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Race Philosophy
The 2008, 7th annual race just finished and preparations for the 2009 Iditarod Trail Invitational begin. Thanks to everyone in our extended family: racers, volunteers, sponsors and friends of the race both on and off the Trail for making the last six years of racing a success. Kathi and I hope we can all work together for many years to keep us coming together in February to race on the Iditarod Trail. If the record number of spring entries are any indication we should have a good crowd for 2009.
This was my 10th year on the trail as either a racer or trail support. I can take a year off from racing but I really would hate to miss a year on the trail. This year high winds, brushed in trails, river wide overflow and an alternative route through strange country took racers through an infamous gorge known as Hell’s Gate on the South Fork of the Kuskokwim River to Rohn. After all the horror stories we had heard about bad ice and open water in a place with a name like Hell’s Gate many racers took that 30 mile longer route to avoid bushwacking over Rainy Pass. Some racers who chose Rainy Pass made it over to find river wide overflow the last half mile down the Tatina River before the Rohn Roadhouse. As nearly always the Iditarod Trail was full of unexpected surprises that added to the experience for both racers and staff.
It was in Rohn as our trail breaker I had the good fortune this year to meet Joe May one of the legends and winners of the early Iditarod Sled Dog Races. The history lesson for all of us at the Rohn cabin that night cannot be bought or read in books. The stories of dog races in the early days told with a lot of humor fascinated us and kept us laughing. The more I listened the better I felt about the philosophy of the Iditarod Trail Invitational. When Alaska Ultra Sport was formed 6 years ago with the input of several veteran racers we all agreed support should be kept to a minimum. Winning or even finishing in the extremes of Alaskan winter weather would depend on how comfortable the racer may be with their abilities, level of experience and amount of risk they are willing to take. We differ from other races in that we allow racers to make the decision for themselves about what to carry, when to rest and when it is safe to travel. There is no designated route only mandatory checkpoints racers must pass through. As a race organizer it would be much less stressful to have all the rules, restrictions and support offered in other races but as a racer I want to make and be responsible for my own decisions. We try to limit the amount of support to just what is necessary to prevent our race from imposing on lodges and other folks along the trail when things don’t go as planned. Words from a story told by Joe May say it best and I am paraphrasing, “Some times when you offer too much support you cheat the true adventurer out of a big part of why they are in the race. They come to race, to confront and hopefully overcome what ever is thrown their way. To solve problems for them diminishes the experience.”
Listening to those stories from someone who experienced the early days of the Iditarod Trail made me sure I want to preserve this philosophy of adventure and experience for all who qualify and choose to participate in the Iditarod Trail Invitational.
• All survival gear (clothing, sleeping bags, etc.) for the McGrath race must be carried from the start.
• You may take any route as long as you sign-in and sign-out of the required checkpoints.
• No support crews!
• No outside assistance to advance up or down the trail.r
(no snowmachine or airplane rides)• Respect private property!
• Leave no trace. Do not litter the trail !!
• Smiles, Thank-you's and Tips are appreciated at all check points.
• Expendables only in drop bags!
(drop bags will not be returned!)• Do not bring bikes, sleds or skis inside checkpoints!
- • Cyclists must start and finish with the same bike.
• Time limits:
4 days from start to Fingerlake CP
5 days from start to Puntilla CP
7 days from start to Rohn CP
10 days from start to McGrath (350 mile)
30 days from start to Nome (1100 mile)
Missing Cut-off times at Fingerlake, Puntilla or Rohn does not mean disqualification but the racer will be responsible for their own food and lodging.
TIPS ON DROP BAGS:
• Drop bags should be Contractor Garbage Bags (big and strong) or tough stuff sacks.
• Drop bags will not be returned!
• Drop bags must be clearly labeled with racers name and drop location, filled with your supplies and secured shut.• You may ship them to us in boxes. (we will take them out of the box for packing them into a ski plane).
• You can share drop bags with another racer to limit waste. Use common sense!
• You may have two 10 lbs (4.5 kg) drop bags. One at Finger Lake and one at Rohn. For the Nome racers there is one 10 lbs drop bag for Cripple.
Drop bags are due in Anchorage at Alaska European B&B at 3107 Cottonwood St. by February 15th, 2009 to insure delivery to the checkpoints via ski plane.
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