Note, this was originally posted yesterday morning (3/15/2025 and the 1st screen shot was real time - the only picture it would let me upload at the time. This morning, 3/16, I uploaded some pics that wouldn't upload yesterday and it changed the posting date to today. Weird, it has never done that before.
The 2025 Iditarod is nearing the end. The winner, and indeed, the top 5 finishers have reached the burled arches.
But there is still plenty of racing still in the works. Congrats to all teams that had the courage to even start the race.
This year's race had especially grueling conditions, and it was over 100 miles longer than usual. normally the race is just under 1,000 miles, and this year it is 1,128 miles. There are 2 "normal" routes; the southern route at 998 miles, and the northern route at 975 miles. This year, being an "odd" year, was supposed to be the southern route.
Because of poor conditions at some of the normal initial route, the route was reworked and actually doubles back on itself for a portion. The race usually starts at Willow, AK, but instead started 286 miles north, at Fairbanks. (race map shows all routes)
The race started with 33 teams, with 1/3 of those led by female mushers. The initial entries were for 40 teams (about the average) but 7 teams withdrew before the start of the race for various reasons.
A guy at my previous job ask me why women didn't compete well in the Iditarod - LOL. Of course, the connotation was that they weren't as "good" as men. Apparently he never heard of Libbey Riddle or Susan Butcher (who won 4 times). Nor had he heard of the women who have finished second Dee Dee Jonrowe (twice - plus raced after just completing chemo for cancer) and Ally Zirkle (multiple times - and was legally blind) to name a couple. Numerous women have finished in the top 5 and top 10. (link to a 2019 article on the women of Iditarod). It is not unusual for women to comprise 1/3 of the top 5 and/or top 10 finishers (my memory says more often than not that is the case, but I'm not going to do the research to prove it).
And of course, it isn't just about the mushers, but the canine athletes as well. Things happen upon the trail, such as moose attacks, spills that affect not just the athletes but also equipment, illness (human or canine), bad luck (one team beats a storm system while those just an hour or two behind encounter gale force winds or blizzards), trail conditions (which can get better or worse) etc.
This year, 2 women were in the top 5 finishers, so Chris, wherever you are, just letting you know that yes, women are still very competitive in this grueling race.
Interesting, I posted this yesterday but it would only let me upload 1 picture. I edited by uploading the pictures this morning and the post now shows today as the posting date - hmmm.
Anyway, I just saw where the first rookie to finish this year's race is female L)
Posted by: bogie | March 16, 2025 at 04:45 AM
TypePad is full of quirks and gotchas. When I uploaded the Daffodils this morning, I got whining notes that a socket would not open. I re-saved the photo with Paint. No go. Then I saved the draft and drank a witch's brew and held my grimace just right and the upload had no trouble opening a socket.
Interesting history and wow! what a route.
Posted by: Cop Car | March 16, 2025 at 08:01 AM