Teacher Amy Laymon was reading the book Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner about ten years ago in her third-grade class. They all became extremely interested in the sport of dog sled racing. Every year since then, studying the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race has become more than just a special event. Mrs. Laymon began to dream about attending the Alaskan race. Finally, this year her administrator helped make it possible for her to attend the special conference and watch the race begin in Anchorage.

The Iditarod is the largest dog sled race in Alaska and had 37 sled teams on March 7, 2026, traveling around a thousand miles from the official start in Willow to the finish line in Nome. There were approximately 26 checkpoints along the way with about 50 volunteer veterinarians helping ensure the dogs remained healthy throughout the race. The people in the villages along the trail become part of the excitement as well. There is even a special festival featuring reindeer races.

The dogs are loved and treated with care and respect. Most are Siberian or Alaskan Huskies. Before approval is given to race, the dogs undergo EKG testing and CBC blood work. Their temperature, pulse, and overall health are monitored at each checkpoint along the trail. The dogs even wear special booties to protect their paws from cuts and injuries.

Amy was able to attend the Musher Banquet during her visit. Unlike the dogs, there are no doctors assigned to care for the mushers. They are largely on their own throughout the race. Dog teams begin with a maximum of 16 dogs and must finish with at least five. This year, Jessie Holmes won the race for the second time.

Mrs. Laymon's students are involved as well. Isaac, one of her fifth-grade students at Grace Hill Elementary, earned runner-up honors based on his artwork in the Trail Mail competition. Letters from students are carried on the sleds and stamped along the route, creating a special connection between classrooms and the race.

The Iditarod officially began in 1973, but its roots run much deeper. In 1925, sled dog teams completed the famous “serum run,” delivering life-saving medicine to combat a diphtheria outbreak. Today, the race has become a major Alaskan event rich in culture, history, and heritage.

Mrs. Laymon's newest dream is to apply for the Teacher on the Trail program, which would allow her to spend about 30 days in Alaska following the race by bush plane or snowmobile. Her desire is to continue being part of the Iditarod experience and to bring those lessons back to her students.

Amy's journey to Alaska was the realization of a dream years in the making. Reflecting on her experience, she shared:

“Attending the Iditarod EDU Conference was a dream experience both professionally and personally. Being immersed in the culture, history, and traditions of Alaska while connecting with educators from across the United States renewed my enthusiasm for learning about and teaching the Iditarod. It was amazing to witness the determination, resilience, and teamwork demonstrated by the teams competing in the race, and it inspired me to bring those same values into my classroom and my own life.

The volunteers, from veterinarians to pilots and even the communications team, come from all over the world to help make this event possible. If I learned anything, it is that every person there was there for the dogs. They were the stars!

The whole experience broadened my perspective, strengthened my creativity, and reinforced the importance of providing meaningful, authentic learning opportunities for students. I will continue to bring this event into my classroom, and I hope to remain involved with the Iditarod as a volunteer in the future.”