ANCHORAGE (AP) — Organizers of Alaska’s famed Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race have renewed a deal with the Sportsman Channel, continuing a national television presence for the nearly 1,000-mile trek across rugged and sometimes unforgiving terrain.
With the agreement announced Wednesday, the network maintains its status as the official network of the race from Anchorage to the old gold rush town of Nome on Alaska’s wind-scoured western coast. The original partnership began weeks before this year’s race took place in March, culminating with musher Dallas Seavey running a blistering pace to rally from third place and win his second Iditarod in a record-breaking finish.
“We couldn’t be happier about this event,” Sportsman Channel spokesman Tom Caraccioli said. “We see this as an iconic American, Alaskan celebration, and it’s something that people know about. But we want people to really be able to see this and embrace it for the true rugged event that it is.”

As with the 2014 Iditarod, the network won’t document the race live in 2015. Hours of programming will air later, detailing stories of mushers, dogs, race history, the wilderness trail and the intense competition that marks each race.

Musher standings will be updated on the network’s website during the race. The Iditarod Trail Committee also provides video footage along the trail for fans who subscribe to its “Iditarod Insider” online service.