A sporting event starting in early March featuring dog sled teams racing approximately 1,000 miles from Anchorage to Nome along Alaska’s Iditarod Trail.
Last updated February 26, 2026 · by the
Holiday Calendar Team
Joe Redington Sr. and partners founded the Iditarod in 1973 to preserve sled dog culture and promote the historic Iditarod Trail through a long-distance race.
Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime on March 2, as we join in the excitement of the Iditarod Race, famously known as "The Last Great Race on Earth"! This unique event began back in 1973, driven by the idea of preserving the historic sled dog culture in Alaska and the important role it played in the state's heritage. With a snow-filled course of about a thousand miles spanning from Anchorage to Nome, the Iditarod Race is a pure testament of endurance, courage, and bonding between mushers and their canine companions. Prepare to be inspired as we celebrate not just a race, but also an indomitable spirit of grit, resilience, and incredible team work!
TIMELINE
GET INVOLVED
EDITOR'S PICK
HOST
ADOPT
VISIT
READ
WHY THIS DAY MATTERS
You can follow the race online, host a themed party or even adopt a dog team. These many ways to participate make it inclusive and fun, whether you're an avid dog lover or an adventure junkie. It's a shared experience that brings us all together every year.
The Iditarod Race is a great testament to the human spirit's resilience and strength. The mushers braving the harsh Alaskan wilderness show us that no obstacle is too big when you're fighting for something you believe in - in this case, preserving a beautiful and unique part of Alaskan heritage.
What better way to see the incredible bond between human and dog than through the Iditarod Race? These teams navigate thousand miles of wilderness together, relying entirely on each other for survival - it's a masterclass in trust, loyalty, and teamwork.
A sporting event beginning on the first Saturday of March showcasing sled dog racing endurance and Alaskan sled dog heritage along the historic Iditarod Trail.
Get ready to mush and howl on Sled Dog Day, a celebration of these incredible working dogs who brave the cold and conquer any terrain with their strength and determination.
A sporting event in March crowning top dog agility teams who qualify through regional competitions to navigate complex obstacle courses.
Experience the thundering thrill of the Indianapolis 500, where speed demons conquer the track in the world's biggest auto racing spectacle!
