DAY #13 IDITAROD FRIDAY MARCH 15, 2024

NEARING THE END OF THE RACE:

SEAN WILLIAMS (r) was one of the  6 teams that had to be rescued from WHITE MOUNTAIN during a dangerous storm in 2022. He was about 70 miles from NOME at that time. This time, he had been running far behind in the race for some time and the authorities decided that SEAN was not making the progress he should be by the time he was in ELIM.That warranted his decision to scratch in ELIM. TWICE he was so close to the finish but had to scratch. The IDITAROD AIR FORCE came to pick him up and transport him to NOME.        

JOSHUA ROBBINS had been running last for quite some time and it was thought he would be the RED LANTERN (last to finish in the race). He had to still have his 8 hour rest in WHITE MOUNTAIN. There were two teams in front of him, SEVERIN CATHRY and JEFF REID. 

THEN the evening excitement (for the insider fans for sure!!!) began. We saw where CATHRY and REID left SAFETY, ROBBINS still there. THEN.....CATHRY and REID turned around and headed back to SAFETY. No explanation why. Well for many hours the fans created hundreds of random theories -very funny at times---sitting in the sun, having a farewell drink in the bar, hooking up together and coming in tandem cross the finish line. This went on and on for hours. THEN JOSHUA ROBBINS began his 2 hour mush from SAFETY to NOME, coming under the burled arch in 27th place --12 days 5hours 27 min and 33 sec. JOSH was the leader of a sniper team in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Being a Veteran, the VFW in NOME came out with flags to welcome him.There were many finishers there to greet him.  Speaking of the last leg of the race, he said after leaving SAFETY and going over the second big hill he saw the ocean and marveled at how beautiful it was. He said he hadn't really planned to be the fastest, being his first IDITAROD, he just "put one foot in front of the other" not fast but continuous. He marveled at his team and only changed lead dogs during a bad snow storm. He praised his team.

HENRY you asked what happened to Aily Zirkle and her husband Allen. I understand they moved to FLORIDA!! Thats some change---ALASKA IDITAROD--FLORIDA BOAT RACING?????

As of 12:30 am EST there are only 2 teams left to finish and they are both in SAFETY, 43 miles from NOME. Perhaps they are resting there?? We don't know but believe they will be in NOME in the morning. Who will be the Red Lantern (last place)?  There is also prestige in this position. The courage, endurance and will to FINISH what they started and trained for. 

AND SO>>>>>> the 2024 IDITAROD will come to an end tomorrow--in time for ST. PATRICKS DAY and the AWARD  BANQUET on Sunday. 

Pictures to follow:  Nite💤