While Natalie Kathan’s fellow students at South Colby Elementary School are studying the Iditarod in the classroom, she’ll be in Alaska March 1, riding in the ceremonial start of the legendary dog sled race.
Kathan, 11, is taking this trip of a lifetime thanks to her big sister Celena Kathan, 35, of Seattle who placed a winning bid of $1,500 on the IditaRider auction. Winners of the auction earn the chance to ride bundled up in the sleds of mushers who will be taking part in the grueling 1,100-mile race. The ceremonial race, which starts in Anchorage, is only 11 miles long, however.
Watch for Natalie’s posts on this blog around the start of the Iditarod, March 1 & 2.
Iditarod fever runs in the family thanks to South Colby teacher Bonnie Kimball, who has made the race an integral part of her curriculum since 1989. All of the Kathan clan, including brothers, Matt and Jake Kathan, now 26 and 23 respectively, have had Kimball.
The two sisters have been planning a trip to Alaska for the Iditarod for two years. But the IditaRider prize was a total surprise to Natalie.
While the sisters are in Alaska, Natalie will be the official Iditarod correspondent to Ms. Kimball’s class and Speaking of South Kitsap. She’ll report on the start of the real race, March 2, and on what it’s like to eat bison burgers in sub-zero weather.
Stay warm Natalie!
