The Race For Life

During the nineteenth century, pioneers brought new problems to the frontier of Alaska. The Native people were susceptible to diseases they had no defenses against. At a time when few knew anything about Alaska, dog teams and mushers captured headlines and hearts of people around the world.

In January 1925 an outbreak of diphtheria threatened the lives of the children of Nome. With motorized winter travel impossible, a desperate decision was made. Dog teams were organized pony express style to cover the vast arctic terrain, and 300,000 units of life saving serum made its way from village to village.

Nineteen mushers relayed the serum from Nenana to Nome (700 miles) in just over 127 hours. Thanks to the intrepid mushers and their dogs in that race against time, not each other, the epidemic was ended.

The 1049-Mile Challenge

The spirit of dedication, performance, and endurance is remembered by today the IDITAROD TRAIL SLED DOG RACE. In 1973 the first official Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race began with 44 mushers and took over 20 days. On the first Saturday of March of every year, as many as 73 sled dog racers (or "mushers" as they are called) gather in Anchorage to begin the longest sled dog race in the world.

The Iditarod pits man and man's best friend against some of the best and worst Mother Nature has to offer. The racecourse takes them over jagged mountains, through dense forests, and across frozen and desolate tundra.

The mushers and their teams must battle mental and physical fatigue, endure biting winds and subzero temperatures, and avoid the occasional marauding moose. The dogs and the men and women who race them thrive on such adventure. Few people get the opportunity to experience the thrills and excitement generated by such a race. Mushers and dogs from 15 countries have joined this elite group.

Already A Winner

In March, Linwood Fiedler of Willow, Alaska, will be one of the mushers to leave the starting line on Anchorage's Fourth Avenue to begin the 1049-mile race to Nome.

Linwood has twice won the 500-mile Montana Governor's Cup Sled Dog Race and finished in the top three of the Bear Grease and Klondike 300's. He also has multiple top 10 finishes in the Iditarod under his belt. Not only has he gained recognition as a top competitive contender, he has won the respect of his fellow mushers by winning the Humanitarian Award, Sportsmanship Award, and Good Samaritan Award.

A family man, Linwood and his wife Kathi, along with their three children, are involved in a joint dream. His son Dalton is an up-and-coming musher in his own right. In the shadow of Alaska's Denali, the family operates DAWN BREAKER KENNELS, raising and training sled dogs. With the vast wilderness all around him, Linwood has been able to keep the competitive edge by creating the perfect environment for the Alaska huskies he loves.

Raised in Vermont, Linwood has always been interested in winter sports. In the past he has competed in skiing and ski jumping. He bought his first team of sled dogs 20 years ago and has been seriously racing now for the past decade.

Linwood made mushing his full-time commitment, allowing him to set his own schedule to care for and train his dogs. His sport allows him the opportunity to enjoy two of the great loves of his life-dogs and the outdoors.

Real Athletes

The welfare of the dogs is top priority for Linwood. To prepare his dogs, Linwood maintains a scientific feeding and training schedule, just as a professional athlete would do. But he doesn't just see his dogs as athletes. Linwood knows each dog's personality and physical abilities, and they become part of his family. Linwood has built his team through breeding, training, care, and LOVE.

Sled dogs are typically not purebred or registered animals. Different desirable traits from various breeds are mixed to develop a dog specifically well adapted to marathon dog sled races. Linwood's dogs can trace their roots to Alaskan huskies and hounds. Even though sled dogs are bred to race, it takes countless hours of specialized training to turn a bunch of dogs into a team. The dogs are trained for strength, endurance, and speed, just as a marathon runner or swimmer. The dogs must also be taught to work together as a team just as a football or basketball team.

In the middle of Alaska's wilderness, the dogs and Linwood share a unique bond of trust. The dogs are controlled solely by his voice. The leaders follow commands that guide the team through mountains, open tundra, and the frozen coast. During the race, veterinarians are stationed at every checkpoint, where they continually monitor the dogs and can provide medical assistance if needed.

Doing it Right Costs Money

Training for and running the Iditarod will cost in excess of $30,000. Competing in sporting events is expensive, and dog sled racing is no exception.

Sleds, rigging and harnesses are expensive. Surviving a 1049-mile race across Alaska in the wintertime requires specialized gear and clothing. Food and veterinary care and supplies for the kennel are major budget items. To train properly, a musher must train full-time the last few months before a major race. Living expenses during this training period must be accounted for.

Be Part Of The Team

Be part of the team, the excitement, the victories and goals. Helping Linwood Fiedler attain his goal of winning the Iditarod holds the potential of many various rewards. Linwood is the type of person who enjoys sharing himself, his dogs, and their sport with others. He expects everyone who helps him to gain something in return. Individuals can feel a part of one of the greatest winter adventures possible. Small businesses and large corporations alike can reap tremendous public relations and advertising benefits. Dog sled racing has a strong local and growing national as well as international appeal. Many new spectators and participants are discovering it as a "new" winter sport to enjoy.

Linwood Fiedler is a very popular competitor in a sport that is growing in popularity. Sponsors of Linwood have been very pleased with his media coverage in Newspapers and on radio and television.

8.4 Million Hits

The Iditarod itself and the competing mushers receive major national and international media exposure. During the race (in just 12 days) the Iditarod Headquarters receives over 8 million hits on its Internet Home Page. Journalists from outdoor and adventure magazines, newspapers, and wire services follow the mushers from Anchorage to Nome and major checkpoints between to record the event. American, German, Spanish, British, and Japanese film crews have covered the race. Sled banners and clothing patches bearing

Sponsors' names are seen by millions of television viewers. Teachers use classroom Curriculum developed by the Iditarod Headquarters to teach children academic subjects. Linwood receives thousands of letters from school children plus Internet comments solicited on Iditarod's web site.

Linwood enjoys meeting and visiting with people. He is busy with public speaking engagements throughout the year. He is at ease with radio microphones as well as in front of television cameras. Besides helping to enrich and enliven the sport of dog sled racing, Linwood's sponsors will have an excellent representative for their products and services.

Come Share The Experience