Let the Training Begin…

There are now 91 mushers entered in the 2008 edition of the “Last Great Race on Earth”. Of those 91 mushers, 30 are rookies. For the rookies, their journey on The Iditarod Trail begins on December 1st, 2007. Each rookie is required to attend a two-day conference dedicated to indoctrinating them into just what it takes to finish the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The curriculum for the Rookie Meeting specifically addresses everything from food drop preparations to training plans to logistics strategies. But probably the largest block of time is focused on animal care. Part of the two-day conference will be held at “Happy Trails” Kennel, home of 4-time Iditarod Champion, Martin Buser.

2008 Drawing Banquet Tickets Are Going Fast!

If you don’t have your tickets to the Musher Drawing Banquet in Anchorage on February 28, now is a good time to order them. The banquet has been a sellout the last few years, and so far this year, ticket sales are already ahead of last year’s sales. Order your 2008 Musher Drawing Tickets today by contacting Lois Harter at 907-352-2201 or e-mailing her at lharter@iditarod.com. Remember: tickets go very fast… so if you don’t have yours, order them today!

Important Dates to Remember

• The Last date to enter the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is
  November 30th 2007 (by 5 pm Alaska Standard Time).
• The 2008 Iditarod trail Sled Dog Race Rookie Meeting Begins
  December 1st, 2008
• The 2008 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race IditaRider Auction closes on
  January 18th, 2008 (at 12 noon Alaska Standard Time)