Ride Along the Iditarod

On the first Sunday in March of each year, dog sled teams take off from Anchorage, Alaska on their quest to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. While over 90 mushers and 1,000 dogs will begin this trek to compete for $400,000 in total prize money, to date the most mushers to cross the finish line was 63 back in 1992. Along this 1,000 mile path, mushers and their dogs will stop at 27 checkpoints for rest, refueling and veterinary checkups. While many of the participants hail from Alaska and neighboring Canada, this, co-ed sport has attracted athletes from New York, Montana, Ohio, Alabama, Texas, California, Switzerland, Norway, Great Britain, New Zealand, Russia, Japan and Italy.

Adventure seekers wishing to hoop on board the longest sled dog race the world can bid for a chance to ride in the sled basket of a world-class Iditarod musher for the first 11 miles of the 2007 Iditarod Sled Dog Race. To place a bid to participate in this Idita-Ride, log on to http://www.iditarodauction.com, select a musher and then place a minimum bid of $500. Bids will be accepted online until January 19th when the auction begins closing at noon, Alaska Standard Time. More than 500 people have participated in this program since it first began in 1995. Past celebrity Idita-Riders include comedian Joan Rivers, actress Susan Lucci, former Miss America Mary Ann Mobley, and Gary Collins.

The Iditarod Trail Committee, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization. Winning bids may be used as a tax deduction with the exception of the value placed on the sled. A contribution report is sent with the credit card receipt once the auction has closed.