Jan 15, 2006

Like Iditarod? Love Idita-Walk!

Just received a letter (via email) from Dave Olson of Nome, Alaska. After reporting that it's a frigid -19F there, Dave shared some info walkers might enjoy. We gleaned Dave's comments and three sites to let you know...

...On Sunday, March 8, the Iditarod will begin. More than 100 mushers--mostly Alaskan men and women from all walks of life--with teams of 12-16 sled dogs, set out to cover 1150 miles of rugged terrain from Anchorage to Nome. Teams must cross "jagged mountain ranges, frozen river, dense forest, desolate tundra and miles of windswept coast" in 10 to 17 days. Last year's top finisher won $72,000 of a $750,000 purse.

This will be the 34th year for the grand race held on the historic Iditarod Trail. It's the 24th year for the Junior Iditarod--a two-day, 100 mile race for dogsled teams led by 14 to 17 year old mushers. You'll be inspired by the biographies of these amazing kids.

Walkers should know it's the eighth year for a web-enabled, Iditarod-inspired fundraising and fitness event called the Idita-Walk. The Idita-Walk challenge is to walk 30 minutes a day for 35 days from February 1 to March 18.

Last year, I walked the event for the first time after hearing about it on Wendy Bumgardner's AboutWalking site (see 'Walk Encyclopedia" link in Walktopia's link list). It was so much fun that I have to do it again. For my $30 entry fee I logged my walks on the Idita-Walkers site, earned a certificate of completion and received a very nice t-shirt. An added bonus is that funds raised from the Idita-Walk go to a worthy cause. Last year it was the Nome, Alaska Boy Scout Troop. By the way, your dog companion can sign up too ($25) and receive a cool leash for finishing with you.

If you're trying to get started walking and need a little push, this is a great way to accomplish that goal. Let me know if you plan to Idita-Walk and I'll join YOUR virtual team!

Iditarod - Native American word meaning 'clear water' or 'distant place'.

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