The Iditarod Trail Invitational Begins Saturday!
February 21, 2008
For all of you hardcore outdoor athletes (alot more hardcore than I) perhaps you will take an interest in this next item. The great BikingBis Blog has reminded us that the Iditarod Trail Invitational Begins Sunday.
This event is billed as “The World’s Longest Human Powered Winter Race,” and covers an area of over 1,100 miles in length. There will actually be two seperate races taking place at the same time. The short route–which covers the 350 mile length of the course..then the ultra-long 1,100 mile route, both following the famed Iditarod Dog-Sled route. The race begins in Knik, Alaska then makes it’s way to Nome, Alaska with the first race stopping in McGrath.
There is a limit of only 50 participants in this season’s race–with 49 of those spots already being filled.
From BikingBis:
Of the 46 entrants, 12 are going by bicycle to McGrath and 10 are riding their bikes to Nome. The rest are hiking or skiing.
As you can see, you have a choice of what and how you will be participating.
This a bike from one of the participants taking part in this snow marathon. The bike belongs to Bill Merchant, who will be trying to make his way to Nome, Alaska.
Here is his latest report from his blog found HERE:
After having all the race business taken care of, we are ready to get to the starting line. The drops and supplies are in place. We are able to do our last minute details for our race to Nome.
Our bikes are packed and ready.
We will be in Anchorage tomorrow at the Speedway party and have a Pre race meeting at the Loussac library Saturday before the Start Sunday Feb. 24th, 2:00PM at Knik Lake.
Sounds like it is going to be a rough and rugged race for all involved. The snows in Alaska can be treacherous this time of year with knee-deep snow over most of the course..and much more in certain places. Plus, you have the rugged hills and mountains and very little support for the trip if something would go wrong.
Over on YouTube, they have a series of videos posted covering a Discovery Channel documentary put up a few years back concerning this race–actually the race being discussed takes place clear back in 1988. Not much has changed at all though since then. I do recommend you stopping over and checking out the documentary as it is put together very well. I will also try to add a button to the site that you can click to follow along with the race as it happens, beginning Saturday–and will offer up some insite and coverage as well as these teams set off on their treacherous journey. Let’s wish them all well and a safe race.
If you would like to learn more, be sure to check out the links provided in this article. Or click the small banner that will be found in the upper Left Corner of this site shortly.
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From The Adventurist Vault:
Written by Jason A. Hendricks · Filed Under Alaska, Iditarod, Iditarod Trail Invitational 2008 |
