So maybe you can't make it to Alaska to see the Last Great Race, or you've come up for the start but now you're back home and want to keep tabs. Thanks to the invention of the Internet, it's a whole lot easier to follow the race than it was 30 years ago (or more). No, seriously, as much as fans complain about how hard it is to follow the race online - it was much harder at the "height of the race's popularity."
Sure, you had ABC's Wide World of Sports to give you the recap several weeks after the race ended. Sure, the Alaska newspapers gave daily updates... but, sadly, through little to no fault of Iditarod's - those options aren't around. ESPN hasn't come calling, though every once in a while they might share a short blurb (typically when something majorly negative happens... or when a woman wins - which we haven't had in over thirty years).
If you grew up in Alaska you got several updates a day during the school day - or you had to go to the local library or post office to watch the in and out times. No GPS. No livefeeds. It was a magical time - and way less screens involved. But, then the internet... and faster internet speeds... and print media went away... and network news decided if it wasn't politics it wasn't worth following... so we have internet message boards, social media, and a couple of digital news sources. It's a lot more information in a lot more places.
Still, you may not know exactly where to look, so here's a basic rundown on sites that will be sure to give you the best information.
Official LinksThis should come as no surprise, but the best and most accurate information can be found from Iditarod.com. The Official website keeps the standings as current as possible (logistics of some of the checkpoints can cause delays), as well as offer ways to follow the race "in real time" or close to it. The biggest downfall is in order to truly follow along with the race you have to be able and willing to pay for a subscription to the Iditarod Insider. There are several levels of subscription.
Free - If all you want is to follow your favorite musher, you can sign up for free and receive updates on their race via email. You will only get official standings, so you won't get info while they travel in between checkpoints, no interviews, etc. Basically you get to experience the Iditarod the way fans did before Insider existed. They DO offer a few videos (with commercial breaks) and articles, but you're getting the bare minimum with this option.
Insider Ultimate - This is the one most commonly used by fans, musher families, and media alike. It gives you access to the GPS Trackers as well as Livefeeds of the checkpoints. During the race there are often two to three livefeeds running at any given time. You will also have access to video interviews leading up to and during the race. Trail highlight reels. It's a yearly cost of $44.95 and it automatically renews in July of each year (so, make sure they don't have your CC on file to do that if you aren't wanting that.) You can have up to two devices logged in at the same time.
Insider Ultimate Plus - Everything you get with Insider Ultimate as well as every Insider Documentary going back nearly twenty years. While the livefeed feature typically runs documentaries 24/7 during the race, with Plus you get to choose when and which one to watch on your time - and not just during the two weeks of the race. Like the other tier, the subscription is yearly and begins in July. It's just eleven dollars more at $55.95. You can have up to two devices logged in at the same time.
Both Ultimate and Plus allow you access to the chatroom where you can connect with fans around the globe at all hours day or night - you can also ask questions in the chat that may be answered by the experts on the commentary team.
News Media
Alaska's News Source (KTUU & KTVA) - A few years ago KTVA was bought out by KTUU and the official news source of the Iditarod went back to where it was for most of the race's history. The sports director understands and appreciates the sport having grown up in rural Alaska himself and he and his team of trail reporters do a really great job of recapping the race every evening. They also have up to date articles and reports on their website.
Anchorage Daily News - The largest newspaper in the state is also the largest source of print media surrounding the race. They now require a subscription to be able to read their articles (I believe you get five free reads before they lock it down), however they do run a special rate during Iditarod. They, like the others, have a dedicated page for Iditarod (and Rondy).
Alaska Public Media - Home to many a local Alaskan broadcast media, as well as PBS and NPR, this is another fantastic resource for a LOT of mushing information, not just Iditarod. They were home to the Iditapod for many years, though we haven't had a new season of that in two or three years as the hosts moved on to other jobs. They do have a dedicated page for Iditarod coverage and it's some of the best with local radio along the trail capturing much of the action and interviews.
News Media
Alaska's News Source (KTUU & KTVA) - A few years ago KTVA was bought out by KTUU and the official news source of the Iditarod went back to where it was for most of the race's history. The sports director understands and appreciates the sport having grown up in rural Alaska himself and he and his team of trail reporters do a really great job of recapping the race every evening. They also have up to date articles and reports on their website.
Anchorage Daily News - The largest newspaper in the state is also the largest source of print media surrounding the race. They now require a subscription to be able to read their articles (I believe you get five free reads before they lock it down), however they do run a special rate during Iditarod. They, like the others, have a dedicated page for Iditarod (and Rondy).
Alaska Public Media - Home to many a local Alaskan broadcast media, as well as PBS and NPR, this is another fantastic resource for a LOT of mushing information, not just Iditarod. They were home to the Iditapod for many years, though we haven't had a new season of that in two or three years as the hosts moved on to other jobs. They do have a dedicated page for Iditarod coverage and it's some of the best with local radio along the trail capturing much of the action and interviews.
Mushing Alaska - The Podcast created by the Underwood brothers, they interview mushers throughout the year as well as host several episodes of the podcast during the race. Sean Underwood is now out on the trail as part of Iditarod Insider, but his brother Brandon does a heck of a job putting together a show without him during Iditarod. He often has mushers not in the race come on as guest commentators/experts. They record LIVE and you can catch the show on Youtube.
The Burled Arch - Part of First Paw Media and Mushing Radio. Hosted by Robert and Michele Forto. During Iditarod they have a podcast dedicated to the race that airs nightly.
KNOM Radio - On the other side of the state where teams finish is this awesome radio station that covers the race as well. They typically broadcast the finish of the winner, as well as do a lot of indepth interviews of mushers on the last leg of the race. http://www.knom.org/
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - While they focus more on coverage of the Yukon Quest, the News-Miner is another excellent resource, especially in years when the Iditarod has to take drastic measures and prepare for a restart that far North. They have a dedicated page for Iditarod coverage, but it's a little lighter than the other pages linked here.
Social Media
Iditarod Trail Committee - Their Facebook page does have a lot of posts throughout the race, but not up to date action. More along the lines of official updates and posts. There are, however, a lot of fan discussions within the comments. This is their official page for the race and the organization.
Iditarod EDU - For the Iditarod Educators program, this Facebook page keeps teachers up to date on all the happenings with the Teacher on the Trail as well as lesson plan ideas, etc. They give some pretty fun insight into the race as well as just neat activities that don't just have to be used in a classroom. This is another official social media page of Iditarod.
Iditarod *YEAR*---fan page - This is a very active fan driven Facebook group that is run by a dedicated team of moderators that give updates several times a day throughout the race. They share highlights from the tracker as well as analysis. Discussions are lively and most often civil. They change the name to reflect the race year each year. If you don't follow/join any other Facebook page/group, follow this one. Even the mushers use them as a resource!
Alaska Mushing News - Run by Helen Hegener a local race nut and historian/author, this Facebook group is a great source to run to to find links to all articles relating to any and all mushing topics - which this time of year is basically Iditarod.
@ADNIditarod - If you're a fan of twitter, Alaska Daily News has a twitter account dedicated to the following of the race. This will keep you up to date on any big news on the trail as well as links to all of their Iditarod specific articles. Photos and videos show up here often as well.
Jeff Schultz Photography - The official Facebook page for the former official race photographer. Jeff retired off the trail several years ago so he could focus on his passion project Faces of Iditarod. While not often out on the trail these days he is still capturing moments and race history. His photos are incredible. He is the reason I am a sled dog photographer. Follow him.
#MusherSky - most of the mushing fans moved over to Bluesky after Twitter changed its name and so you can find "MusherTwitter" now on Bluesky under the hashtag MusherSky. If you followed along on Twitter you will find many familiar faces over on the newer platform.
Alaska Mushing News - Run by Helen Hegener a local race nut and historian/author, this Facebook group is a great source to run to to find links to all articles relating to any and all mushing topics - which this time of year is basically Iditarod.
@ADNIditarod - If you're a fan of twitter, Alaska Daily News has a twitter account dedicated to the following of the race. This will keep you up to date on any big news on the trail as well as links to all of their Iditarod specific articles. Photos and videos show up here often as well.
Jeff Schultz Photography - The official Facebook page for the former official race photographer. Jeff retired off the trail several years ago so he could focus on his passion project Faces of Iditarod. While not often out on the trail these days he is still capturing moments and race history. His photos are incredible. He is the reason I am a sled dog photographer. Follow him.
#MusherSky - most of the mushing fans moved over to Bluesky after Twitter changed its name and so you can find "MusherTwitter" now on Bluesky under the hashtag MusherSky. If you followed along on Twitter you will find many familiar faces over on the newer platform.
This is just a sampling as it changes all the time who is covering the race, but these are safe bets every year. Shameless plug - you can also follow me on Bluesky and on Facebook for updates on the race, photos, and I share a lot of the links listed in this blog. I'm sure I've missed someone, but my eyes are crossing so I will close for now. Comment below if you think a link should be added.
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