING THE IDITAROD
Chapter 14 How to Follow the Race
Chapter 15 Trail Description
OUT ON THE TRAIL
Chapter 16 The Run/Rest Cycle
Chapter 17 The Weather
Chapter 18 Dangers of the Trail
Chapter 19 Strategies and Ploys
Chapter 20 Hallucinations
INSIDE INFORMATION
Chapter 21 Iditarod Traditions
Chapter 22 Trail Trivia
Chapter 23 Controversy
STANDINGS & STATISTICS
Chapter 24 Placement of All Starters, 1973 to 1996
Chapter 25 Iditarod Award Winners, 1973 to 1996
MORE MUSH
Chapter 26 The Iditarod Trail Committee
Hotlines and Catalog
Chapter 27 There’s More to Mushing
Selected Bibliography
Permissions Acknowledgments
Index
About the Author
