There is, quite possibly, no sound in the world like the yip and yowl of a sled dog hoping to be picked for the chance to streak along a snowy Alaska trail. One howl of excitement leads to another, and another, until the entire team reaches a crescendo of joy. If you’re lucky enough to be at the historic start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, that cacophony is exponentially magnified and celebrated. For the thousands of humans packing city streets and forest trails to watch the controlled chaos of an Iditarod launch day, it’s guaranteed to be unlike any other sporting competition. And with mushing being the official Alaska state sport, it’s a safe bet that residents and visitors alike go all in.
Since 1973 when the inaugural race headed to Nome, the first weekend of March has been dedicated to all things Iditarod. Saturday marks the Ceremonial Start through Anchorage city streets and trails, with a jubilant vibe of dogs, mushers and community. Sunday brings the “Official Restart” 70 miles north of Anchorage, where timing begins and teams put on their game faces to see who, and when, the first will arrive under Nome’s burled arch finish line. In between, there are almost a thousand miles of rugged Alaska wilderness that test the relationship between a musher and his or her dogs.
2026 marks the 54th year of the Iditarod, and while the past few winters have produced lower levels of annual snowfall for these racing teams, the show, as the adage says, must go on. Shannon Noonan, marketing and communications director for the Iditarod, says it’s far more than the sleds, dogs and snow.
“It’s an incredible special Alaska tradition, a celebration of community and pride, and a nod to the history, culture and importance of dog mushing to the state,” she said. “People come from around the world to experience this one-of-a-kind sendoff.”…