Thursday, February 24, 2011

Idita-Rider Janet

Each year, the Iditarod Trail Committee holds an auction-style fundraiser, offering race fans an opportunity to get up-close and personal to all the excitement of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race Ceremonial Start. The winning bidders, known as Idita-Riders, enjoy the first leg of the race, approximately 11 miles, through Anchorage, from one of the best vantage points in the race; right behind a team of Iditarod canine athletes!

This year will be my friend Janet's fifth Idita-Rider experience. Jan rode with Lance Mackey in 2007 and 2008, which, by the way, was the beginning of Lance's winning streak!



Lance Mackey
2009 Iditarod Restart



In 2009, Jan rode with Staff Sgt. Harry Alexie, who was representing the Alaska Army National Guard. 
Harry had spent several months training  with Lance at Mackey’s Comeback Kennel . Harry completed the race in 37th position, which is quite an accomplishment for a rookie!



Jan in Harry's sled,
2009 Iditarod Ceremonial Start


Walt (Jan's husband), Harry, and Jan
Campbell Airstrip
(end of the ride)


 Last year, Jan was Jamaican Newton Marshall's Idita-Rider. Marshall, whose sponsors include Jimmy Buffet, had also trained extensively with Lance Mackey.  Newton finished in 47th place.




Jan (waving the Jamaican flag) in Newton's sled
2010 Iditarod Ceremonial Start
Mush Mon!


Newton Marshall
2010 Iditarod Restart
Willow Lake


The 2011 Iditarod begins Saturday, March 5th, and Jan will be ready to ride! She continues her loyalty to Mackey's Comeback Kennels again this year, as she will be riding with Lance's step-son, Cain Carter.





Cain, who won the 2009 Jr. Iditarod, will be riding as a rookie in this year's Iditarod. 


Me, Jan, Cain, and Walt
2009 Musher's Banquet


 To all the musher's, riders, and especially the wonderful dogs:
Happy Trails!

Return to homepage:
http://kit-dogdaze.blogspot.com/










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25 comments:

  1. SharonFebruary 24, 2011 at 7:36 PM

    That sounds like fun - the ride along for a short period - that is.

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  2. TexWisGirlFebruary 24, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    So I'm guessing each team has a rider for the first leg? Do they make allowances for weight differences or anything?

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  3. ♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥February 24, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    What wonderful experiences your friend Jan has had! We wish her and Cain all the best in this year's run.

    Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

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  4. ~Kim at Golden Pines~February 24, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    Hello Kit!! I've missed your posts and was so glad to see this from you today--I've been going to ask you if you were going to Alaska this year--I guess this tells me my answer. Like you, I love the race but seeing it on TV isn't the same as being there, is it? I miss those days too and wish every one a safe race!!

    I really do hope you are doing well!!!

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  5. Mogley G. RetrieverFebruary 24, 2011 at 9:21 PM

    Lets all syncronise our clocks so we don't miss the start of the race!

    Thanks for reminding us of the date.

    Mogley G. Retriever

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  6. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    WOO HOO!!!
    Mush...........

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  7. Two French BulldogsFebruary 24, 2011 at 11:16 PM

    Wow we would loveto ride along
    Benny & Lily

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  8. MaxmomFebruary 24, 2011 at 11:58 PM

    Hey there Kit
    I can't believe its that time of the year again (already). It feels like yesterday when I was following each leg. Wow! You friend is so lucky to have had all those experiences. My best wishes to all the ID riders, mushers, helpers and canine participants. Don't you wish you were there again?
    Sending lotsaluv
    MAXMOM IN SOUTH AFRICA

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  9. Sierra RoseFebruary 25, 2011 at 12:35 AM

    Wow! What an experience! Do all the participants have an auction bidder ride with them for the first leg of the race? Exciting!!

    Sweet hugs,
    Sierra Rose

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  10. JacksDadFebruary 25, 2011 at 12:46 AM

    Do they let labs run in the race? I know a couple who could be in contention!

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  11. UnknownFebruary 25, 2011 at 6:54 AM

    That Janet sure knows how to get in on the fun! Thanks for sharing this!

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  12. My Mind's EyeFebruary 25, 2011 at 7:23 AM

    Gosh it hard to believe it is that time again!!! What wonderful pictures and memories
    Travel safe Cain and team.
    Madi and Mom

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  13. SusanFebruary 25, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    So loved reading this and seeing the pics! Thanks for a wonderful post!

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  14. UnknownFebruary 25, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    It sounds so interesting! How I wish I could be there and witness all these great events!

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  15. KBFebruary 25, 2011 at 8:35 AM

    Wow, how cool is that?

    I saw a documentary about the Jamaican dog sled team in its very early days. It looks like they made it all the way to the Iditarod. That's great!

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  16. NJStar224February 25, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    Wonderful post about Janet, and all her Iditarod Mushers. Thanks for all the pictures. Counting down the days till the race. Wishing everyone a safe and speedy race and happy trails.
    NJStar224

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  17. animal lover, quilt loverFebruary 25, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    Girlfriend, hope your week-end is a very good one!! I am hoping for ours!!
    XX, Bambi & Fern

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  18. KathyFebruary 25, 2011 at 2:32 PM

    Absolutely thrilling post, Kit!!
    Oh, to have a bunch of money to be an Idit-Arider like lucky Jan!!
    She is their good luck charm for sure!
    Yup, got my email from the race to keep me informed, since there wont' be any coverage on the OUTSIDE!! LOL
    Hike!

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  19. RemingtonFebruary 25, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    Now that sounds like a great adventure!

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  20. BobbyFebruary 25, 2011 at 5:25 PM

    WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A GO, NOT THE RACE JUST A PRACTICE.
    IT ALL LOOKS LIKE EVERY BODY HAS A GREAT TIME. THE DOGS SEEM TO ENJOYS THEM SELVES TOO.

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  21. UnknownFebruary 25, 2011 at 8:45 PM

    Hi Kit: You are the best! This is a wonderful walk/ride down memory lane. Each musher does have an Idita-rider in their sled at the Ceremonial Start. I'm going to take some video of the ride this year. I'll share it with Kit when I get the chance. Maybe she'll put some of it in one of her magical posts. Don't forget to go to www.iditarod.com to follow the race.

    Hike!
    Janet

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  22. EdFebruary 26, 2011 at 10:21 PM

    Love that adventure.

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  23. animal lover, quilt loverFebruary 26, 2011 at 10:42 PM

    Especially the wonderful Dogs!!!!!
    This year the Japanese Magnolia tree went from dormant to blooming in just 4 days!! It is the most beautiful blooms this year!!!!
    We have seeds coming up, everybody outside is so excited for spring!!
    We will have more cold, but the coons have run off Johnny, that means they are getting ready for mating season. Things are happening around here!!!!!!!!!!!
    Hugs Girlfriend, Fern

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  24. FANCY the Red Standard PoodleFebruary 28, 2011 at 8:18 AM

    Hi Y'all,

    Love to watch those dogs work! My Human keeps talkin' about teachin' me to pull, but without snow what to pull became too problematic.

    I wanted to let y'all know that I've given you the Stylish Blogger Award. Stop and pick it up when y'all get a chance.

    Y'all come by now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

    ReplyDelete
  25. animal lover, quilt loverMarch 1, 2011 at 2:01 PM

    We have tomatoes- 9 that are up and 5 have been up potted and are about 3 inches tall. We have kale and water crest, spinach, swiss chard and
    squash, strawberry's 4 kinds of hot peppers and 2 kinds of sweet peppers,
    potatoes, red cabbage, cucumbers and I am probably forgetting something.
    Lots of herbs all growing for us!!!
    We have our work cut out for us!!!
    xxxooxx, Fern

    ReplyDelete

I love your comments! Thank you, ~K