DAY #3 MARCH 4, 2025 NENANA - MANLEY

 DAY #3 MARCH 4, 2025 NENANA-MANLEY

From NENANA to MANLEY it is 85 miles. This being the beginning of the race all the teams are very close together. They are running slower as it is so warm- about 40 degrees. The dogs like 0-minus degrees. Mushers' said in the warmer weather they take extra breaks, give different snacks to the dogs like pure beef and kibble for warm weather and fat for cold weather.

JUSTIN OINES spoke with Jodi (the commentator this year and previous years a musher in the race).He is running mostly rescue dogs. His passion is working with the Junior mushers and being their mentor. He rescues dogs and trains them with the Jr. mushers. When asked about the name the rescue came with, he said they stick with their inherited name. Sounds like such a passionate guy. Good luck to him.

Some mushers use the pattern. RUN, REST, RUN. The dogs get used to a pattern and thats what they expect. They do 50-60 mile runs, rest etc. During rest periods the musher first takes care of the dogs--Booties (protect their feet with trail conditions) changes, put hay down for the dogs to rest and snack them. The musher will reorganize, fill a thermos, do any repairs and rest if possible. 

Jodi said after a very long run she did experience  hullucinations. She said she saw a giraffe on the Yukon River---OOOH Run was too long and she didn't do that again without a break.

Being so warm during the day, the teams usually rest, as they did in NENANA. You could hear the dogs barking and jumping around READY TO GO!! So early in the race they had a lot of energy to spare. As the race goes on you can tell that pent up energy is used and rest time is well accepted and much quieter.

JASON MACKEY and PAIGE DROBNY are leading the pack. CALVIN DAUGHERTY is pulling up the rear. He is a Rookie but is taking his time and sticking to his pattern. ALL the mushers are now in or leaving MANLEY on to TANANA -65 miles away. 

Just a word about MANLEY Population 20: that is the site of MANLEY HOT SPRINGS. This is an unexpected oasis in Interior Alaska. It is 156 miles, by road, from Fairbanks. The Springs are now privately owned (don't know how that is but this is Alaska!!) They have a greenhouse that is heated by geothermal energy so they boast lots of "luscious" vegetables. MANLEY is 674 miles to NOME.

Hank and I spent 5 days at CHENA HOT SPRINGS, 60 miles north of FAIRBANKS. The University of Alaska, in Fairbanks, uses this area for experimenting with their geothermal energy and have greenhouses and several experimental areas. The hot springs were wonderful especially when the temp at that time was in the minus area!!! Their restaurant was excellent as they made use of all their "luscious" vegetables from their greenhouses. 

Its now past midnight EST and TANANA is the hot spot. The teams are now moving as its cooler and they are "pouring" into TANANA. First to arrive was JASON MACKEY, followed by PAIGE DROBNY and GABE DUNHAM. As it is only 9pm there so the townspeople are filling the street with pots and pans of home made food for the mushers. Big wood stove in the hall where they have a huge pot of moose stew cooking along with all the local food. They have music and singing at the checkpoint and all the cameras and BRUCE LEE and GREG HEISTER, commentators for the race are there as well. Many will stop here as it is 117 miles to the next checkpoint - RUBY. 

Several of the locals are setting up a grill with moose burgers for a stop half way to RUBY. 

Till tomorrow. I will use the next page for a few pictures.

Cont'd #2 day MARCH 3, 2025 NENANA ---PICTURES

CONT'D  DAY #2               JEFF DEETER going down the Tanana River(foreground) to the right the                                                                     

                                             Tripod on the river                                                                                         

                                             Better picture of the Tripod

                                           Above: Dr. Stromberg, VET, from Colorado. Volunteering for 22 years.

                                            VETS and checkers waiting at the NENANA checkpoint for teams

Cont'd DAY#2 MARCH 3, 2025 START OF RACE FAIRBANKS TO NENANA

CONT'D MARCH 3, 2025 DAY #2 

No feed from FAIRBANKS.Had to wait till they got to the first Checkpoint of NENANA. From FAIRBANKS they travel on the Tanana River up to NENANA. Population is 400. Comments were how warm it was. The dogs like the cooler weather to run in. It's 34 degrees!! Very unusual. 

In years past, people used to travel up the Tanana River to NENANA to trade with the Russians --fur for western goods.

On the Tanana River, close to the NENANA checkpoint ,there is a tripod set up. One can purchase tickets with guesses on the exact time the ice will break up. There is a rope attached to the tripod and when the tripod begins to move the rope trips a clock that registers the exact time the break up began. The person or persons who guess the EXACT date and time win the jackpot. In 2024 the jackpot was $210,155!!! Its worth a try!! I have taken chances but NEVER won!! This game was started in 1817 by railroad engineers.

Some say the trip on the river is just boring but ANNA BERINGTON, a musher, said "some mushers think the river is going to be boring and boring suggests waste of time. There's nothing about the  Iditarod thats a waste of time, it's a challenge. So if you're of the mindset of accepting it then it can be a new fun way to experience the Iditarod". Positive thinking Anna!!

EMILY ROBINSON, a young musher lives in NENANA. She is 17 years old and has won the Junior Iditarod 4 times. Next year she will be of age to run this Iditarod. Because she won the Jr. race, she lead the mushing teams out at the ceremonial start. After that, she and her Dad, will go from ANCHORAGE to NOME  with their dog teams. She will get the experience before she gets on the trail next year. That's commitment and love of the sport and a good Dad!!!!

Sorry no feed from the start but I'll try to make it up as we go along. Here are a few pictures.

This is the NENANA train station. Have to go to next page for more pictures.

DAY #2 OFFICIAL START OF IDITAROD 2025 from FAIRBANKS

 Day #2 FAIRBANKS --START

Well, bad news. The feed from Fairbanks went down. No broadcast!! Maybe aliens that don't like dogs or something!!😝I hope they rerun the start of the race. If so, I will provide some feed at that time. Half of the mushers have left Fairbanks on their way to the first checkpoint NENANA which is 52 miles. JASON MACKEY (LANCE'S BROTHER) was first out of the gate as he pulled the #2. Skies are blue, not very cold and lot of excited people. I'll be back. I do have Jason Mackey live from my Facebook page.

CONTINUATION OF PICTURES FROM DAY #1

                                             iThis is some of what they haul now from Anchorage to Fairbanks.

                                                            Bit of a moving circus😝

                                            A look down 4th Ave in Anchorage--ceremonial start here

                                               Jason Mackey with pensive look before the start

                                                   Going down 4th ave Anchorage--very little snow

                                    Jeff Schultz the official photographer of the race--he isn't usually pictured!!!

                               Senator Lisa Murkowski with musher and dogs at the ceremonial start

cont'd from #1 day CEREMONIAL START ANCHORAGE---PICTURES

                                            Anna Berington--usually runs with her twin Christy-not this year

                                            Michelle Phillips has been in this for a long time--one of my fav's

                                             #26 Paige Drobny-been in it for some time--great ceremonial dress

                                              These are the dancers and singers I spoke about 😗

 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