ID: Iditarod Week - Anchorage Timetable

Iditarod is a week away and we can't wait!

Between now and Wednesday Aliy and Allen will be stretching out their teams for the final times (and narrowing down their team selections) and packing sleds and personal gear for Anchorage and Nome.

Wednesday Aliy, Allen and Moira fly down to Anchorage and meet Aliy's parents at the airport from Florida, then they all attend a dinner with SP Kennel's biggest sponsor: Matson (formerly Horizon Lines). Aliy and Allen will present some videos and stories from the trail to share with the team who has been with them since 2006.

Thursday we start the day with breakfast with our long time dog food sponsor Eagle Pack and their representatives; then both our mushers are tied up most of the day with musher meetings and lunch with their Idita-riders. At the same time the dogs, along with Chris and Mark, come down the Parks Highway to Anchorage; as does the rest of the human team.

Thursday evening is the Start Banquet and Bib Draw at 6pm in the Dena’ina Centre. There, we will learn when our teams leave the start line.

We will take a few dogs and people on a visit to the offices of Matson on Friday morning, then go to another sponsor event in the afternoon. During the evening Aliy and Allen will get a chance to have some quiet, family time before they head off into the wilderness.

Saturday morning is fun! The Ceremonial Start through the streets of Anchorage kicks off at 10am and that is always enjoyable! It's great to see thousands of people out and about cheering the teams on.

Saturday evening Aliy and Allen will pack their sleds for the final time and ensure everything is ship-shape ready for their adventure.

On Sunday the teams are off! We all make the trek north to Willow to farewell our precious 32 canines and two humans until we see them again in Nome. The rest of us then make our way further north back to the kennel.

If you are in Anchorage for any of the festivities do make yourself known and come visit with us. Remember we will be staying at the Extended Stay Anchorage - Downtown and will make our timetable of feeding and walking the dogs available to guests so you can come and say hello.