Tools for this page
Print

Toughest Race on Earth: Iditarod

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version
    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Mushers, dogs go up against nature; viewers win.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The Iditarod mushers are highly competitive and push themselves and their dogs to win, but there's very little unsportsmanlike behavior or cheating. In fact, there's plenty of camaraderie between the racers, and they often note that in the very harsh climate of Alaska, where even a small mistake can have fatal consequences, there's a strong ethos of looking out for one another. The mushers are also devoted to their dogs and often discuss how much they rely on these very impressive creatures. The majority of the featured mushers are men, but at least one woman participates.

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Some dogsleds overturn during the race, but there's not much damage to the sleds, mushers, or dogs.

  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Some choice words escape during the heat of competition, including "s--t" and "f--k," though they're few and far between (and bleeped when they do occur).

  • Consumerism:

    The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race has many sponsors whose names and logos are frequently visible, including Wells Fargo and Cabelas.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    One musher is a diabetic and discusses his need for insulin.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Toughest Race on Earth: Iditarod was written by Will Wade

Parents need to know that the title of this reality series is no understatement. The annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is one of the sporting world's most challenging adventures, and the men and women who sign on are a fascinating, diverse bunch united by a shared love for their dogs and a willingness to push themselves far beyond the normal limits of human endurance. There's some (generally bleeped) swearing, and the race's corporate sponsors' logos get a good bit of airtime, but in this competition, there's little time for sleep, much less romance or drinking.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about competition and cooperation. The mushers are all pushing hard to complete the grueling race, but they also frequently mention how they watch out for one another. Would you do the same? Where do you draw the line between cooperation and competition? Would that line move one way or another if the prize was bigger -- or smaller? How does this behavior compare to fictional cross-country races in movies or on TV?
Did this review help you decide?

Will your kids tune in?

Have you seen it? Review It!

More on Toughest Race on Earth: Iditarod

What’s the Story?

There must be easier ways to get from Anchorage to Nome than via dog sled, but as TOUGHEST RACE ON EARTH: IDITAROD makes clear, none are more exciting. This exhilarating, entertaining reality show about the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race follows several competitors in the grueling 1,150-mile wintertime slog through the wilds of Alaska. The annual competition recreates a famous race against time in the winter of 1925, when a diphtheria epidemic in Nome was curbed after a Pony Express-style relay of sled dog teams rushed needed medicine across the snow and ice in six days. Today, the Iditarod is one of the biggest events in Alaska (and one of the most challenging events in sports); in March 2008, when this series was filmed, 96 mushers set out from Anchorage, pulled by more than 1,500 dogs. Only 78 finished.
Close

Is It Any Good?

Watching this show is simply thrilling. There are few sporting events that show people pitting themselves so completely against each other, against the elements, against just about everything -- just completing this race is an amazing accomplishment. The fastest finish ever was just shy of nine days, and the slowest finisher in history took almost 33 days to cross the line. Plus, the amazing dogs are plenty of fun to watch in action, and the relationship between the mushers and their dogs is touching.

Some of the mushers are clearly in it to win; but many others are just trying to see if they have what it takes to survive the journey. It's rare to see such an unvarnished glimpse of people pushing the limits of human endurance and will power.
Close

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

our community policy
What did you think about Toughest Race on Earth: Iditarod?

or

to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

    More Great Stuff for Your Kids

    • Most Popular This Week

      Percy Jackson Fever

      Percy Jackson Fever

      Read the book before you see the movie!

    • Tech Tip

      Learn the basics with our latest video.How to Text

      Learn the basics with our latest video.

    • Must-See TV

      Age 13+
      Parenthood

      Parenthood

      Quality drama charts the pros, cons of family togetherness.

    • Pick of the Week

      Sites for Haiti

      Sites for Haiti

      Help kids get involved.

    • Download This

      Age 10+
      "Today Was a Fairytale" (CD single)

      "Today Was a Fairytale" (CD single)

      Innocent love song for tweens from a PG-13 movie soundtrack.

    Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
    • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
    • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
    • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
    This will never be displayed to others.
    Your email will never be displayed to others.
    Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
    A screen name protects your privacy
    (It's free!)

    Already a member? Log in
    Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
    See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
    To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
    Set-up your account
    This will never be displayed to others.
    Your email will never be displayed to others.
    Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
    Choose a screen name
    It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
    A screen name protects your privacy
    Tell us your children's ages
    You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
    We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
    		is
    		until
    		(optional)
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    Add another child

    Already a member? Log in
    Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
    See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
    We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
    Set-up your account
    This will never be displayed to others.
    Your email will never be displayed to others.
    Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
    Tell us your children's ages
    You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
    Why we ask for this
    We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    Add another child
    Choose a screen name
    It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
    A screen name protects your privacy
    Already a member? Log in
    Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
    See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
    Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
    I'm already a Common Sense member.
    Kids under 13 must use a screen name
    Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
    See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.