IDITAROD HISTORY – GENERAL INFO 2012 RACE INFORMATION 40th Race on 100 Year Old Trail TABLE OF CONTENTS Iditarod Trail Committee Board of Directors and Staff………………………………………………… 3 Introduction…………………..……………………………………………………………………………………... 4 Famous Names………………………………..……………………………………………………………….….. 7 1925 Serum Run To Nome…………………………………………………………………………….………. 8 History of the “Widows Lamp”……………………………………………………………………………….. 9 History of the Red Lantern……..…………………………………………………….…………….………… 9 What Does the Word “Iditarod” Mean?………………………………………………………….………… 9 Animal Welfare……………………………………………………………………………………………….……. 10 Dictionary of Mushing Terms………………………………………………….……………………….…….. 11 Iditarod Insider – GPS Tracking Program.………………………….…………………………….……… 12 Idita-Rider Musher Auction……………………………………..…………………………………….……….. 12 2012 Musher Bib Auction…….………………………………………………………………………….……… 12 Jr. Iditarod…………………....…………………………………………………………………………………….. 13 1978-2011 Jr. Iditarod Winners………………………………………………………………………………. 13 1973-2011 Race Champions & Red Lantern Winners………….…………………………………….. 14 2012 Idita-Facts…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 15 40th Race on 100 Year Old Trail……………………………….……………………………………………. 16 2012 Official Map of the Iditarod Trail…………………………………………………………………… 17 Directions from Downtown Anchorage to Campbell Airstrip/BLM ………….………….……… 18 Official Checkpoint Mileages…………………..…………………………………………………….……... 19 2012 Checkpoint Descriptions……………………………….………………………………………….….. 20 Description of the Iditarod Trail……………………………………………………………….….………. 23 2012 Official Race Rules…….……………………………………………………………………………….. 27 2012 Honorary Musher – Dave Olson……..………………………………………………….………… 42 2012 Musher Biographical Information……………………………………………………….….……… 44 2012 Target® Teacher on the Trail………………………………………….…………………….……. 82 2012 Iditarod Partners…………..…………………………………………….……………………….…….. 83 2012 Special Awards………………………….………………………….…………………………….……… 84 2012 Iditarod Business Members……………………………………..………………………….……….. 86 Page 2 of 86 IDITAROD TRAIL COMMITTEE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF BOARD OF DIRECTORS President ..................................................................................................................................................... Andy Baker Vice-President ......................................................................................................................................... Danny Seybert Secretary ................................................................................................................................................. Mike Jonrowe Treasurer ........................................................................................................................................... Aaron Burmeister Director ................................................................................................................................................ John Handeland Director .................................................................................................................................................. Mark Moderow Director ...................................................................................................................................................... Mike Owens Director ................................................................................................................................................... Rick Swenson Director ......................................................................................................................................................... Aliy Zirkle Director Emeritus ............................................................................................................................. .Joe Redington, Sr. STAFF & VOLUNTEER RACE COORDINATORS Executive Director ................................................................................................................................... Stan Hooley Assistant to Executive Director / Merchandizing Manager ................................................................... Starre Szelag Development Director .................................................................................................................................. Greg Bill Communications Director .................................................................................................................... Erin McLarnon Education Director ........................................................................................................................ Diane Johnson Iditarod Insider Crew ....................................................................................................................... Greg Heister Iditarod Website ................................................................................................................................. Art Aldrich Media Coordinator ............................................................................................................................... Julie Busch Finance Director ................................................................................................................................... Don Patterson Membership / Idita-Rider Musher Auction / Volunteer Coordinator ..................................................... Deby Trosper Race Director / Race Marshal............................................................................................................. Mark Nordman Assistant to the Race Director ............................................................................................................ Joanne Potts Chief Veterinarian ............................................................................................................ Stuart Nelson, Jr., DVM Race Coordinator ................................................................................................................................. Andy Willis Trail Communications Coordinator ....................................................................................................... Andi Malard Chief Pilot ......................................................................................................................................... Bert Hanson Start Coordinator .......................................................................................................................... Karl Heidelbach Re-Start Coordinator ......................................................................................................................... Darrell Davis Millennium Headquarters Coordinator .............................................................................................. Cheryl Zachary Nome Coordinator .............................................................................................................................. Mike Owens RACE OFFICIALS Race Marshal .......................................................................................................................................... Mark Nordman Race Judges ................................................................................................................................ John “Andy” Anderson ................................................................................................................................................................... Rich Bosela .................................................................................................................................................. Rhodi Karella Davidson .....................................................................................................................................................................Jim Gallea ............................................................................................................................................................. Mark Lindstrom ...................................................................................................................................................................... Al Marple .................................................................................................................................................................. Greg Parvin .................................................................................................................................................................... Kevin Saiki ............................................................................................................................................................ Donald Towarak .............................................................................................................................................................. Larry Westlake Page 3 of 86 INTRODUCTION THE IDITAROD You can’t compare it to any other competitive event in the world! A Race of approximately 975 miles of the roughest, most beautiful terrain Mother Nature has to offer. She throws jagged mountain ranges, frozen rivers, dense forests, desolate tundra and miles of windswept coast at the mushers and their dog teams. (Note: As of 2012 the Northern Route distance is approximately 975 miles. In prior years the distance was always over 1,000 miles. Three things factor into this adjustment: 1) The change in the Ceremonial Start (running from downtown Anchorage to Campbell Airstrip instead of Eagle River); 2) The change of the Restart location from Wasilla to Willow (loss of the Wasilla-Knik-Susitna River and some Yentna River mileage), and; 3) The actual year to year trail