The Iditarod Trail Invitational is a 350 mile race across frozen Alaska, following the same route as the famous dog-sled race. Each year, a week before the mushers hit the trail, 50 athletes from around the world gather just outside Anchorage to begin a journey on foot, on bike or on ski across the Alaskan Range to the village of McGrath.

This winter ultrasport event has been know to confront racers with temperatures as low as -40F, meter-deep snowfall and brutal winds. It is not uncommon for nearly half of the particpants to fail to complete the journey. There are seven required checkpoints, all of which must be visited within the 10-day time limit.

Bill and Kathi Merchant, owners of AlaskaUltrasport.com, are the current stewards of this amazing race. To learn more, visit their site or follow some of the links below. Vanessa and I had the chance to spend a week with Bill and Kathi over the holidays this year - up in Alaska training for this race. I can't express enough how wonderful Bill and Kathi are. If you want the experience of a lifetime you should consider joining them on one of their unique guided adventures.

The Iditarod Trail Invitational was featured in the New York Times.