Snow fell over night making the start of the JR Iditarod on Knik Lake making a magical snowy winter wonderland. The temperatures were pleasant and the winds were light as the mushers prepared for the start. No matter how much preparation is done in advance of the race, there’s still plenty to do between parking …

The stage is set for the forty-first JR Iditarod. Earlier today mushers brought their dogs in for vet check. This evening they gathered for bib draw, pizza, cake and race rule information. Eleven mushers will take to the trail on Saturday morning. Bib number 1 is reserved for the honorary mushers – Bernie and Jeanette …

Former JR Iditarod Champion, Cim Smyth, is the 2018 Race Marshall. During Cim’s four year Jr. Iditarod career that began in 1991, he placed 7th, 2nd twice and claimed gold on his final run in 1994. As a matter of fact, the JR Iditarod was dominated by the Smyth boys for three years running. Older brother, …

Teens ranging in age from 14 to 17 are anxious and excited to run the 150 miles from Knik Lake out to the Yentna Station Roadhouse then to the finish line at the Willow Community Center. When the teens reach Yentna Station located on the big bend of the Yentna River, they’ll camp with their …

The field for the JR. Iditarod has grown to eleven mushers. The teens, aging from 14 – 17 years in age, are anxious and excited to run the 150 miles from Knik Lake out to the Yentna Station Road House and then finishing at the Willow Community Center. The race is billed as the race …

  The 40th Jr. Iditarod Champion was crowned three minutes past noon on Sunday of the two-day event. Andrew Nolan came onto Willow Lake with a spirited dog team. Nolan and Colby Spears had exchanged leads throughout the trip from Yentna. As he polled with the beat of the dogs, Nolan knew Colby was close …

The Jr. Iditarod start couldn’t have been more beautiful. The clouds were low on Knik Lake as the dog trucks came in to park. The temperatures were mild with no wind. The clouds lifted, Mother Nature’s artistic beauty was revealed in the hoar frost that covered the trees all the way around the lake. Incredible …

The stage is set for the 40th Jr. Iditarod. Earlier today mushers brought their dogs in for vet check. This evening they gathered for the bib draw, pizza, cake and race rule information. It will be a baker’s dozen, thirteen mushers will take to the trail on Saturday morning. In an earlier post, six of the …

Jr. Iditarod vet check was the happening at Iditarod Headquarters on Friday morning. The Veterinary team headed by Dr. Phil Meyers was on hand to screen the canine athletes and Race Marshal; Meredith Mapes assisted the vets and mushers with the necessary paperwork. Mushers will gather again later this evening at Iditarod Headquarters for the …

The Jr. Iditarod salutes Stan as Sally Smith as the honorary mushers for the 2017 race. The Smiths will be wearing bib #1 for the start of the 40th Jr. Iditarod. The race will begin on Saturday Feb 25th at 10:00 am within shouting distance of Joe and Vi Redington’s former home place on Knik Lake. …