On February 2nd in 1925, Twenty brave, warmly-dressed mushers began a journey transporting medicine (diphtheria antitoxin) to Nome, Alaska. Their trek was the inspiration for the Iditarod, the world’s longest and most challenging dog sled race. The name Iditarod came from a Deg Xit’an word “hidedhod” for the Iditarod River. This name means distant or distant place.
There was a children’s story that was loosely based upon this historical event. “Balto” was a real dog – a Siberian Husky – who was the back-up dog on that fateful journey. He gained greater notoriety because he ran the last leg of the journey – he crossed the “finish line.” But I suppose that there’s room here for a reminder about the power and benefit of teamwork. Surely you have heard me “wax poetic” about the power of we.
Today, Iditarod mushers compete in a recreation of “the Great Race of Mercy” and try to complete that journey as a matter of honor and personal determination. But make no mistake about it, that first long, hard, cold journey was certainly a matter of life and death. Some journeys are. If you’re on a journey, let’s play to win and remember what’s a stake.
And remember – If you aren’t the lead dog,…
…(wait for it)…
…the scenery never changes!
