2025 Iditarod to Run From Fairbanks to Nome

FAIRBANKS, Alaska, Feb. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2025 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, also known as "The Last Great Race," is now scheduled to run from Fairbanks to Nome, moving it closer to its original historic route. March 3, 2025, marks the fourth time in history that the Iditarod will restart in Fairbanks. The Iditarod Trail Committee made the announcement on February 17, 2025, after conditions on some portions of the trail south of Fairbanks were deemed unpassable. Located in the center of Alaska, the Fairbanks region with a population just under 100,000, is well equipped for hosting the renowned Iditarod. Pike's Waterfront Lodge on the Chena River will serve as the headquarters and location for the restart.

Dog mushing, Alaska's official state sport, has proven a reliable form of transportation for hundreds of years. This is shown by "The Serum Run" of 1925 where heroic dogs and mushers became life savers in an incredible race against time. The Iditarod was inspired by this legendary journey that began just south of Fairbanks in the town of Nenana and ended 674 miles later in the small city of Nome which was facing a diphtheria outbreak. A 20-pound cylinder of diphtheria serum traveled via the Alaska Railroad from Seward to Nenana, and it was there that the serum began its grueling trip to Nome with the help of 20 mushers and more than 100 dogs. This epic run was accomplished in only five days when Gunnar Kaasen and his lead dog Balto arrived in Nome on February 2, 1925.

The Iditarod will bring an added boost of energy and excitement to Fairbanks' already event-filled March. With mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine, this time of year has one-of-a-kind events like the World Ice Art Championships where more than 50 international ice sculptors turn enormous blocks of ice into works of art. Travelers journey to the Fairbanks area from all over the world from August 21 through April 21, also known as the Aurora Season. Located under the Auroral Oval, Fairbanks offers a balance of clear nights and occurrence frequency and activity resulting in an increased likelihood of seeing the dynamic lights.

In addition to outdoor fun, there are plenty of museums, art galleries and creative performances to enjoy. Be sure to make the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center your first stop in Fairbanks where can find information on things to do during your stay.

To learn more about the Iditarod, visit www.iditarod.com. For more information on Fairbanks, request a free copy of the Fairbanks Visitors Guide and Winter Guide by calling 1-800-327-5774 or (907) 456-5774. Order or view the guides online, get information about the aurora borealis and see a robust schedule of winter events and activities online at www.explorefairbanks.com.

About Explore Fairbanks
Explore Fairbanks is a non-profit marketing and management organization whose mission is to be an economic driver in the Fairbanks region by marketing to potential visitors, optimizing the visitor experience, and advocating for a thriving year-round visitor industry. Explore Fairbanks markets Fairbanks as a year-round destination by promoting local events, attractions and activities to independent travelers, group tour operators, travel agents, meeting planners and the media as well as by developing public policy and infrastructure to achieve marketing objectives. Find out more at explorefairbanks.com.

SOURCE Explore Fairbanks