Here's some facts about The Last great Race On Earth that will probably not help you win at Trivial Pursuit, but they're interesting anyway.
First Iditarod: Began March 3, 1973
Fastest: 8 days, 22 hours, 46 minutes by Martin Buser in 2002 (action photo above)
Fastest on the Southern Route: 9 days, 2 hours, 42 minutes by Doug Swingley in 1995*
Most Finishers: 77 in 2004
Slowest: 32 days, 15 hours, 9 minutes by John Schultz in 1973
Youngest racer: Dallas Seavey, who turned 18, on March 4, 2005**
Oldest racer: Col. Norman Vaughan, 88
Iditarod, Yukon Quest Champion in same year: Lance Mackey in 2007, 2008 (action photo above)
First Woman Champion: Libby Riddles in 1985 (Susan Butcher got her first victory the next year)
First Lower 48 champion: Doug Swingley in 1995
First Foreign Champion: Robert Sorlie of Norway in 2003
Oldest Champion: Jeff King, 50
Most wins: Rick Swenson's five titles
Closest finish: Dick Mackey's one-second victory over Rick Swenson in 1978
First Woman Finishers: Mary Shields and Lolly Medley of College in 1974
*The Northern Route is run in even years; the Southern Route, in odd years (this year)
** Dallas Seavey's young wife Jen is racing this year. She's #61; he's #62
The above action photos of the start today were taken about three miles from downtown Anchorage (at my trail guard position). Martin Buser got by me too quickly so you'll see his back. I was able to get a better photo of Lance Mackey.
