Just what happens at a Musher's Banquet?

Jeff King happily signs a volunteer's armband at the Willow Restart. (2013)

Back in 2010 I was lucky enough to get to volunteer to work the merchandise tables at the Musher's Banquet. I'd never been to one, and I was really looking forward to the experience. I haven't gotten to go back since (I moved away from Anchorage, so it's hard to get up there on a weekday/night).

The Musher's Banquet is another opportunity for race fans to mingle with all of the mushers. It is a mandatory event for participants because it is where they will draw their bib numbers - this of course determines when they leave out of the start (both Ceremonial and Restart). The banquet typically has Hobo Jim on stage singing away - and sometimes other talent as well (in 2010 we were serenaded by a very young Conway Seavey, it was highly entertaining... and now he's making a name for himself in music). There is an auction, there's good food, there's Iditarod inspired wine.

Fans, sponsors and mushers gather at tables... check out the merchandise... check out the wines... they hob knob. Mushers reconnect. It's really a big party - just with a few dignitaries. Mushers go up to the podium to draw their number - and the order with which they go up is by the order with which they signed up for the race. They are given a few minutes to thank their family, friends, and sponsors and give soundbytes. You can guarantee the more charismatic mushers put on a show.

It's a ticketed event and it's well worth it - I don't know if they're sold out this year, but even if you can't make the actual event you CAN watch on the Iditarod Insider. If you haven't signed up for a subscription - do so. It's well worth the $$ for all of the inside info. Especially the video and GPS. You can watch the Musher's Banquet LIVE tomorrow night. It starts at 6pm AKST.



I won't get to watch - I will be on the road headed to Anchorage. Can't wait to get up there! I'm getting a toasted Quiznos Sub for dinner. Then Friday it's all about the Iditarod, and capping it off Saturday with the Ceremonial Start! w00t!

Musher's Banquet opens March Madness #iditarod

While most people hear "March Madness" and think basketball, those in Alaska know it's all about the Iditarod. Tonight will be the Musher's Banquet. This is one of the final fundraisers for the Iditarod, and it is the beginning of the race in many ways. All mushers are in attendance, and fans buy tickets to sit at their favorite's table. They dine on some fantastic vittles, and Hobo Jim entertains.

Then the dinner turns serious, there's an auction - which is fun, but also competitive in its own right - and then the headlining event. Mushers come up in the order of sign up to draw a number out of the hat. This will be their final strategy prep. They will say a few words to their supporters and sponsors and the race, they'll take their number, they'll head back to their seat. And then the mind games begin.

Most mushers will tell you that they want to be the middle of the pack, number wise. The earlier you run out of the gate you break trail, tire early, and you have a longer wait when you take your "24 hour rest". With teams leaving the starting line at 2 minute intervals, depending on how many teams there are, the first person out of the gate's 24 hour rest is actually longer than 24. This then starts everyone over and the race can begin. Again, it all comes down to strategy. The mushers have chosen, in their mind, where they will take their 24 weeks ago. Their food drop bags are marked, and their supplies are flown out to the check point a week or so before the race begins.

What's even more competitive are the fans waiting to hear the bib numbers so they can record them. Mind you, the Iditarod does a wonderful job of getting bib numbers out before the night is over, but folks are mad dashing it to find out. Fans and volunteers alike hover around to get the numbers as they're announced. It's exciting, but a little scary with the way some aggressively go to be the first to write down the numbers in their ITC Membership booklet!

No matter where mushers end up, it all comes down to the team running the week of the Iditarod.