Veterinarian recounts 'toughest race on earth'

The thundering din of sled dogs racing across the frozen tundra echoed through Three Creeks Brewing Co. last Monday as OSU professor and veterinarian, Dr. Erica McKenzie, delivered a stimulating presentation on "The Toughest Race on Earth - The Science Behind The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race."

A collaboration between OSU Cascades campus and the OSU Alumni Association, the "Science Pub" educational series is meant to take science out of the lab and into your local saloon and eatery in a relaxed, casual environment.

McKenzie originally hails from Western Australia and completed her Ph.D. in Equine Muscle Disease at the University of Minnesota in 2003. Her postdoctoral fellowship was done at an animal performance lab in Stillwater, Oklahoma, a town that, McKenzie joked, "has very limited choices for social activities."

It was there, however, that she pursued sled dog research as part of a $1 million research grant from the military to study the effects of long-distance exercise and its effects on their systems for the benefits of humans. McKenzie was there in Alaska for three Iditarod races from 2006-2008 and shared her stories, photos and experiences with a packed house.

The legendary race from Anchorage to Nome was first run in 1973, after two short races on part of the Iditarod Trail in 1967 and 1969. The idea was conceived by the late Dorothy G. Page and co-founded by famous musher Joe Redington.

In 1964, Page was chairman of the Wasilla-Knik Centennial and was working on projects to celebrate Alaska's 1967 Centennial Year. She was intrigued that dog teams could travel over land that was not accessible by automobile.

In the early 1920s, settlers had come to Alaska following a gold strike. The trail out into the gold fields is today known as The Iditarod Trail, one of the National Historic Trails designated by Congress. Mail, food, and medicine was carried across this vital route by pioneers, priests and prospectors. The race is a tribute to the role these sledders played in the state's formation.

The 1,049-mile race has started in downtown Anchorage since 1983 on the first Saturday in March. From Anchorage, in south central Alaska, to Nome on the western Bering Sea coast, each team of 12 to 16 dogs and their musher cover the route in 10 to 17 days.

They race over some of the most beautiful terrain Mother Nature can offer, a challenging array of jagged mountain ranges, frozen rivers, dense forest, desolate tundra and miles of windswept coast with temperatures far below zero and winds that can easily cause complete whiteout. This year, mushers launched Sunday, March 7, after a restart delay to the cheers of thousands. Teams leave the start line at the corner of 4th and D at two minute intervals, starting at 10 a.m.

Up to 100 teams a year compete for a host of prizes including money and special awards. The race is heavily dependent on volunteers and corporate sponsorship by blue-chip icons such as Chrysler, Coca-Cola and Chevron.

The most common dog used is a mixed breed between the faster, prettier Alaskan husky and the heavier, stronger malamutes who are capable of pulling over 500 kilograms. Dogs range in size from 28 to as much as 65 pounds and eat a daily diet of 6,000-8,000 calories.

"Dogs are carefully chosen for their intelligence and motivation," McKenzie explained. "They run because they want to run, and need to love their job. The training is intense.

"These incredible athletes can run 150 miles a day at 8-12 miles per hour. Their aerobic ability is amazing. It's high energy output paired with unusually efficient oxygen usage."

No musher under 18 is allowed and they must have completed 500 miles in qualifying races. They must not have any animal abuse convictions and must perform all dog care by themselves.

No night vision goggles or GPS devices are allowed, nor any painkillers or stimulants for the dogs. There are certain pieces of equipment each team must have; mandatory items include an arctic parka, sleeping bag, an ax, snowshoes, musher food, dog food, a cooker to boil three gallons of water and eight booties for each dog's feet to protect against cutting ice.

A veterinarian's notebook is presented at each checkpoint. There are required rest periods every 24 hours and two eight-hour stops along the route.

McKenzie detailed the dogs' diet during the race.

"It's critical they eat properly on the trail. They get hunks of frozen meat and fish and kibble during the rest stops and checkpoints for their main meal. Sled dogs will not drink plain water and prefer it flavored with beef or fish broth."

Mushers must have at least six dogs in harness as they cross under the burled archway that signifies the finish. The winner is awarded $69,000 and a new truck.

McKenzie believes her research will pave the way for advances in endurance-based sports and human physiology and cherishes her time with the mushers and their beloved canine companions.