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By Greg Bartlett

GPS tracking has certainly spread into all areas of life in the past decade. What was originally used primarily for the military has now become a normal part of everyday life. GPS tracking devices have saved businesses thousands of dollars and kept hundreds of people safe. And now GPS technology has even started being used in a variety of leisure activities.

GPS & Dog Sled Racing

Mountain climbers, swimmers, and vacationers have all used GPS tracking to record their progress. Many people are even building websites around the information from their GPS tracking devices so that others can share in their accomplishments.

The idea of using GPS technology to allow others around the globe to track your movements has become very popular for races as well. Sailboat races and channel swims have been logged with GPS technology. But the latest addition is the dog sled race.

This February in Anchorage, Alaska, the 64th World Championship Dog Sled Race will now incorporate GPS tracking. Following the example of the most famous dog sled race, the Iditarod Trail Race, the 25-mile race will be tracked and displayed on the internet so people all around the world can follow the progress.

Each dog sled musher will receive a GPS tracking device that is very similar to a real time vehicle tracking device. The participants in the race will all be tracked on an animated map, allowing fans to watch as the mushers pass each other as they strive for the win. Internet fans will receive an accurate view of the race, because the GPS trackers will record the speed and position of each dog sled.

Long-distance races like these can be very difficult for fans to follow, especially in the extremely cold temperatures. Now, fans from all around Alaska can follow the race on their computers. The addition of GPS tracking devices to the race will give this yearly dog sled race more attention than they have ever received. Usually the most publicity the race gets is a short TV news clip.

GPS technology is still mostly used by businesses in fleet tracking and to track shipments of goods and by law enforcement officers to monitor suspects and criminals on parole. However, as time progresses and GPS systems develop, more personal uses for GPS technology will be discovered. These discoveries will lead to the creation of GPS devices designed for that particular activity, making the personal use of GPS tracking systems more and more popular.