Sled Dog Racing

The Origin of the Iditarod Race

Before sled dog racing became a formal sport, sled dogs were bred and used by native people of the polar regions for transportation and work.

In the 1920's, airplanes began to replace sled dog teams for transportation, freight hauling, and mail delivery.

In 1925 Alaska experienced an outbreak of diphtheria. The antidote needed to be relayed from Nenana to Nome, Alaska.

20 drivers and about 100 dogs were recruited to deliver the serum. Planes could not be used fearing if the plane crashed, the serum would be lost.

The sled dog drive was a success, the serum was delivered and lives were saved. The drive covered 674 miles in less than five and a half days.

This drive, along with the use of the Iditarod trail, is the origin of the well known Iditarod sled dog race.