By Yereth Ros

ANCHORAGE (Reuters) – Since 1973 Alaska has hosted the Iditarod. This 1,000-mile (1610 km) race of dog sled dogs across Alaska’s frozen wilderness challenges its competitors to their limits.

Alaska, however is significantly less frozen today than Alaska was fifty years ago. Alaska has warmed twice as fast worldwide, altering both the Anchorage to-Nome race and almost every other aspect of northern life.

Rob Urbach (chief executive, Iditarod) said that Alaska is “a little bit of a picture child for global warming.” He also spoke out about the Iditarod’s traditional ceremonial beginning in Alaska’s biggest city, on Saturday.

A total of 50 mushing dogs and mushers have signed up to race.

Over its history, the Iditarod faced many challenges. Animal-rights activists have criticized the Iditarod and forced corporate sponsors to stop supporting it. They claim that the Iditarod is cruel to dogs.

Anchorage is experiencing near-record temperatures in late winter, which will bring back memories of our changing climate. In recent days instead of fluffy snow, the rains have drenched the region, leaving behind a layer of ice on roads and trails.

According to the National Weather Service, Friday will see more rain and temperatures reaching around 7 Celsius (mid-40s Fahrenheit). Expect more rain and temperatures to remain above freezing Saturday.

Luckily for the mushers and their dogs – who prefer to run in crisp, cold weather – the 11-mile (17.7-km) Anchorage portion of the race is merely ceremonial. The timed competition starts Sunday when the teams will depart Willow Lake (about a 75-mile drive, 120-km north of city).

Mark Nordman, Iditarod’s race director, and marshal, stated that this will give dogs and muzzlers the opportunity to adjust to Saturday’s conditions and not lose time.

Nordman told a press conference on Wednesday that all mushers have the option to stop for a break and take a lunch break. If it is too warm they will take a break. They have to travel a lot of distance before they reach Nome.

CHALLENGES AND CHANGES

The changing climate has required major changes over time. In 2017, the third time, unseasonably warm weather forced Iditarod to shift its restart to Fairbanks.

Flooding flooded the Bering Sea Ice, which teams were forced to navigate around near the finish line in 2020. The Nome finish line was 25 miles away from three racers with their dogs. To avoid standing water, contestants had to be diverted further inland.

Since 1973, when Joe Redington Sr. bought his home to finance the race’s first edition, Iditarod has seen many other changes. In 1973, Nome was reached by the winner in just 20 days. The budget was very tight and the competition so simple that it was sometimes compared with a 1,000-mile camping trip.

Dan Seavey from Seward in Alaska was one of the first mushers.

Professionals are now common among Iditarod runners, such as Dallas Seavey who is the current champion and Dan Seavey’s grandson. High-tech equipment is used, the racers can be tracked via GPS and fans all over the globe watch the live streaming of the races. Winners reach Nome in nine days.

The race was also modified to accommodate the COVID-19 pandemic. The race of last year was changed to an out and back route covering approximately 860 miles (1.384 km). It started near Willow Lake and ended at Willow Lake.

Although the Iditarod will return to Nome on its traditional route, some COVID-19 safety protocol such as testing, mandatory vaccinations and social ditancing remain. Urbach explained that these precautions are necessary to ensure the safety of villages in need of medical assistance.

He said that “We are still channeling 1925. The Serum Run To Nome” was referring to the famous relay of sled dogs carrying diphtheria medication to the Bering Sea town.