2nd and 3rd graders go “sled to sled” at 19th annual Ikidarod race

DULUTH, Minn.– Over the course of a month, 2nd and 3rd graders at North Shore Community school have been training their brains for all things sled dog.

The students spent Friday outdoors to have one final test, on their very own “Ikidarod”

“As you can as you did see, we did a sled dog race, and the kids were like, running around and barking a lot,” said Ilana, a 2nd grader.

“They learn all about the different positions in a sled dog team that we see going past here, as well as being a musher and all the care that entails,” said Chloe Rallo, a 2nd grade teacher.

And now, Friday was the ultimate exam they went sled to sled, with fellow mushers, or what 2nd grader Ilana said, her besties cheering her on.

“It makes me happy that they think that we can do it,” said Ilana.

That camaraderie, is what 2nd grade teacher Chloe Rollo said, could be their biggest lesson.

But on the trail, they had plenty of teaching moments.

“We have six checkpoints total, and at each checkpoint they have a little activity,” said Rollo. “They are finding animals out on the trail. We have a seek and find, and then some questions, a quiz where they have to give us some answers about Iditarod bear grease and just overall trail etiquette.”

And that atmosphere, had Ilana hoping for next year.

“I hope I get to be in the same class next year, because then I might get to do it again,” beamed Ilana.