What was it really like to race in the very first Iditarod in 1973?

In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, host Robert Forto continues his conversation with Rod Perry, one of the original participants in the inaugural Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Rod shares firsthand stories from the historic race that helped shape Alaska’s most famous sporting event.

Rod describes the atmosphere at the start of the race, when only a small crowd gathered at Tudor Track in Anchorage, long before the Iditarod became a global phenomenon. He explains how mushers assembled their teams from whatever dogs they could find, often borrowing animals or pulling together mismatched teams with little training.

The discussion explores what it was like to race across Alaska in those early days. With few checkpoints, limited supplies, and almost no established infrastructure, mushers relied heavily on wilderness survival skills. Rod also recounts the story of his legendary lead dog, Fat Albert, and how that dog helped carry his team across the state.

The episode also explores how dramatically the race has evolved. Early mushers ran with patched gear, homemade sleds, and minimal nutrition for their dogs, while modern racers compete with specialized equipment, professional training programs, and elite canine athletes.

Rod concludes by describing the emotional moment of reaching Nome after nearly a month on the trail and reflecting on how the first Iditarod helped launch one of the world's most iconic endurance races.

If you are interested in the history of dog mushing, the origins of the Iditarod, or the stories of the pioneers who helped build the sport, this episode offers a rare look into one of the most important chapters in sled dog racing history.

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

The 54th running of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is officially underway, and it all began with the ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage. In this episode of The Burled Arch, hosts Robert and Michele Forto recap the energy, excitement, and controlled chaos of race day as mushers and their teams lined up along 4th Avenue for the traditional start of Alaska’s most famous race.

Michele reports from the scene with interviews from handlers, fans, and even a few young future mushers while sharing what the crowd atmosphere looked like this year. The hosts also discuss the new Expedition Class, highlight a rookie musher to watch, and preview what fans can expect at the Willow restart as the race truly begins.

If you follow the Iditarod or love sled dog racing, this episode gives you an insider’s perspective on the traditions, personalities, and moments that make the ceremonial start such a special part of the race.

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, host Robert Forto speaks with 2026 Junior Iditarod Champion Stanley Robinson of Robinson Racing Kennel in Nenana, Alaska. Stanley discusses what it felt like to cross the finish line of his first Junior Iditarod victory and how his dogs performed in the cold conditions of the 150-mile race.

Stanley comes from a deep mushing family background, with his sister a four-time Junior Iditarod champion and his father an Iditarod veteran. During the conversation, he talks about growing up with sled dogs, running traplines with his team, and managing race dogs alongside traditional working sled dogs.

The episode also explores a remarkable adventure Stanley took with his family traveling from Nenana to Nome along the Iditarod Trail, giving listeners a firsthand look at life on Alaska’s historic mushing routes.

Listeners will hear about Stanley’s race strategy, his lead dog Vicky, and what the future may hold, including a possible run in the Iditarod in the coming years.

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

The 2026 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is about to begin, and the excitement is building across Alaska. In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, hosts Robert and Michele Forto preview the upcoming race with a deep look at the ceremonial start in Anchorage, the official restart in Willow, and the full bib draw and starting order for this year’s field of mushers. ceremonial-start

They also share their predictions for the race, including their top five contenders to reach Nome and their Rookie of the Year picks. With past champions like Jessie Holmes, Pete Kaiser, and Ryan Redington in the field, the 2026 race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in years.

The episode also introduces a new segment, Memorable Moments in Mushing History, highlighting the story of the first Iditarod in 1973 and the incredible effort that launched the race into the global spotlight.

If you are planning to attend the ceremonial start in Anchorage or the restart in Willow, this episode also includes helpful information about parking, travel logistics, and what fans can expect on race weekend.

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

The start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race begins long before the teams reach the trail. One of the most anticipated events of race week is the Iditarod Mushers Banquet, where fans, sponsors, and mushers gather in Anchorage for an evening that officially launches the Last Great Race on Earth.

In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, hosts Robert and Michele Forto take listeners inside this iconic event. The banquet features the famous bib drawing from a traditional mukluk, meet-and-greet opportunities with mushers, auctions that help support the race, and special tributes to important figures in Iditarod history.

The show also explores updates to the Iditarod Insider platform, including multi-camera livestreams, improved GPS tracking, fan chat features, and SMS alerts that allow followers around the world to stay connected to the race.

Finally, the hosts discuss the newly announced IditaHealth: Smiles for Miles program, a pediatric dental initiative that will bring preventative oral health care and education to children in rural checkpoint communities along the Iditarod Trail. The program highlights how the race continues to support Alaska’s trail communities beyond the competition itself.

Listeners will also hear about new features coming to this year’s Mushing Podcast coverage, including nightly race recaps, historical insights, rulebook discussions, and fan interaction throughout the race.

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

The countdown to the 2026 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race has begun, and the Burled Arch podcast returns for another season of nightly race coverage.

In this kickoff episode, hosts Robert and Michele Forto break down everything fans need to know before the ceremonial start. Broadcasting from Willow, Alaska, just miles from the official restart, the show dives into the field of 37 mushers, including defending champion Jessie Holmes, former champions Ryan Redington and Pete Kaiser, and a strong group of rookies entering the race.

The episode also explores a unique storyline this year: the introduction of expedition mushers, participants who travel the trail outside traditional competition while supporting charitable initiatives and contributing to the race purse.

You’ll also learn about the race format, checkpoints, trail conditions, nightly podcast coverage, listener participation, and new features for this year’s show as the team prepares to follow every mile of the nearly 1,000-mile journey to Nome.

If you want a front-row seat to the Last Great Race on Earth, this is where the trail begins.

In this episode:

1. Introduction to the 2026 Iditarod coverage on the Burled Arch
2. Race overview: 37 mushers, 14 rookies, and 3 past champions
3. Defending champion Jessie Holmes returns to defend his title
4. Late race entry by Pete Kaiser
5. Spotlight on promising rookie mushers
6. New expedition musher category and what it means for the race
7. Trail conditions across Alaska, including heavy snow on parts of the route
8. Details about the Iditarod banquet and ceremonial start
9. How listeners can participate with questions, voice messages, and trivia
10. What to expect from nightly race coverage through the finishers banquet

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, host Michele Forto shares a summary of the 2026 State of Mushing Letter from Robert Forto and the team at Mushing Magazine and the Team and Trail Foundation.

Each year during Iditarod season, this letter reflects on the direction of dog-powered sports and the evolving role of the media that documents it. This year’s message centers on a powerful idea: differentiation.

While many publications are shrinking or shifting entirely online, Mushing Magazine has chosen a different path by deepening its commitment to serious storytelling, field reporting, and preserving the history of the sport.

In this episode, Michele discusses:

1. Why print media still matters in the world of mushing
2. The transition of Mushing Magazine into the Team and Trail Foundation
3. How the sport is adapting to environmental change and shorter snow seasons
4. The rise of dryland disciplines like canicross and bikejoring
5. Why authentic storytelling still requires human journalists and photographers

The State of Mushing letter is both a reflection on the sport’s past and a roadmap for its future, grounded in leadership, endurance, and the traditions that make dog-powered sports unique.

If you care about sled dogs, racing, outdoor leadership, and the culture surrounding mushing, this episode offers an important perspective on where the sport is heading next.

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

In this special series opener, Robert Forto sits down with Iditarod veteran Rod Perry to tell the real story behind the 1973 race. Rod ran in the inaugural Iditarod and shares firsthand insight into the meetings, the skepticism, and the last-minute efforts that made the race possible.

You’ll hear how Joe Redington Sr., Tom Johnson, and others and why they pushed when others walked away, why 1973 was the only year the race could have worked, and how the U.S. Army played a critical role in putting in the original trail.

Rod also breaks down the true history of the Iditarod Trail itself, explaining how multiple historic routes combine to form today’s race.

If you care about Iditarod history, sled dog racing, and the roots of modern mushing, this episode sets the foundation.

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

Keywords: First Iditarod, 1973 Iditarod, Iditarod history, Joe Redington, Alaska sled dog racing, Dog mushing podcast, Long-distance mushing, Iditarod Trail, Anchorage Alaska, Sled dog race origins, Rod Perry, Anchorage Mushing District, Mushing Magazine, Robert Forto

In this episode of The Dog Driver, Robert Forto and KP welcome back Daniel Bocock, a veteran competitor with extensive experience at the highest levels of dog-powered sports. Daniel reflects on his return to the podcast and shares insights from racing six-dog and four-dog teams at the IFSS World Championships in Spain and Wisconsin.

The conversation covers Daniel’s progression from canicross to elite team racing, working with Eurohounds, Greysters, and Siberian Huskies, and managing a mixed kennel with his partner Anna Marman. Daniel also breaks down the realities of international racing, including airline logistics, customs challenges, equipment transport, and the cost of taking a six-dog team overseas.

This episode offers a candid, experience-based look at what it takes to compete on the world stage in modern mushing.

The Mushing podcast is made possible by Mushing+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at mushing.com/mushingplus

Our fans would love to learn more about you. Fill out our Musher Q & A here

Do you have a story idea or a pitch for a podcast? Check it out here

Trail Bytes 2025

Support our Work

Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends!

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, host Robert Forto sits down with veteran musher Bridgett Watkins to talk about her powerful new documentary, Without Warning, now streaming on Amazon and other platforms.

Bridget shares the full story behind the film, including a violent moose attack on her dog team, the emotional and physical toll of her first Iditarod attempt, and the mental battle of returning to the trail after being forced to scratch. She opens up about the unbreakable bond between musher and dog team, the unseen role of family and support crews watching trackers from home, and how the mushing community shows up when it matters most.

This episode goes far beyond race results. It’s about survival, leadership, trust, and knowing when to push forward and when to prioritize life. Whether you’re a longtime fan of sled dog racing or new to the sport, this conversation offers rare insight into the realities of long-distance mushing in Alaska.

The Mushing podcast is made possible by Mushing+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at mushing.com/mushingplus

Our fans would love to learn more about you. Fill out our Musher Q & A here

Do you have a story idea or a podcast pitch? Check it out here

Trail Bytes 2025

Support our Work

Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends!

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© 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved