Eagle River musher is carrying hope in a box on the Iditarod Trail Published March 8
Larry Daugherty, a musher from Eagle River, will carry empty packages of COVID-19 vaccine with him on the trail this year. Forty-six mushers began the 2021 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog race from Deshka Landing in Willow on March 7, 2021. (Marc Lester / ADN)
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Print article Larry Daugherty of Eagle River is carrying hope on the Iditarod Trail. It comes in a box. Daugherty, a radiation oncologist, is carrying empty packages of the COVID-19 vaccine as a symbol of the hope he sees a year into a global pandemic that gained full force during last year’s Iditarod.
Revamped Iditarod brings equipment adaptations and a fast pace as mushers cross the Alaska Range
Wait 1 second to continue. ROHN A day into the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, a fast trail and shortened route are making for a quicker race than normal. Mushers are adapting to this year’s pandemic-adjusted trail in a number of ways, as evidenced by their equipment. Recent rule changes and the absence of shelter options in checkpoints mean competitors are using larger sleds and hauling “tail-dragger” trailers for hauling supplies, sleeping options and dogs. “We got this fun new tent, it looks like a play kennel,” said Bethel musher Victoria Hardwick during a break Monday at Finger Lake. “You don’t have to use your fingers or anything.”
(CNN) Â The Iditarod, Alaska s legendary long-distance sled dog race, is set to begin Sunday despite the threat of coronavirus.
The route, usually almost 1,000 miles, has been modified to avoid most communities and will be roughly 100 miles shorter than usual.
A reduced number of 47 mushers include 13 women and 12 rookies. They will line up in Willow, about 75 miles outside of Anchorage, before hitting a new out-and-back trail. The race usually ends in Nome.
Joar Leifseth Ulsom, the 2018 champion, says pandemic protocols won t make much difference once the race begins. It s not like we are very social people, Ulsom, one of this year s favorites, told Reuters. We spend most of our time out with the dogs.