Eligibility: Jr. Mushers must be at least 14 but not yet 18 to be eligible for entry in the Jr. Iditarod. Each driver must obtain a signed statement from a recognized musher or mushing organization attesting to the belief that the entrant is capable of handling himself/herself and a team in a safe, humane, and competitive manner in Alaskan wilderness conditions.

Teams and Gear: Each team shall consist of a maximum of ten dogs and at no time shall less than five dogs be on the tow line. Gear is basically the same as mandatory gear on the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Requirements are clearly spelled out in the rules booklet which is sent to all entrants.

Entry Deadline: The entry deadline may vary. Interested mushers should check with ITC headquarters.

Food Shipment: Food for the team and the mushier is flown by the Jr. Iditarod Committee to the half-way point two weeks prior to the race.

Prizes and Trophies: Trophies are awarded to those mushers finishing in first through fifth places. All contestants receive a participation trophy. All drivers finishing the race earn the large Jr, Iditarod finishers patch similar to those awarded to successful Iditarod mushers.

The winner of the Jr. Iditarod also receives round trip tickets to Nome for themselves and their parents for the Iditarod Awards' Banquet, at which he/she is presented with a beautiful championship trophy. Additional placement prizes awarded to those who run the Jr. Iditarod are donated by local businesses - items such as a new sled, snow shoes, fur caps, fur mits, cold weather clothing and gear, portraits, and a variety of other nice gifts. Every finisher gets something.

Trail Typically, the Jr. Iditarod trail follows the Iditarod trail from the Wasilla area to the Big Bend of the Yentna River approximately 80 miles from the start. At that point, the mushers take a mandatory 8 to 12 hour layover depending on trail conditions and experience camping out with and caring for their dogs and themselves. The half way point is at Yentna Station Roadhouse . Another checkpoint is located about midway between the start and Yentna Station, in the area of the Susuitna River. Race officials medical and veterinary personnel are available at each checkpoint also.

Every possible precaution is taken to insure that the trail is adequately marked. Snowmachine crews sweep the trail before and after the teams leave from either end of the trail. Volunteer pilots fly cover over the race trail and reports of teams' progress are relayed to Headquarters by volunteer HAM operators located at each checkpoint.

Additional Information Jr. Iditarod was the first distance race and training ground for young mushers. Hopefully, other areas will begin to promote races for our future distance oriented champions. Please let us know if we can be of help in any way.