As long as there’s enough snow (which has been an issue in the past) and rogue snowmobilers are kept at bay, the 44th annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race will begin in Anchorage on March 4th.
If you’d like to take part in the legendary dog race, ponying up a bit of cash could get on the sled of four-time winner and current Iditarod champ Dallas Seavey when it leaves the starting line.
Seavey is one of the 76 mushers leading teams in the race who are auctioning a spot on their sled for the ceremonial 11-mile run that kicks off the nearly 1,000-mile course each year.
Bidding for a spot on one of the sleds started at $750 (including Seavey’s) and, for those who can’t wait till January 20th to find out if they’re top dog, there’s a buy-it-now option for $7,500.
Winners — who are called IditaRiders, FYI — will ride in the basket of their musher’s sled, and will qualify for a tax deduction as profits from the auction benefit the nonprofit that handles Iditarod trail work.
If you lose out on the bidding or can’t make it to Alaska in March, there’s always the Idiotarod.
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