The Last Great Race

The dogs and drivers (mushers) line up for the start of the race. You can feel the excitement in the air. The dogs paw the ground anxious to be off, while the mushers make last-minute preparations for the long trek ahead. The onlookers cheer and encourage them. This sled race is known internationally to be one of the longest and toughest sled races in the world. It’s the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska, USA. It has become very popular over the years with over 65 teams taking part from Alaska as well many other countries.

The Mushers

The musher is the person who drives the sled and guides the dogs. Each musher must decide how many miles to run every day, what to eat on the trail and the best places to stop and rest. A good musher has to be disciplined and really want to win this race.

The Dogs

The perfect sled dog is the Alaskan Husky with its thick fur and strong legs. Each dog must be healthy, so vets examine them carefully before the race begins. These dogs were originally used to transport goods and mail all over Alaska. However, when people started using snowmobiles, travelling by sled became less popular. This traditional form of transport seemed to be dying out until the Iditarod Race was started in 1973.

The Route

The race goes from Anchorage to Nome on the west coast. It passes through more than twenty towns on its way there. The route is extremely challenging, crossing icy rivers and lakes, mountains and valleys. It varies slightly, depending on the year. In odd-numbered years the route goes south after Ophir to include the village of Iditarod, while in even-numbered years it goes north through Ruby and Galena.

Do you love a challenge? Can you cope with bad weather conditions? Can you travel over snow and ice for many hours? Do you like dogs? If you answered yes to these questions, then this race is for you! Get your snow boots on and head for Alaska!
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TRUE OR FALSE:
1. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is famous all over the world.
2. Only people from Alaska may enter the race.
3. The rules say how far each sled should run every day.
4. Mushers must have determination and be well-organized.
5. Dog sleds are still more popular than snowmobiles in Alaska.
6. The race has saved a part of the traditional way of life in Alaska.
7. The race follows the same route every year.
8. The race is named after a village in the area

пожалуйста!Много баллов даю.​