Brief Report
Injury and illness sustained by human competitors in the 2010 Iditarod Sled Dog Race

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2014.02.018Get rights and content

Abstract

Objective

Alaska's 1049-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is the world's longest sled dog race and the flagship event in the sport of sled dog racing. Race conditions are typically harsh. Physicians are not officially enlisted to care for human competitors. Instead, medical needs are met through an informal system of volunteers, local health care providers, and a fleet of bush planes. The goals of this study were to identify the types of human injury and illness experienced and the methods by which these conditions are treated.

Methods

Competitors in the 2010 Iditarod were surveyed at the halfway point and at the finish of the race. Survey elements included specific types and frequencies of injuries and illnesses, and the sources and types of treatments.

Results

Seventy-one teams entered the race, 62 participated in the halfway point survey, and 55 completed the finish line survey. Ninety-nine injuries were reported by 42 (68%) of the survey respondents. Frostbite was the most common injury, occurring in 20 (31%) of the respondents. Musculoskeletal pain was also commonly reported. Two mushers sustained closed head injuries, with 1 requiring evacuation. Twenty-three mushers (37%) reported an acute nontraumatic condition, most frequently an upper respiratory infection (9 respondents). In most instances, medical conditions were self-managed. Race veterinarians and support staff, as well as local village clinicians, administered the majority of care, typically wound care or oral antibiotic administration.

Conclusions

Most injuries and illnesses sustained by mushers in the Iditarod are minor and self-treatable. Life-threatening conditions are rare, and the need for an organized medical care system seems low.

Introduction

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is an extreme, cold weather endurance contest. This annual event typically draws a field of between 70 and 95 teams consisting of a human “musher” and 16 sled dogs. Teams race around the clock, stopping for brief rest breaks and meals every 6 to 10 hours plus 1 longer, 24-hour break at 1 of the 21 checkpoints along the trail. Each checkpoint is staffed with race officials as well as a team of veterinarians. No assistance is provided to these teams during the competition, unless an unexpected and potentially serious event develops. Teams may spend 2 weeks on the trail before finishing.

Veterinary research has been conducted on the canine athletes that compete in this race, but considerably less research has been published on the human competitors despite this event offering an excellent opportunity to study the effects of extreme climates on endurance athletes. Published studies on human competitors in this annual event have primarily focused on the functional traits of mushers, especially the stressful effects of sleep deprivation, physical exertion, and cold exposure on behavior, metabolism, body mass, and hormonal physiology [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]. Although anecdotal reports suggest that physical injuries and illness do indeed occur during the Iditarod race, we could identify no systematic published data specifically addressing this issue. Our investigation is meant to serve this purpose and identify the sources of treatment used.

The primary objective of this study was to contemporaneously survey the mushers competing in the 2010 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, both at the midpoint and at the completion of the event, to determine the frequency, nature, and severity of the injuries and illnesses sustained. In addition, we were interested in identifying the sources of medical care used by the competitors when needed. Finally, we were interested in examining in detail any emergent medical evacuations or search-and-rescue operations activated during this race, with focus on the equipment and personnel involved and the specific circumstances surrounding these operations.

Section snippets

Methods

To determine the scope and frequency of injury and illness encountered by Iditarod mushers, competitors were asked to voluntarily respond to a survey. Identical surveys were administered during the race at the halfway point as well as after the race at the finish line in Nome. This was done to improve data accuracy given the length of the event. The survey was administered by 2 emergency physicians who are both veteran Iditarod competitors. Institutional review board exemption was awarded by

Results

Seventy-one competitors entered the race, and 55 (77%) reached the finish line. Overall, at least 1 survey (halfway point or finish line) was completed by 62 (87%) of the 71 competitors. Of the 55 finishers, 45 (82%) completed both halfway and finish line surveys. An additional 4 finishers completed the survey at the finish line only, yielding an overall response rate of 49 (89%) of 55 finishers. All survey respondents, whether they finished the race or not, are included in the data provided.

Discussion

Alaska's 1049-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is the world's longest sled dog race and the flagship event in the sport of sled dog racing. The course originates near Anchorage, crosses the Alaska Mountain Range, traverses the desolate interior of the state, and then follows the Yukon River before crossing a smaller mountain range and following the Bering Sea coast to Nome (Fig. 3). Conditions are variable but can be severe, with temperatures reaching lows of − 51°C and wind speeds recorded in

Conclusion

Our investigation adds to the collective understanding of the frequency and types of injuries and illnesses that can be predicted to occur during extreme, cold weather endurance events. This type of information will potentially allow participants to better prepare for, and possibly prevent, injury and illness during the competition. Race organizers and medical providers can use these observations to more effectively implement the type of medical supplies, services, and rescue resources that

References (9)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (8)

View all citing articles on Scopus

The authors have no commercial associations or sources of support that might pose a conflict of interest. This study did not receive external funding. All authors have made substantive contributions to the study, and all authors endorse the data and conclusions. Reprints are not available from the authors.

View full text