When mushers from around the globe set off for the annual Iditarod dogsled race in Anchorage on Saturday, March 2, they were accompanied by Anne Phinney and her fifth grade students at the Town of Webb School.
While the students did not travel to Alaska for the iconic race, they did participate vicariously by staying in daily contact with Old Forge resident Mike Mitchell who is following the race by snowmobile.
Mitchell has previously followed the 1,100 mile race trail by plane and snowmobile, but this year he intended to cover its full length solely by snowmobile.
This is the third year Phinney has incorporated the Iditarod into her history class curriculum on the subject of Alaska. Each of the students chooses a favorite musher who they track throughout the race.
Mitchell has been providing on-site updates to the students and sending photos on a regular basis to help the students relate to the dogsled action.
Upon his return from the Iditarod, Mitchell will offer a presentation to the students on his experience and will distribute souvenirs, such as dog booties, that he collected from along the trail.
Though Mitch Seavey of Seward, AK was the first to cross the finish line on Tuesday, March 12, the students will continue to keep an eye on the racers until the race ends. A celebratory banquet will be held on Sunday, March 17.
Seavey, whose time was nine days, seven hours, 39 minutes and 56 seconds, also won the Iditarod title in 2004.
At age 53, he is the oldest winner. His son Dallas, winner of the 2012 Iditarod, was the youngest winner at the age of 25.
