The Jr. Iditarod began as a dream fifty years ago. Young mushers in the Knik area were camped on Nine-Mile Hill and started talking about a race for their age group that would help prepare them for the Iditarod. One thing led to another and now the Jr. Iditarod is the race kids beg their parents to participate in.
It’s likely the four 2026 rookies have been focusing on doing the Jr. Iditarod for quite some time. They’ve invested an incredible amount of time into building their skills and training their dogs. Family support is integral in getting these young mushers to the trail, something each of these rookies will attest to. Along with family they are also mentored by established mushers, mushers who are giving back to the sport.
Let’s meet the rookie class of 2026…