Iditarod 2006
The start of the annual Alaskan Iditarod Dog Sled Race started last Saturday in Anchorage on 4 th Avenue . This year there were 83 mushers attempting to make the trek from Anchorage to Nome 1,100 miles away. This adventure through the Alaskan wilderness over mountains, along frozen rivers, and in harsh winter conditions reaching minus 50 below zero temperatures. The world's longest sled-dog race thrives on the mystique of mushers and their canine companions braving the vicious cold of faraway Alaska . But only rarely can anyone see firsthand what's happening along the trail. From the helicopters clattering over downtown Anchorage on Saturday morning to the crowds swarming the streets, it was clear Iditarod has become the new Anchorage Fur Rendezvous World Championships. Who could have imagined that a 1,100-mile ultra-marathon waged across the vast emptiness of the 49th state could someday spark a show like this: gawking tourists f