"There WILL be a Nome this year."

The mushing season unofficially opened yesterday as fans, volunteers, and mushers came together in Wasilla for the first day of registration for the 50th running of the Iditarod. After having canceled the event last year due to Covid-19 lockdowns, the Iditarod picnic was a welcome sight coming out of a very long unsocialized year. People greeted each other with excited smiles, hellos, and hugs. As always, it was a true reminder that the mushing community is more like family than like frenemies. 

Several generations of mushers were represented at the afternoon affair, trailbreakers like Dan Seavey and Dick Mackey sat at a table to relive those first races. A new batch of rookies nervously signed up and chatted amongst themselves with that energy that only first timers have. The seasoned veterans - including several past champions - sat back and relaxed while chatting with fans and signing autographs. For mushers who ran their rookie race in 2021, there had been no pomp and ceremony for their sign ups, so mushers like Will Troshynski noted they still felt like rookies as they signed up the traditional way at this year's picnic.

While in most years the picnic sees several hundred attendees, this year's event felt far more intimate. Due to travel restrictions mushers and fans alike were unable to make their way to Alaska. With no cruise ships coming into Alaska, the giant tour groups that typically show up to take in a little Iditarod are much smaller. There was no Teachers Conference - put on every year by the Iditarod Education Program - and they always end their conference with the picnic. Those that did come out enjoyed a warm summer day - while the rest of south central got rain, the spot in Wasilla that is the Iditarod HQ saw sun - and good food and fun.

Veterans of the inaugural Iditarod, Dan Seavey (left) and Dick Mackey
swap stories at the Iditarod Picnic. Wasilla, Alaska. June 26, 2021.

Mushers milled about throughout the afternoon - the Iditarod holds drawings for prizes and two lucky mushers are drawn to have their entry fee waived, but mushers must be present to win - chatting with eager fans as well as amongst themselves already sizing up the competition. Many were overheard asking about what races each kennel planned on participating in, and every so often a musher wandered over to the registration table to see how many were signed up (most to see what their odds were of winning their entry fee back). 

As the event came to an end, Iditarod CEO Rob Urbach took to the mic (that they still haven't replaced, and its wires are so loose it cuts out more and more every year) to announce the door prizes. Rob thanked the dedication of the staff and volunteers especially over the last year with a race finishing at the start of covid, and one run during covid. He praised race officials for keeping the race going during shut downs and in spite of shut downs. He thanked the mushers for their continued enthusiasm and support. He noted the change of trail in the 2021 race and noted how much Nome was missed... and then announced "There WILL be a Nome next year!" to which the crowd erupted into cheers.

Urbach went on to say that fans and mushers needed to "stay tuned" as in the coming weeks more announcements would be made as the Iditarod is working on several projects and initiatives in conjunction with celebrating 50 years of Iditarod. There was no hint as to what they were, but Urbach promised they were very exciting. The Iditarod CEO also noted that they would be unveiling a new Logo - which many were unsure if that meant the 2022 logo or a new race logo. Time will tell.

Iditarod CEO Rob Urbach addresses the crowd of mushers
and fans during the Iditarod Picnic. Wasilla, Alaska. June 26, 2021.

Once the announcements were made, the moment all the mushers had waited for were upon them. Mark Nordman, Iditarod Race Marshall, took the mike to announce. Matt Failor - with sled dog "Black Sabbath" (known as "Sabby") in tow - won the door prize of a dog food dipper and dog dishes. Anja Radano won the case of 1,000 dog booties. Nordman then handed the names over to Rob Urbach saying he didn't want to pick the entry fee winners as he didn't want to be accused of rigging it (said tongue in cheek). Riley Dyche and Deke Naaktegboren were announced as the winners of the entry fee door prizes, and with that the picnic was over. Everyone continued to mingle before wandering back over to the parking lots. 

By the end of the day, 49 mushers signed up for Iditarod 50. Registration will continue through December. Mushers are not announced/accepted until their paperwork is complete and their entry fee (a whopping $4000) is accepted and processed. Mushers can apply online, through the mail, and in person at Headquarters (I think fax might still be an option, too). Of those signed up, six former Iditarod Champions are in the mix. Nine rookies are already on the roster as well. Along with the champs and rookies are a list of who's who in mushing. Once again, the race is looking at one of its most competitive fields. With the race hitting the historic milestone of 50 years, it is expected that the roster will only deepen with many old timers contemplating openly how they'd like to participate. To view a full list of mushers, visit the Iditarod's musher list. 

Mushers have until December to register for the Iditarod (after November 30, the entry fee jumps to $8000). More announcements on plans for the 50th Iditarod will be announced beginning July 1. We're just under three months until the fall training season should begin. 

Who are you excited to see sign up? Who are you surprised isn't on the list, or hope to see on the list? Comment below!