Iditarod Trail Invitational 2026 — Extreme Winter Ultra-Adventure
The Iditarod Trail Invitational (ITI) is one of the most legendary human-powered endurance challenges on the planet — a winter ultra-marathon that follows the historic Iditarod Trail through Alaska’s vast backcountry on bicycle, skis, or on foot. This year’s edition begins just outside Anchorage and tests participants’ resilience, navigation skills, and self-sufficiency as they travel hundreds to over a thousand miles through rugged, unmarked terrain.
Important: This event is not a Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers (VMBaH) event — it’s an independent endurance challenge organized by the ITI team.
Sunday, February 22, 2026
2:00 PM Alaska Time (official start)
Knik Lake, Alaska — near Anchorage, AK (starting point for the Iditarod Trail route)
The ITI is billed as the world’s longest winter ultra-marathon, with routes ranging from 150 miles to 1000 miles along the historic Iditarod Trail. Participants must carry their own gear and be prepared for extreme winter conditions with nearly no external support.
The event is as much a test of endurance and navigation as it is of physical fitness, designed for experienced adventurers who thrive in remote, cold-weather wilderness.
The race route begins at Knik Lake, Alaska, just north of Anchorage, and follows the historic trail west into the Alaska interior.
Register or apply here: https://itialaska.com/