Dog dash through Alaska

Dog dash through Alaska

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Richie Diehl is offered a drink as he heads out into the wilderness at the beginning of the annual Iditarod dog sled race in Alaska.

He may well need the extra refreshment on his long journey. The race covers almost 1000 miles across the snowy state, from Anchorage in the south to Nome in the west.

. ANCHORAGE, United States. REUTERS/Nathaniel Wilder

Every year the race kicks off with a ceremonial start in Anchorage, where fans can bid money to ride on the sleds and dogs like these can show off their skills.

The competition then gets going in earnest the following day, when drivers, known as mushers, set off from Willow and race towards the finish line in Nome.

Iditarod harks back to a time when dog sleds were widely used for winter travel in Alaska, necessary for everything from transporting goods to delivering the mail.

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A team of dogs wearing red booties wait before the ceremonial start of the Iditarod race in Anchorage.
. ANCHORAGE, United States. REUTERS/Nathaniel Wilder

A team of dogs wearing red booties wait before the ceremonial start of the Iditarod race in Anchorage.

A dog from Scott Janssen's team rolls in the snow before the race gets going from Willow.
. WILLOW, United States. REUTERS/Nathaniel Wilder

A dog from Scott Janssen's team rolls in the snow before the race gets going from Willow.

Sonny Lindner's team runs down Cordova Street in Anchorage as others ride on his sled.
. ANCHORAGE, United States. REUTERS/Nathaniel Wilder

Sonny Lindner's team runs down Cordova Street in Anchorage as others ride on his sled.

Louie Ambrose's team charges down the trail in Willow.
. WILLOW, United States. REUTERS/Nathaniel Wilder

Louie Ambrose's team charges down the trail in Willow.

Cim Smyth's team sets off.
. WILLOW, United States. REUTERS/Nathaniel Wilder

Cim Smyth's team sets off.

The dogs' tongues fly as Louie Ambrose's team runs down the trail.
. WILLOW, United States. REUTERS/Nathaniel Wilder

The dogs' tongues fly as Louie Ambrose's team runs down the trail.

A dog leaps in the air before the ceremonial start of the race.
. ANCHORAGE, United States. REUTERS/Nathaniel Wilder

A dog leaps in the air before the ceremonial start of the race.

The crowd of spectators watch as Peter Kaiser's team sets off.
. WILLOW, United States. REUTERS/Nathaniel Wilder

The crowd of spectators watch as Peter Kaiser's team sets off.

Musher Matt Failor holds out his arms to greet spectators as he races down 4th Avenue in Anchorage.
. ANCHORAGE, United States. REUTERS/Nathaniel Wilder

Musher Matt Failor holds out his arms to greet spectators as he races down 4th Avenue in Anchorage.

Cim Smyth's team of dogs runs down the same road.
. ANCHORAGE, United States. REUTERS/Nathaniel Wilder

Cim Smyth's team of dogs runs down the same road.

Musher Kristy Berington greets fans as she heads out of the gate in Willow. Berington has a twin who is also racing a team in the Iditarod this year.
. WILLOW, United States. REUTERS/Nathaniel Wilder

Musher Kristy Berington greets fans as she heads out of the gate in Willow. Berington has a twin who is also racing a team in the Iditarod this year.