The object of the race is to determine which musher and dogs can cover the race in the shortest time under their own power and without aid of others. That is determined by the nose of the first dog to cross the finish line. To that end, the Iditarod Trail Committee has established the following rules and policies to govern the race. A musher must personally sign in at each checkpoint before continuing, except at the Wasilla restart. A musher must personally sign in and out to start and complete all mandatory stops.
Time begins upon notification.
The ITC will give each musher the required time information prior to leaving the starting line. The musher must wear the bib in a visible fashion from Safety Checkpoint to Nome. The winner shall continue to wear the bib through the lead dog ceremony. All promotional material, except the bib, must be returned to the ITC at the finish line, or in the case of mushers who scratch, to the checker accepting the musher's scratch form. The sled or toboggan must be capable of hauling any injured or fatigued dogs under cover, plus equipment and food.