Nathan Schroeder to Race in 2016 Iditarod

Four time Beargrease champion Nathan Schroeder is competing in this weekend’s Iditarod race in Alaska. 

Schroeder earned Rookie of the Year at the Iditarod 24, and successfully finished the Iditarod 2015.  

The 38-year-old is a native of Warba, Minnesota.  He was introduced to mushing when he was 12-years-old and was given a ride at an elementary school.  

The Iditarod sled dog race is a 1,049 mile race starting in Anchorage, Alaska and ending in Nome, Alaska.  The average time to finish the race is about two weeks. 

The race starts Saturday, March 5 with a ceremonial run and officially kicks off on Sunday. 

The race and events will run through March 20. 

Fun facts about the Iditarod: 

-There are no road systems to Nome.  All supplies must be shipped by plane into these remote areas at roughly 80 cents per pound. Around 3,000 pounds of gear and supplies must be shipped. 

-The sled dogs consume up to 12,000 calories per day between Kibble and raw chicken, beef and fish.  

-Arctic racing gear (arctic rating clothing, sleeping bag, boots, long underwear, wool socks, etc.) cost around $1500. 

For more information on the race, and about Schroeder click here .

Schroeder said after last year’s race, he had to return to Alaska to compete again.