Iditarod will start next year on March 7th in Downtown Anchorage. Allen and Aliy have both signed up for the 2015 race. The first day to sign up was yesterday at Race Headquarters in Wasilla.
Aliy was able to attend the event while Allen worked their regularly scheduled Princess Cruise presentation in Denali National Park. (Don’t worry… Allen was able to send his paperwork with Aliy in order to sign up for the race as well!)
Sixty mushers signed up for the 2015 race yesterday. Thirty-six competitors were at the picnic in person and another twenty-four mailed in their entries. Fifteen of the mushers are rookies. More entries will come in over the next five months until the race entry deadline at the close of business on Friday, December 1st.
It was an exciting day at Race Headquarters for mushers, fans and volunteers.
It was a gorgeous sunshine-filled day for the picnic which was catered by long-time Iditarod sponsors — the Golden Corral Buffet and Grill — This popular Anchorage eatery is a family owned business and a fabulous place to grab a quick and nutritious bite to eat anytime of the day.
Aliy was there to thank the many volunteers that make the Iditarod possible. Mushers are not always ‘approachable’ during the race, so she felt that it was important to really take some time out and thank the people who make it all happen!
Terry — a long-time volunteer who works tirelessly on the Iditarod Trail in and around the Rohn Checkpoint — and Aliy share trail stories; Doreen, Golden Corral owner and her granddaughter share a ‘pink t-shirt moment’ with Aliy.
Galena ‘Comms’ Director told Aliy “You were even smiling in Galena!”; Aliy thanks Jim for all his Iditarod service. He helped design the dropped dog transport kennels.
There were also many race fans in attendance. Folks came to Alaska for the event to meet mushers and enjoy the festivities. Race Headquarters played historic Iditarod race videos throughout the day and the gift shop was busy. Jeff Schultz, official Iditarod photographer, had his new photo book — Chasing Dogs — available for purchase.
Aliy gave out SP Kennel Dog Trading Cards to fans of all ages and signed autographs.
On a personal note, Aliy got to chat with long-time SP Kennel friend, Margie, who has opened her kennel in Knik to the SP Kennel dogs during the race for many years. Her generosity is overwhelming to us! And, it’s always a GREAT day when Aliy gets to meet a new canine friend!
Margie and Aliy shared future cookie recipes; Aliy meets a “new friend”.
Awesome!!!
Go Aliy!!! Go Red Team!!!
Woof!!!
Love it! Thanks for the pics
Looks like it was a wonderful day! So glad you signed up for Iditarod 2015 on the 1st day. I'm taking it as an omen that 2015 will finally be your year….1st under the burled arch!
Thanks so much for the pictures & update. Looks like a great day— 60 sign ups so far. Go SPK. This is your year Aliy.
What a great day for the Iditarod!! Let's hope for lots of SNOW on the trail this year!! Nice to see all the interest in the race and many familiar faces in the line up who didn't let last years trail conditions break their spirit! It's already shaping up to be an awesome 2015 race!! Go SPK!!
Aliy, you're so awesome!
Thank you for sharing this day with us.
What a great way to show all those volunteers and supporters just how much you appreciate them, even though it may be difficult to express, during a grueling sleep deprived race.
I imagine they all inspired you to "get to it" and get in shape to be the best "dog 17" possible.
So…
you can DO IT FOR YOU!
Doreen, I love the pink shirts!
Aliy, I love how you are so approachable, and how you give of yourself to both the workers of the races and to the fans. You make this sport interesting for people like me who live far from Alaska to "watch". You are an awesome person, whom I hope to meet one day in person.
Wow sign up day already ! I just received my pre -ordered copy of 2014 race . Looking forward to sitting down this weekend , a wet winter weekend is in store for Melbourne , Australia . Perfect for watching the great race and all the fabulous teams of mushers and dogs but especially SP kennels . My Golden Retriever " Denali " and I will be watching 2015 and we love all the updates . Woof woof to the red and black teams cheers from Joanne Bechaz 🌻 and Denali 🐾🐾
Aliy, thank you so much for the photos, and, for signing on for the Iditarod!!! You give joy and a sense of well being in the company of your dogs!!!
God bless!!!