This year’s Iditarod the smallest yet

Only 33 mushers will participate in the start of Alaska’s Iditarod Sled Dog Race on Saturday—that's one less than there were at the very first race back in 1973. While participation varies by year, usually about 60 mushers enter the race, which follows a 1,000-mile trail across two mountain ranges, the Yukon River, and parts of the Bering Sea coast.

Why aren’t there more mushers? Fewer young mushers are taking the place of mushers who retire. While the first finisher receives a prize of about $50,000, preparing for the race can be expensive. One Iditarod champion, Brent Sass, says he spends over $40,000 a year on quality dog food for his 58 dogs. Many mushers also supplement their income by selling dog-pulled sled rides, but the pandemic has lowered tourist numbers in Alaska.

Dig deeper: Read Marty VanDriel’s movie review of Dog Gone in WORLD Magazine.