CON'T MARCH 1, 2025 CEREMONIAL START OF IDITAROD 2025

Today 33 mushers  participated in the ceremonial start in Anchorage with only 33 sleds leaving. That is an unusually small number. Don't know the reason for that. 

They began with native dancers and something they called singing. Not sure what it was. Interesting!!They had a tribute to Dr. Stu Nelson, the Head Vet for the race who died last year. He worked the Iditarod for 38 years. I had the privilege of meeting him. Such a devoted Vet and race Vet organizer with a great love for the dogs.

GREG HEISTER AND BRUCE LEE will be commentators throughout the race. They have been there for many years and put humor, interest, info and lots of charisma in the race.

They have volunteer trail breakers, with their snowmobiles, to clear the trail for the race.They are usually from the nearby villages.

I have a few pictures of mushers with their Iditariders (paid in a lottery to ride thru Anchorage with a musher chosen for them)

trail map

. Something I never knew, behind the musher and Iditarider there is a tag driver--just for this part of the ride. The tag driver is chosen by the musher and is there for any emergencies. They are only on the ceremonial start of the race. 

list of mushers