R 051929Z MAR 10 

ALCOAST 106/10
COMDTNOTE 1140
SUBJ: 2010 IDITAROD SPONSORSHIP
1. I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE COAST GUARD, THROUGH AN
INITIATIVE OF THE RECRUITING COMMAND AND MSU VALDEZ, IS SPONSORING
IDITAROD SLED DOG RACE VETERAN KEN ANDERSON DURING THE 2010
IDITAROD RACE BEGINNING MARCH 6, 2010.  MR. ANDERSON, A FAIRBANKS
ALASKA RESIDENT AND NINE TIME IDITAROD VETERAN, HAS FINISHED THE
RACE IN THE TOP FIVE ON TWO OCCASIONS.  HIS BEST FINISH WAS IN
2008, WHEN HE PLACED FOURTH OUT OF 97 PARTICIPANTS.
2. THE IDITAROD RACE WILL BEGIN IN ANCHORAGE, AK AND EXTENDS 1150
MILES THROUGH SOME OF ALASKA'S MOST TREACHEROUS TERRAIN AND
HARSHEST WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE RACE FINISHES IN NOME, AK AND
TAKES 10-17 DAYS TO COMPLETE. THIS RACE HAS BEEN CALLED THE LAST
GREAT RACE ON EARTH AND HAS WON WORLDWIDE ACCLAIM AND INTEREST.
3. THIS INITIATIVE HONORS THIS CHALLENGING EVENT AND THE COAST
GUARDS PROUD HISTORY IN ALASKA. IN PARTICULAR, IT PAYS HOMAGE TO
THE 1871 OVERLAND EXPEDITION, WHERE TEAMS OF COAST GUARD RESCUERS
DROVE DOG SLEDS MORE THAN A THOUSAND MILES THROUGH THE ALASKAN
WINTER TO SAVE THE CREWS OF STRANDED WHALING SHIPS.
4. ON BEHALF OF THE COAST GUARD, MR. ANDERSON HAS BEGUN A SCHOOL
VISITATION PROGRAM WHERE HE SPEAKS ABOUT HIS MUSHING AND RACE
EXPERIENCES AND THE COAST GUARD'S CORE VALUES, PROGRAMS AND
HISTORY. IN JANUARY, MR. ANDERSON WAS PROVIDED AN INFORMATIONAL
TOUR OF USCGC LONG ISLAND, AND THE SMALL BOAT STATION AND MSU IN
VALDEZ.  IN PREPARATION FOR THE 2010 IDITAROD, MR. ANDERSON
RECENTLY COMPLETED THE 1000 MILE YUKON QUEST INTERNATIONAL DOG SLED
RACE, FINISHING IN 5TH PLACE.
5. MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ABOUT MR. ANDERSON AND HIS DOG
SLED TEAM AT WINDYCREEKKENNEL.COM, AND YOU CAN FOLLOW HIS PROGRESS
IN THE 2010 IDITAROD RACE AT IDITAROD.COM AND ON THE COAST GUARD
COMPASS AT COASTGUARD.DODLIVE.MIL.
6. REAR ADMIRAL SCHULTZ, DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENTAL AND PUBLIC
AFFAIRS SENDS.
7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.