What are some rules for the Iditarod race?

Question

What are some rules for the Iditarod race?

Answer 1

there are many rules reguarding what the mushers keep in the sleds. things such as a shovel with specific handle requirements, an ax with a certian poundage weigt for the head, 2 pounds of food per dog, 4 pair of booties for each dog, a way to safely strap a dog into the sled......things like that are in the rules. also, you have to stop at the checkpoints, but you don't have to stay once they check you in. The mushers and vets now have to sign off on the dog health reports. you can have a minimum of 6 dogs now, uped from 5 last year with the max being 16. the weight of the drop packages has decreased from 70 lb to 60 for ease of loading and distributing at the different checkpoints. one musher may not assist another unless it is an emergency situation. there are also rules on passing other sleds such as you follow for a period of time then  the lead sled must give way and must follow for a certian predetermined time before you can re-pass the sled ahead. go to the iditarod site or the cabelas site for a complete list. its quite interesting.

Answer 2

Complete Rule Listing:

http://www.iditarod.com/pdfs/2008/2008Ru...

Answer 3

Compulsory rest stops.  Some gates you have to go through, and regular veterinary inspections of the dogs are about it, I think.