Juneau -- Honoring the achievements of the 14 to 17 year old dog mushers who run the 160-mile Jr. Iditarod this weekend, Representative Beverly Masek (R-Willow) will present a legislative citation to the organization at the race banquet on Sunday night, February 28.

"These young people work hard to prepare for the race. They're held to standards similar to the adult Iditarod mushers, and I know the kind of commitment that takes," said Masek, a four-time veteran of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race.

This will be the twenty-first running of the Jr. Iditarod. Rep. Masek introduced the citation to focus public attention on the origins of the race and its evolution.

"This race began as the dream of a group of teen-aged mushers and is now a highly regarded competitive event," said Masek. " The winners receive scholarships and other prizes and honors. I'm hopeful that the legislative citation will help express our appreciation for these young mushers."

This year's Jr. Iditarod will begin on Saturday, February 27. Racers follow the Iditarod Trail to the big bend in the Yentna River, about 80 miles from the start in Wasilla. After a mandatory 8 to 12 hour layover, mushers return over the same trail. The banquet will be held on Sunday night at the Best Western Lake Lucille Lodge in Wasilla.