Why did the Iditarod race start?

Answer 1

This site will explain the history of Dogsleding and the Iditarod in Alaska:

* Iditarod History

Iditarod History. The Beginning. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race first ran to Nome in 1973, after two short races on part of the Iditarod Trail in 1967 and ...

** http://www.iditarod.com/learn/history.html

Because an epidemic of diphtheria came to nome and they didn't have enough anti-toxin to give to everyone. so people outside of nome formed a relay to get the anti-toxin to nome.

Answer 2

The Iditarod honors the "Great Race of Mercy" in 1925 when essential serum for an outbreak of diptheria could not be delivered by air and the serum was delivered by dogsled in a blizzard covering 674 miles. The current race covers 1,161 miles in 8 to 15 days.

Answer 3

The Iditarod is fueled by greed. Mushers run dogs in the Iditarod to get prize money, book deals advertising contracts, and attention. Dogs who were in the Iditarod and their pups can be sold for more money. Often Iditarod mushers will profit from giving kennel tours and sled dog shows to tourists.

Dogs run in the Iditarod because they're hooked up to the sleds. They don't know that they'll be running more 1,000 miles over a grueling terrain in 8 to 15 days. Mushers will use force to get their dogs to race.

Just like us, the dogs don't want to run when they are tired, sick or in pain.

Answer 4

It is held to honor the 1925 Great Race of Mercy when diptheria vaccine was carried to Nome by dogsled.