In the gold rush era, many settlers came to the coastal town of Seward (near Anchorage) and then traveled to the gold fields near Nome, passing through the town of Iditarod. They used the trail which is now called the Iditarod National Historic Trail. The Iditarod trail is used for the annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Another trail that runs from Nome to Nenana (a town near Fairbanks) has historic significance. It was used in the "Serum Run" in 1925 – a race to bring medicine from Nenana to Nome.

• The Iditarod race started in 1973.
• It is about 1160 miles long.
• More than 400 people have finished this race.
• Winners take 9 to 12 days to complete the race.