Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Trivia Quiz

Answer: 1973

The race grew out of the celebration of Alaska's centennial in 1967 (100 years after its purchase from Russia by the United States). While dogsled had historically been an important form of transportation in the state, that heritage had largely been lost by the 1960s with the advent of the airplane and snowmachine (as snowmobiles are referred to in Alaska). The 1967 centennial celebration included a couple of races along sections of the historic trail in the Matanuska-Susitna region. Dorothy Page and Joe Reddington Sr. proposed the initial running of the race, and are considered the mother and father of the Iditarod, respectively.

Contrary to popular belief, the Iditarod Trail did not originate with the 1925 serum run to Nome. The serum run was actually a sort of "last hurrah" for travel by dogsled in Alaska, as it took place just before aviation became the dominant means of transportation in the state. The trail likely originated as a series of migratory routes for the various Athabaskan and Aleut tribes that lived along its path. Around the turn of the century it became one of the primary means by which people participating in various gold rushes made their way from Seward and Anchorage into interior Alaska and Nome. The current race trail by no means includes the entire trail system - the entire section from Seward to Anchorage is not used, and there are many side tracks and alternate routes in the interior.

Answer: Dick Wilmarth

He won money for the inaugural win in a time of 20 days, 49 minutes, 41 seconds, and is incidentally recorded as the first Rookie of the Year for the race as well. He never ran the Iditarod again. Wilmarth was a miner hailing form Red Devil, Alaska.

It seems fitting that first winner of the race was a miner who spent his life living in the Bush. Joe Reddington is one of the most famous participants in the race having finished 15 times (and scratched four others), including four fifth place finishes. Norman Vaughn is also a historic participant.

He was a Colonel in the United States Army and a renowned explorer. Vaughn finished the race four times. Fred Machetanz never ran the race, but is easily Alaska's most famous painter, and his paintings of the race are woven tightly into its history and culture.

Answer: 4

As true an Alaskan as there ever was, Butcher was born into a wealthy Northeastern family, but came to Alaska early in her adult life. She made a home in the Wrangell-St. Elias mountains and began raising and keeping sled dogs there. Her last Iditarod was in 1993, after which she retired to raise a family with her husband Dave Monson, also an accomplished musher.
To the great sadness of the entire state, Susan Butcher died of leukemia on August 5, 2006, survived by her two daughters and a legacy that will be long felt in the state.

Answer: Doug Swingley

Swingley, who lived in Montana, did it in 1995. There was considerable grumbling in the state, but regardless of how anyone felt about an outsider winning, he cemented his position as one of the race's greats with wins in 1999, 2000, and 2001.
Swenson and Buser had both won, but are Alaskans. Johnrowe is also an Alaskan, but has never won, though she has come so close many times.

Answer: Rohn and Nikolai

The Farewell Burn is so called because it was the site of a huge forest fire and as a result is characterized by a lot of newer vegetation. This results in bumpy and treacherous conditions on the trail. Rohn and Nikolai are the sixth and seventh checkpoints on the trail, and the race usually begins to take shape at this point.

This stretch is encountered just after crossing Rainy Pass in the Alaska Range, the race's highest point, and shortly before hitting the flat and fast riverlands. Racers commonly push through to the Ophir checkpoint, about a hundred miles past Nikolai, where most take their 24 hour layover, then set out on the frozen Yukon.

Answer: Norton Sound

The trail reaches Norton Sound at the Unalakleet checkpoint and then follows its coast or crosses it all the way to Nome. This stretch of the trail is basically the "end game" for the race, with a well established pack of front-runners, and typically, it was much slower back when the race first started, taking about two days to get from Unalakleet to nome.
Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound are both in south central Alaska and do not really freeze over. Bristol Bay is south of Norton Sound, between the Alaska Peninsula and the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.

Answer: 24 hours, 8 hours, and 8 hours

The mandatory layovers exist solely in the interest of the dogs. The vast majority of participants in the race take terrific care of their dogs and would never intentionally run them to death in order to win, but in the heat of competition (and sleep deprivation) it is important to take no chances. The 24 hour layover can be taken anywhere on the trail, although it is almost always taken near the midpoint before reaching the Yukon River. One of the two 8 hour layovers must be taken at the White Mountain checkpoint. White Mountain is separated from Nome by only 77 miles of Norton Sound coastline and the checkpoint of safety, and this stretch is covered in a four to five hour sprint by the leading mushers.

The other 8 hour layover must be taken at any of the checkpoints on the Yukon River.

Answer: Rick Swenson

Storied names in the annals of the Iditarod include all them. However, Rick Swenson was the first to reach four wins. He was also the first to win five wins.
-Rick Swenson won in 1977, 1978, 1981, 1982, and 1991.
-Jeff King won in 1993, 1996, 1998, and 2005.
-Susan Butcher won in 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1990.
-Martin Buser won in 1992, 1994, 1997, and 2002. His 2002 win was the fastest time ever in the race, at 8 days, 22 hours, 46 minutes, and 3 seconds.

Answer: Mary Shields

Mary Shields did it in 1974, placing 23rd. Lolly Medley finished right after her in 24th place. Shields never ran the race again. A woman would not win until Libby Riddles in 1985.

Answer: Gold nuggets

This award is in recognition of the historic roots of the trail in gold prospecting. There are two different halfway points on the race because there are two different routes, the northern route is used in even years, the southern in odd years. Every race starts in Anchorage and proceeds through the Willow, Yentna, Skwentna, Finger Lake, Rainy Pass, Rohn, Nikolai, Takotna, and Ophir checkpoints. Where the two routes differ is between the Ophir and Kaltag checkpoints.

The northern route goes Ophir - Cripple - Ruby - Galena - Nulato - Kaltag.

The southern route goes Ophir - Iditarod - Shageluk - Anvik -Grayling - Eagle Island - Kaltag. From Kaltag, the race always goes through Unalakleet - Shaktoolik - Elim - Golovin - White Mountain - Safety - Nome.

There are two different routes because the historic trail had many different branches, and it would be impossible to include all of the historic locations on the trail with a single route. Racers can call home whenever they have access to a telephone, but it is safe to say that they spend most of their time at checkpoints tending their dogs and supplies, and snatching whatever bits of sleep they can.

A gourmet meal is given to the first racer to reach the checkpoint of Ophir every year.