Posts by Terrie Hanke
Eye on the Jr: Mid-race Update
The mushers camped in the woods along the Yentna River at the Yentna Station Roadhouse. For years now, the checkpoint has been hosted by the Gabryszak Family. As the teams arrive, their arrival time is recorded, mandatory equipment is checked, dogs are checked and then they park on the wooded trails along the river. In …
Eye on the Jr: Ten Teens Take the Trail
It was a busy morning on Knik Lake! Ten teens, each with ten dogs arrived well before the 10:00 am start time. The dog trucks and trailers parked in a semi-circle around the start banner. The dogs were brought out for water and a pre-race meal then the mushers go to work packing their sleds …
Eye on the Jr: Gary and Carolee Johannes Honored
The Jr. Iditarod Board of Directors has named Gary and Carolee Johannes as the Honorary Musher for the 44th running of the race. The Jr. Iditarod mushers will sign bib #1 and present it to Gary and Carolee in recognition of their service over the past thirteen years. Trail boss Richard Plack says, “Both Gary …
Eye on the Jr: Rookies with Family ties to Jr. Iditarod and Iditarod
Two rookie mushers competing in the 2021 Jr. Iditarod have family ties going back, way back, in both the Jr. Iditarod and the Iditarod. It’s extremely exciting to see this younger generation of mushers take to the trail in Jr. Iditarod. These two young women carry on the sled dog legacy of families that were …
Eye on the Jr: Meet 5 Rookies of the Class of 2021
Kids come to mushing through many different circumstances. Sometimes, it’s purely coincidental and other times it’s a family affair. Some get into the sport after being introduced by neighbors or friends while others follow older brothers and sisters down the trail. Whatever brought them to dogs, these are dedicated young mushers who have worked hard …
Eye on the Jr: 2021 Veterans
While so many things have changed over the past year, there are a few that thankfully keep us anchored in time. The 44thJr. Iditarod is set to begin as always on the last Saturday of February. That’s the traditional day for the Jr. Iditarod, a week ahead of the Iditarod. The start time of 10:00 …
Eye on the Jr: Race History
This February will mark the 44th running of the Jr. Iditarod. The Junior, just like the Iditarod, began as a dream. It was Joe Redington who dreamed of a long distance race across Alaska to commemorate the place of the sled dog in the history of Alaska and bring recognition to the Historic Iditarod Trail. …
Eye on the Jr. – Celebration of Success
The Celebration of Success for the 2020 Jr. Iditarod was held in the Willow Community Center. Snow had fallen during the night all along the trail and continued through the day on Sunday. That translates into a slow run for the home stretch of the race. The mushers and dogs handled it well. To quote …
Eye on the Jr. – Heading to Willow
The Jr. Iditarod mushers are back on the trail heading to Willow and the finish line. Julia Cross lead all mushers into Yentna and departed at 03:44 to lead all mushers to Willow. Trailbreakers departed before the mushers. Measurable snow fell during the night to create a winter wonderland. Willow reported 15 inches. All teams …
Eye on the Jr. – Running to Yentna
It was partly cloudy in Knik and the temperature was just above the zero mark. Light winds brought the feels like temperature down a few degrees but by mushing standards it is a great day for a race. Mother Nature has been good to mushers and snow machiners over the recent weeks, providing adequate snowfall. …