The "Riddle" to Success

By Hailee W.

The memoir Race Across Alaska recounts the epic journey of 1985 Iditarod winner, Libby Riddles. Race Across Alaska is the story of twelve hundred miles, 18 freezing days, 15 amazing and heroic dogs and the first woman to ever win the Iditarod. This tale, told partly through facts about the Iditarod itself and partly by Riddles herself, was an amazing read for anyone who likes an adventure.


The Iditarod, the most famous sled dog race in America, takes place Alaska. The race begins at in Anchorage (central Alaska), and ends miles and miles of rough terrain west, in Nome (along the coast of the Bering Sea). Throughout the course, Riddles and her team faced obstacles such as -50 degree weather, powerful windy storms, broken sleds, and other entanglements (literally!). Considering the harrowing conditions, it is remarkable that Riddles managed to survive the Alaskan frontier.

However, Riddles cannot be the only member of her team that should be congratulated. The dog hander, Joe Garnie, was one of Riddles' greatest supporters in her story. It is the dogs, however, that should be praised for their efforts. Despite Riddles' qualms about some of her dogs, the fifteen sled dogs were the stars of Race Across Alaska, and rightfully so.

What started off as an extremely rough start (a washing machine in the middle of the trail, and her dogs getting tangled in trees), evolved into the breathtaking journey of an underdog. Despite some pitfalls throughout the race, Riddles and her team successfully navigated rivers, boulders and most importantly, an Alaskan storm. As the only musher that raced through the storm, Riddles was able to pass other sleds and pass the finish line two hours before another team.

Although Race Across Alaska is one of many memoirs about the Iditarod, Riddles' writing is easy to read, even without any prior knowledge. While some parts of her book dedicated to explanation of the race, it is easy to follow what the dogs-- and the people are going though. Regardless of some repetitiveness, Race Across Alaska was an amazing tale to read about.