Guest Author - Kimi Ross

The Iditarod Sled Dog Race is held every March. Starting in downtown Anchorage with much pomp and ceremony, the race then quickly moves to the wilds of Alaska, where trail conditions can be horrendous and Mother Nature is always a force to be reckoned with. Most observers do not get to see much of the race beyond the ceremonial start in Anchorage (or restart near Wasilla) the finish at Nome, or if they are among the die hard or well-heeled fans, through a specialized tour that flies them over sections of the trails and makes stops in some of the checkpoints.

The Discovery Channel’s “Iditarod: The Toughest Race on Earth” changed that. As an addition to the popular reality show broadcasts, this latest addition hopes to capture the ruggedness of the trail, the “character” of the mushers, and the unpredictability of a race that lasts over a week. According to the Anchorage Daily News, "We've all long been fascinated by the Iditarod, the toughness of it," said Jeff Conroy, one of the program's executive producers. "We always look for a show that brings you into a new world. But this ranks up there as one of the most difficult production settings ever -- a set that is spread out by 1,000 miles. It's really, really difficult."

In order to make the race a personal story, the producers chose seven mushers to follow on the trail. These included big name mushers and former champions – Dee Dee Jonrowe, Lance Mackey, Martin Buser, and Jeff King – as well as rookies and “back-of the packers” – Darrin Nelson (rookie), Rick Holt (rookie) and Bruce Linton (former Iditarod finisher with Type I diabetes). Each musher had two small cameras mounted on the handlebar of the sled, one directed toward the dogs and one directed up towards the musher. They also wore a wireless microphone to capture their thoughts along the trail. Interviews interspersed with race footage with mushers discussing strategy and the like provides a perspective that is often misunderstood or overlooked.

With a production crew of eighteen, including six cameramen, the producers sought to capture the beauty of the Alaska backcountry, the graceful athleticism of the dogs, and the Alaskan personalities of the mushers. If the first episode is any indication of what is to come, they did an excellent job. Interviews, trail footage (including some nice crashes), dog care at checkpoints, and on-the-scene reporting allow the viewer a more intimate glimpse at this annual event that is an integral part of Alaskan identity and culture.

The six-episode series premiered on Tuesday, October 14 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, with weekly installments premiering each Tuesday. After viewing the first episode, it appears that the producers have made an effort to provide viewers with a candid look at the race. Whether you are a fan or critic of the Iditarod, you’ll likely find something of interest in the series

Fans can order the 2-DVD set from the Discovery Channel website for $29.95.