What is the Lantern Red Awarded?
It is the award given to the last musher to cross the finish
line in Nome. It began as a joke years ago, and became a good luck
symbol for the race. A "widow's lamp" is lite in Nome, and hung at
the finish line, the same day the Iditarod, (dog sled race) starts
in Anchorage Alaska. The lantern will be left burning day and night
until the last contestant crosses the finish line. The last musher
to cross the finish line in Nome, is responsible for turning the
lantern off. Now, the last to finish the race is awarded the Red
Lantern Award. It shows the perseverance and dedication needed to
finish the race. It usually takes 14-15 days to finish the
Iditarod.