Nov. 17, 2016 Jujiro Wada, who lived about a century ago, made his way to the wilds of Alaska as a young man and eventually became a local hero there. The annual Iditarod race in Alaska is called “the last great race on Earth.” It’s a famous international dog-sled race along a trail that was established by Wada, who was an explorer. A life-size bronze statue of Wada was unveiled this September at a ceremony honoring his life, after local residents raised the needed funds.