Iditarod launches drug testing of mushers
RACHEL D’ORO | The Associated Press
ANCHORAGE – Every competitor now running the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race will be tested for alcohol and illegal drugs on the trail for the first time in the history of the 1,100-mile race — a change defending champion Lance Mackey believes is directed at him.
“I know for a fact,” said the three-time winner.
Mackey, who has been open about using medical marijuana on the trail, on Tuesday was among the early front-runners in the race, which began with 71 teams Sunday in Willow. Canada’s Sebastian Schnuelle was in the lead. He was followed by 2004 winner Mitch Seavey of Seward, then four-time champion Jeff King of Denali Park. Mackey was running 7th.
Race organizers aren’t saying when or where on the route the testing will occur, but they add that they aren’t excluding anyone driving the 16-dog teams in the race. A musher who tests positive could face disqualification, a period of ineligibility from future races or both.
“We’re going to test everybody,” said Stan Hooley, executive director of the Iditarod Trail Committee. “It’s not going to be random.”
Race rules have included a policy on drugs and alcohol since 1984, but it has never been implemented, although the sled dogs have been tested for performance enhancers since 1994. Race organizers say they decided to formalize the policy for testing mushers beginning this year at the request of the Iditarod Official Finishers Club. The service is being provided by a drug testing company that’s among the Iditarod sponsors.
Officials say the idea has been discussed for years. However, Hooley said it would be difficult to deny Mackey’s contentions that he is being singled out for his acknowledged pot use and that other mushers have complained about it.
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March 9th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
Lance Mackey is a cancer survivor and has contributed more to the sport of dog sledding than any one person but they are going to kick him out of the race if he tests positive for weed. Never mind that Mackey has a prescription for marijuana.
That is just nuts.
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March 9th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Seems like if they decide to implement this before the racers left it would be one thing. but implementing it after the race has begun seems like it might infringe on one’s civil liberties. i don’t think this story is over…
and hopefully the next article will be better written. the last sentence is a doozy. what have the other mushers complained about..is “it” the drug testing policy or is “it” mackey’s use on the trail??
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March 9th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
6 dogs died in last year’s race. An average of 2 dogs die each year in this race, literally driven to death by their uber-competitive owners. And when they aren’t mushing their dogs, their dogs are tied to a stake in the ground.
It’s one thing to race a pack of dogs 5 miles or so for the tourists, but 1100 miles is beyond cruel. Besides, the original Iditarod wasn’t a race, it was a relay.
This cruel tradition needs to die. It is a blemish on Alaska. We are better than this.
And the way some of you worship Lance Mackey you would think he is God. He’s an entertainer, nothing more.
And check out their website. You’ll be greeted by a video of none other than Sarah Palin giving her cutesy thumbs up and getting moist with excitement about the race. That says it all right there.
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