Welcome back to the most wonderful time of the sports year. Well, for me at least. The 54th edition of the ~1,000 mile Iditarod begins Saturday, March 7th with the ceremonial start in Anchorage at 10 AM Alaska Time/2 PM East Coast. The real race will begin the next day in Willow, AK at 2 PM Alaska Time/6 PM East Coast. VT's own Paige Drobny returns as one of 36 remaining teams this year. 5 mushers have already withdrawn - Connor McMahon, Josh McNeal, Deke Naaktgeboron, Nicholis Petit and Joshua Robbins - most due to injuries while training, but also personal reasons or in the "best interest of the team", which is the catch all phrase for anything undefined.
Teams follow the northern route in even years. Map below. Work has been horrific and I've not had much time to look at things, but will try and do some research on this year's field and get that posted before the start.
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Comments
Looking at some of the teams this year's I dont know if those dogs gained weight but they're all looking a bit husky
Who is favored this year? Is Seavey running? Usually Petit runs pretty well so I'm surprised to see him withdrawn.
But most importantly, PAIGE!!!!!
let's go!!!!!!!
I'm not sure what happened. The image of the race course vanished, so reposted that on the top of the thread.
Lots of experience in the field this year. Holmes and Hall are there, along with the rest of the top finishers from last year. I hope Paige's dogs want to go fast this year.
Loudoun Now had an article about the Chief Vet happens to run a clinic in Purcellville.
Link
I thought the article was super informative and I immediately thought of this thread.
Well, I'm a bit disappointed to hear that the field has 34 real Iditarod teams and 3 "Expedition" mushers. They are people who are going to be on the trail to Nome but are allowed to get outside help, have people watch over them on snow machines. One of them paid a boatload of money to be able to do it. I guess that is the world we live in now.
https://apnews.com/article/alaska-iditarod-sled-dog-race-38934492f560016...
Should note that the expedition mushers are not eligible for prizes or the like. They will just be able to run the course with the other teams. Still, just feels like this type of outside support is really not in the spirit of "The Last Great Race".
At least the one guy is throwing 100k into the purse and 170k to the local checkpoint villages
If they are ineligible to win and are going to provide extra assets to help the race keep going in the future I don't mind. But I hope they are only allowed for a rookie year.
Depends on the level of help too, like they have help to prep a downed moose on the course then sure, cause some of that stuff is insane, but none of this sherpa carries some one up everest type thing.
About 1 hour from the ceremonial start. Race order will be:
1. No one in the race wears #1; this is for a ceremonial/honorary musher
2. Adam Lindenmuth - Rookie
3. Rohn Buser
4. Travis Beals
5. Ryan Redington
6. Kjell Rokke* - Rookie and "Expedition" musher
7. Jessie Holmes
8. Chad Stoddard
9. Bailey Vitello
10. VT's Paige Drobny
11. Joseph Sabin - Rookie
12. Keaton Loebrich
13. Thomas Waerner* - "Expedition" musher
14. Jessie Royer
15. Mille Porsild
16. Matt Hall
17. Lauro Eklund
18. Gabe Dunham
19. Riley Dyche
20. Sydnie Bahl - Rookie
21. Richie Beattie - Rookie
22. Jason Mackey
23. Hanna Lyrek
24. Sam Martin - Rookie
25. Sam Paperman - Rookie
26. Wade Marrs
27. Josi (Thyr) Shelley
28. Jayne Foucher - Rookie
29. Jesse Terry - Rooke
30. Michelle Phillips
31. Sadie Lindquist- Rookie
32. Jody Potts-Joseph - Rookie
33. Peter Kaiser
34. Kevin Hansen - Rookie
35. Jeff Deeter
36. Brenda Mackey - Rookie
37. Grayson Bruton
38. Steve Curtis* - Rookie and "Expedition" musher
So I don't necessarily mind the rookie's getting help as that will help keep interest up. But unless Waerner is a retired musher doing it for one last run I have issues with a non-rookie getting outside help.
Oh, he is actually not getting the help. He is there to actually watch over and, if needed, help the other one.
In terms of the favorites, ones at or near the top would be:
Jessie Holmes - 2025 champion and 6 top 10 finishes returns to defend the title
Ryan Redington - 2023 champion and 5 top 10 finishes
Pete Kaiser - 2019 champion and 9 to 10 finishes
Matt Hall - has won the Yukon Quest and 4 top 10 finishes including 2nd place the last 2 years
Others who have been very good
Travis Beals - 5 top 10 finishes
Paige Drobny- 4 top 10 finishes including her best last year in 3rd. Go Hokies!
Wade Marrs - 5 top 10 finishes
Millie Porshild - 4 top 10 finishers
Jessie Royer - 9 top 10 finishes
Others who could have a shot if they can progress include Jeff Deeter, Riley Dyche, Michelle Phillips, Bailey Vitello and Chad Stoddard. All of which have a top 10 finish.
Thomas Waerner is the 2020 champion, but is acting as an Expedition musher and not eligible for a win. Plus he is watching over Kjell Rokke. 6 time winner Dallas Seavey is taking time off to be with family and 3 time winner Mitch Seavey is also taking the year off. Perennial top musher Nic Petit had to withdraw due to an injury.
This may have already been mentioned elsewhere, but Dallas Seavey was born in Virginia and has won the race more than anyone else. He makes Virginia-born mushers the third most winningest after AK and MN, per Wikipedia which is always 100% accurate.
Finally had the chance to listen to Paige's pre-race interview.
She was diagnosed with something (assuming breast cancer) in August. They did not specify. She went onto surgery and they think they got "it" early. Will be on therapy for a while. Said that she was not on the runners much and that Cody had run the team more. It had been bitter cold where they live all winter. That is great for the dogs but she has struggled with the cold. Noted that the meds can make her dehydrated and she has to really work on that. Says she promised her mom she would drop out if she was having health issues.
The team looks strong. 12 are veterans that have made it to Nome before. 4 are new. Feels she will be the potential weak link on the team.
Said she prefers the southern route over this year's northern route. Southern one is a bit more isolated.
Wishing her the best for a safe and - especially now - healthy run.
I hope it was a minor health issue, but this sounds like classic Paige is about to kick ass. Last year it was just letting the dogs run. not pushing it and she did incredible. Maybe her take it easy approach is the right strategy here. Best of Luck to Paige and may the course be smooth for her this year!
On FB they did indeed specify breast cancer
They certainly didn't have to truck snow into Anchorage this year. ~20 degrees now, snowing, and lots of snow already on the ground.
2:03 east coast and the honorary musher sled is off. Looks like the 2026 Junior Iditarod winner was driving the sled, but they did not say. That was what was on their bib.
Rookie Adam Lindenmuth from Willow Alaska is off at 2:06 PM east coast, so we are underway!
Paige should leave in about 20 minutes.
Paige is off at 2:30 PM east coast/10:30 AM Alaska. Tried to get a couple of screen shots to post, but the didn't come out too clear. Will try and get them up anyway.
When asked how she got into mushing, she answered her husband built her a sled.
Edit: shot from right before and right after the start. Squid gear in prominence.
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And the last team is off onto the ceremonial start.
Grayson Bruton set out at 3:51 PM east coast/11:51 AM Alaska. He is the final regular musher to leave.
Steve Curtis, the third expedition musher is off at 3:54 PM east coast/11:54.
That is everyone. After the ~12 mile trip to Cambell Airstrip, the teams will be trucked up to the restart at Willow, AK tomorrow @2 PM Alaska time/6 PM east coast.
Wishing all the mushers and dogs a safe journey to Nome.
Was about 20 degrees in Anchorage for the start. Apparently, they will be below -20 once they get over the Alaska Range and into the interior. Weather report for Nikoli, AK over the next few days:
https://www.google.com/search?q=nikolai+ak+weather&sca_esv=92ac9763e32e6...
Let's! Go!
Hokies!
I know we've talked about it in passing before, but would folks be interested in sponsoring a dog on Paige's team? Squid Acres Sponsorship.
We could pool some money and sponsor a dog currently running, if we found enough folks. Unfortunately it's more individualized, but we could give TKP a shout out in the comments at least. I have to imagine the business sponsorships would be more money than we can raise.
There's a lead dog named Wild Turkey that would be perfect for TKP to sponsor.
https://www.thekeyplay.com/comment/1350002#comment-1350002
Already have a few commitments here, we just need someone to take the lead on it.
I'd be willing to take the lead, but not sure how to set it up. I mean folks can just venmo me money but that doesn't seem very legit.
2:00 PM Alaska/6:00 PM east coast on March 8 and the real race begins. Rookie Adam Lindenmuth starts us off and is on the way from Willow to Yentna checkpoint ~40 miles away.
From the Iditarod website about Yentna:
"Population 8 – this checkpoint is at the Yentna Station Roadhouse, a wilderness lodge and home of the Dan and Jean Gabryszak family. Established in 1981, the Station offers great easy-access race viewing with its proximity to Willow, convenient snowmachine trail access, pre-race celebrations, and available room & board."
AND THEY'RE OFF
6:16 PM east coast/2:16 PM and Paige is off in the 9th position with bib #10. Best of luck to Nome.
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And all of the teams are on the trail to Nome.
Rookie Steve Curtis, an expedition musher, pulls out of Willow towards Willow Lake and towards Yentna Station at 7:12 PM east coast/3:12 PM AK time.
That is it for today. Have a good evening.
Saturday night, March 8 ~10:15 PM east coast/6:15 PM Alaska. Ryan Redington leads the field having just passed through Yentna Station and on the trail towards the village of Skwenta. ~30 miles to the checkpoint there. Mushers will go up the Yentna River almost the entire way. From there, the teams will start to go up hill to the Finger Lake checkpoint as the trail heads up to and over the Alaska Range and into the interior. After Finger Lake, the trail continues to climb to the next checkpoint at Rainy Pass, the highest point on the Iditarod Trail.
Teams are still bunched together and just about all of them will probably stay that way for a while before they start separating. Standings as of ~10:15 PM were:
1. Ryan Redington running 16 dogs just past Yentna Station, 53 miles in/922 miles to Nome
2. Rohn Buser running 16 dogs arriving at Yentna Station, 53 miles in/922 miles to Nome
Thomas Waerner expedition musher running 12 dogs 51 miles in/924 to Nome (expedition mushers can switch out dogs and bring in new ones, so none of them started with the full compliment of 16. Competing mushers drop dogs that are not running well, but cannot add any new ones, so almost all started with the full 16).
3. Jessie Holmes running 16 dogs 51 miles in/924 to Nome
4. Jessie Royer running 16 dogs 51 miles in/924 to Nome
5. Paige Drobny running 16 dogs 50 miles in/925 to Nome
Kjell Rokke expedition musher running 12 dogs 49 miles in/926 to Nome
6. Rookie Joseph Sabin running 16 dogs 49 miles in/926 to Nome
7. Travis Beals running 16 dogs 49 miles in/926 to Nome
8. Lauro Eklund running 16 dogs 49 miles in/926 to Nome
9. Chad Stoddard running 16 dogs 49 miles in/926 to Nome
10. Bailey Vitello running 16 dogs 49 miles in/926 to Nome
The Red Lantern position (last musher on the trail) is Grayson Burton, running 16 dogs 39 miles in/936 to Nome. One of the expedition mushers, Steve Curtis, is behind Grayson, but the expedition mushers do not count in the standings.
Should note, all of the positions, miles, number of dogs I report are likely to be based off of the GPS tracker and not the leader board.
Monday morning, March 9 ~6 AM east coast/2 AM Alaska. The top 13 teams + 2 expedition mushers are on the trail from Skwenta to Finger Lakes. Another 10 are in Skwentna. Thomas Waerner and Kjell Rokke are 100 miles in and running with 12 dogs each. Standings are:
1. Jessie Holmes running 16 dogs 99 miles in/876 to Nome
2. Michelle Phillis running 16 dogs 94 miles in/881 to Nome
3. Paige Drobny running 16 dogs 94 miles in/881 to Nome
4. Matt Hall running 16 dogs 93 miles in/882 to Nome
5. Millie Porsild running 16 dogs 92 miles in/883 to Nome
6. Bailey Vitello running 16 dogs 92 miles in/883 to Nome
7. Rohn Buser running 16 dogs 91 miles in/884 to Nome
8. Lauro Eklund running 16 dogs 89 miles in/886 to Nome
9. Riley Dyche running 16 dogs 88 miles in/887 to Nome
10. Ryan Redington running 16 dogs 88 miles in/887 to Nome
The Red Lantern position is Grayson Burton, running 16 dogs 65 miles in/910 to Nome.
One of the expedition mushers, Steve Curtis, is behind Grayson.
First video from the analysts. They are in Finger Lake, 123 miles in.
Very heavy winds are blowing out of the Alaska Range, which will be right in the mushers face as they are doing the fairly modest uphill to Finger Lake. Was very calm at Willow, but the wind is so strong in Finger Lake that it masks their voice at times.
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Belief is that the wind and cold will help pack the trail well and give a fast surface. The wind will keep people who take breaks to find sheltered areas when they stop. Thought was the top teams would take 1 break on the trail before Skwentna and then a second break along the trail before Finger Lakes. The less competitive teams may rest in Skwentna itself.
11:20 EST - looking at live standings map shows Paige in 1st place at mile 124, 1 mile ahead of second place. All of the top ten are resting, most of them at mile 123.
except Peter Kaiser who just started running again and is a mile back. Two of the expedition mushers are also with Paige resting at mile 124, but they dont count.website for live standings: http://w-uh.com/iditaflow/?mpos=1&mcnt=40&snmile=-40&edate=&predict=&pre...
1ST PLACE! GO SQUIDS GO!
It looks like she just picked the furthest spot to stop on the trail.
1st is 1st 💁
Firsts first the same
Not from the Iditarod, but from the Norway Trail Sled Dog Race. She's lucky someone was able to help.
https://www.reddit.com/r/HumansBeingBros/comments/1rohjc9/a_woman_saves_...
Monday afternoon, March 9 ~1:15 PM east coast/9:15 AM Alaska. Jessie Holmes and Paige are the only teams that had moved past Finger Lake checkpoint. Paige arrived at 5:28 Alaska time/9:28 AM east coast, dropped 1 dog (not a great sign to drop one so early) and pulled out at 5:36 AM Alaska time/9:36 AM east coast. Jessie arrived earlier, but took a 4-hour rest for the team, so pulled out in second. Paige subsequently stopped to rest the team on the trail just after the checkpoint and Jessie has moved back ahead. Some people like to rest at the checkpoint, but others like to keep their dogs away from the other teams or too many people, so will take breaks outside of a checkpoint. Standings are:
1. Jessie Holmes running 16 dogs 124 miles in/851 to Nome
2. Paige Drobny resting on the trail with 15 dogs, 124 miles in/851 to Nome
10 teams are resting in Finger Lake, 123 miles in/852 to Nome, and based on order of arrival they next 8 are:
3. Michelle Phillips with 16 dogs
4. Ryan Redington with 16 dogs
5. Riley Dyche with 16 dogs
6. Bailey Vitello with 16 dogs
7. Jessie Royer with 16 dogs
8. Pete Kaiser with 16 dogs
9. Rookie Kevin Hansen with 16 dogs
10. Jason Mackey with 16 dogs
The Red Lantern position is Rookie Sadie Lindquist, running 14 dogs 88 miles in/887 to Nome.
One of the expedition mushers, Steve Curtis, is behind Sadie.
In the analysts video from earlier today, just after Paige pulled out, noted the huge wind is still going. Sounds even louder/drowning the speakers out even more than last night. Paige picked up straw and they knew she was going to stop on the trail. Mentioned it is unusual for so many of the leaders to stop at Finger Lake. Belief is that everyone wants to have their teams well-rested before attempting to get up to and over Rainy Pass, which can be like a wind tunnel through the Alaska Range. Thought that winds will be harder up there and could be a lot of blowing snow. Had 6-10 inches of new snow in Anchorage and guessing it is more up at the pass.
Monday night, March 9 just before 11 PM east coast/7 PM Alaska.
Jessie Holmes has just pulled into Rohn checkpoint a little bit before 5 PM local time/9 PM east coast and has been resting the team there since. 11 other teams have crested Rainy Pass and are on the trail down to Rohn. Top 10 looks like this:
1. Jessie Holmes resting with 16 dogs in Rohn, 188 miles in/787 to Nome
2. Bailey Vitello running with 16 dogs 179 miles in/796 to Nome
3. Riley Dyche resting on the trail with 16 dogs, 170 miles in/805 to Nome
4. Millie Porsild running with 16 dogs 170 miles in/805 to Nome
5. Paige Drobny running 15 dogs 170 miles in/805 to Nome
6. Ryan Redington running 16 dogs 167 miles in/808 to Nome
7. Matt Hall resting on the trail with 16 dogs 166 miles in/809 to Nome
8. Lauro Eklund resting on the trail with 16 dogs 166 miles in/809 to Nome
9. Michelle Phillips running 15 dogs 164 miles in/811 to Nome
10. Travis Beals running 16 dogs 163 miles in/812 to Nome
The Red Lantern position is Grayson Bruton resting with 16 dogs at Finger Lake checkpoint, 123 miles in/852 to Nome
Was a write up on the Iditarod site for Insiders discussing some of the early strong teams.
Past winner Ryan Redington feels he has a dream team of dogs from his kennel as well as kennels of some relatives, but did not want to say too much.
Defending champion Jessie Holmes says he absolutely wants to repeat this year. Actually said he wanted to repeat both his wins in the Copper Basin 300 and Iditarod. Did win the Copper Basin this season, so halfway there.
Past winner Pete Kaiser is coming off a win in the Kusko 300. Says he is planning to lay back and not make an aggressive push until well into the race. Noted that there are several people with a chance to win, but feels Jessie Holmes is the favorite.
Paige Drobny is 100% being herself. Says she has a plan and intends to follow it: running the race her dogs are capable of and what happens happens. Not going to push it, just be her/the team's best.
2 time runner-up and a former Yukon Quest winner Matt Hall is hungry for the top and feels he can challenge Jessie. Has a very experienced team that is used to the bitter cold this winter has provide in the Alaska interior and should be well adapted.
Tuesday morning, March 10 at about 6 AM east coast/2 AM Alaska.
The first 16 teams are all on the long, 75-80 mile, stretch from Rohn to the native village of Nikoli. Mille Porsild pulled out in first with 16 dogs at 8:45 PM Alaska/12:45 AM east coast and was followed shortly by Paige at 8:52 PM Alaska/12:52 AM east coast. Mille looks like her team went straight through from Rainy Pass to Rohn, while Paige rested her team along the route. Mille is now resting her team, which allowed Paige to take over the lead. Standings are:
1. Paige Drobny running 15 dogs 225 miles in/750 to Nome
2. Jessie Holmes running 16 dogs 219 miles in/756 to Nome
3. Matt Hall running 16 dogs 219 miles in/756 to Nome
4. Riley Dyche running 16 dogs, 215 miles in/760 to Nome
5. Travis Beals resting on the trail with 15 dogs, 210 miles in/765 to Nome
6. Ron Buser resting on the trail with 16 dogs, 210 miles in/765 to Nome
7. Ryan Redington resting on the trail with 16 dogs, 209 miles in/766 to Nome
8. Michelle Phillips resting on the trail with 14 dogs, 209 miles in/766 to Nome
9. Jessie Royer running 16 dogs 208 miles in/767 to Nome
10. Mille Porsild resting on the trail with 16 dogs, 208 miles in/767 to Nome
All of the teams will need to take a significant break along the trail to Nikoli given the length. Typical breaks are ~4 hours, but some do shorter on the trail. Over the next day or 2, teams will start declaring their mandatory 24-hour layover, though the leaders will normally push on further than the back-of-the-pack teams. There is also a mandatory 8-hour layover that must occur at one of the Yukon River checkpoints and a second 8-hour layover at White Mountain before the final push to Nome.
The Red Lantern position is rookie Jaye Foucher resting with 15 dogs at Rainy Pass checkpoint, 153 miles in/822 to Nome
I have followed your TOP NOTCH updates and analysis long enough to know not to get excited about this, but it would be nice for Paige to score some of the first to checkpoint awards this year.
If we can't sponsor a dog this year, do you know how we can buy Paige a pizza?
https://alaskapublic.org/iditarod/2024-03-11/this-unalakleet-restaurant-...
Sorry, tied up at work today, so cannot do much with the updates during the day. But we did have our first team dropping out. Rookie Jaye Foucher scratched today at Rainy Pass. From the Iditarod website:
"Rookie Iditarod musher Jaye Foucher (bib #28) of Wentworth, New Hampshire, scratched at 6:30 a.m. today at the Rainy Pass checkpoint due to personal reasons. Foucher's team remains healthy and doing well. After traveling through an extended wind storm, she made the decision not to continue further along the trail.
Foucher had 15 dogs in harness at the time she made the decision, all in good health."
I will never fault somebody who makes that decision.
If you're not in the right headspace, don't risk it and definitely don't risk hurting the dogs.
Agree; it is not like they are walking around in a suburban mall. They are out in the Alaskan wilderness in the middle of the winter in less than balmy conditions! Live to race another day.
Tuesday night, March 10 at about 9:40 PM east coast/5:40 PM Alaska.
The first 9 teams have gone through Nikoli and are on the trail to the town of McGrath. Most of which are resting along the trail. 7 other teams are resting in Nikoli. Likely the mushers getting their teams set up for the nighttime runs. Standings are:
1. Jessie Holmes resting on the trail with 16 dogs 284 miles in/691 to Nome
2. Riley Dyche resting on the trail with 16 dogs, 283 miles in/692 to Nome
3. Paige Drobny running 15 dogs 275 miles in/700 to Nome
4. Ryan Redington running 16 dogs 274 miles in/701 to Nome
5. Mille Porsild running 16 dogs 273 miles in/702 to Nome
6. Bailey Vitello running 16 dogs 272 miles in/703 to Nome
7. Michelle Phillips resting on the trail with 14 dogs, 267 miles in/708 to Nome
8. Matt Hall resting on the trail with 14 dogs 266 miles in/709 to Nome
9. Travis Beals running 15 dogs 265 miles in/710 to Nome
10. Pete Kaiser resting in Nikoli with 13 dogs, 263 miles in/712 to Nome
The Red Lantern position is Grayson Bruton resting with 12 dogs 189 miles in/786 to Nome
Listened to several brief interviews with some of the leaders or favorites. All of them were earlier in the day when they were resting their teams in or around Nikolai.
General themes were that it started out very windy, but has died down today. The trail has been great. Several, including Paige, mentioned the area around Rohn was the best they had ever seen it or at least the best in years. Fast trail with good amounts of snow. The downhill from Rainy Pass to Rohn and then from Rohn to Nikolai are some of the most technically difficult areas, but it was smooth sailing for most - though not all, see below. Last night was very cold with people saying -40 to -50.
Jessie Holmes - Trip was cold and very windy. Noted that he is not often in the lead early, so unusual for him to be at the front. Last time he went out fast he was leading until Anvik (that was a southern route year and the checkpoint is not in the race this year) but then he faded. Noted last year he held back and surged later to win. But this year he is running a different race. Said he wants to be at the front and pace the field. Has been doing a lot of short runs with rest breaks in between. Noted that he has been using 2 leaders (Bronco and Zeus) that are not his normal leaders (Hercules and Polar) and that the new dogs have been leading great. Giving Hercules and Polar a rest from leading so they are ready later on. Suggested he would take his 24-hour layover at Takotna. Said a good spot for both the dogs to rest and the musher to get rested up too.
Pete Kaiser - Was glad to be past the tough, technical areas like the Dalzell Gorge. Has been a hard 2 days. Noted his team is used to running straight on river ice and narrow trails with sharp turns are not their element. Dogs have been up-and-down and he has 6 new young ones on his team this year. Feels that he has not been racing at all but getting the team set. Next step is to get to his 24-hour layover and then start from there anew.
Matt Hall - Commented on the really good trail through the Farewell Burn (a fire-scarred area notorious for having no snow cover) and the area around Rainy Pass was good too.
Ryan Redington - Noted he helped a musher along the trail (assume Mille). Said he is thinking about where to do his 24-hours as well. Like Jessie, hinted at Takota, but if the trail is good, may push on to the ghost town of Cripple before taking the long break. Noted was windy and may have been -40 last night.
Mille Porsild - is in a good position, but noted her position was better before she went into the trees. Slid off of a glacier trail and had the sled get stuck between 2 trees. Commented that she did not know how Paige got through that area as Paige had a trailer she was towing while Mille did not. It took her a while to get unstuck. Guessing Ryan helped, but no names were mentioned by him or her. Her sled also went into the water at one point. Said her sleeping bag was one big frozen sheet. Had a zipper freeze, so she could not open the bag to get her mittens. Thomas Waerner gave her a spare pair as she was worried about her hands. Estimated it was -50 last night. Whan asked why she does this will all the crazy things that can happen she said because you love the dogs.
Paige Drobny gave a short interview. You can tell being in front of a camera is not her thing. Said the dogs were running great and "really jazzed". Took several fairly long breaks in recent stretches. One by Finger Lake, about 3 hours by Rainy Pass and planned to stay ~4-4.5 areas in or near Nikoli. Also noted very fast and good trail., which is good that it was not rocky and bumpy as her back has been hurting.
Fun fact about the weather. Apparently, the LCD screen on the TV camera at Nikolai froze and does not work. So when they were interviewing Greg Heister, 1 of the 2 main press coverage guys, the cameraman could not tell if he was actually on the camera or not as there was no image. I know nothing about TV cameras. Guess the camera is pointed at where you want it and you see it on the LCD screen and don't look through it anymore. But, no view last night.
First on-trail award goes to Jessie Holmes as the first musher to reach McGrath. From the Iditarod website:
"Veteran musher Jessie Holmes (bib # 7 ), of Brushkana, Alaska was the first musher to reach the McGrath checkpoint at 8:03 p.m. today with 16 dogs in harness, winning the Alaska Air Transit Spirit of Iditarod Award.
First presented in 2019 and given to the first musher to reach the McGrath checkpoint, this award is presented by Lead Dog partner, Alaska Air Transit. First introduced in 2019, this award honors the first musher to arrive at the McGrath Checkpoint. The McGrath community shares deep ties to the Iditarod, and the award reflects that connection, featuring beaver fur mushers mitts with Athabaskan beadwork on moose hide, handcrafted by Loretta Maillelle of McGrath, along with a beaver fur hat made by Rosalie Egrass of McGrath. The award was presented to Holmes by Jessica Beans-Vaeao, Charter Coordinator for Alaska Air Transit"
Wednesday morning, March 11 at ~6:45 AM east coast/2:45 AM Alaska. GPS has most of the leading teams resting in Takotna checkpoint, but 1 has pushed past.
1. Riley Dyche running 16 dogs 331 miles in/644 to Nome
2. Jessie Holmes resting in Takotna with 16 dogs, 329 miles in/646 to Nome
3. Paige Drobny resting in Takotna with 14 dogs, 329 miles in/646 to Nome
4. Mille Porsild resting in Takotna with 16 dogs, 329 miles in/646 to Nome
5. Ryan Redington resting in Takotna with 16 dogs, 329 miles in/646 to Nome
6. Travis Beals resting in Takotna with 15 dogs, 329 miles in/646 to Nome
7. Michelle Phillips resting in Takotna with 14 dogs, 329 miles in/646 to Nome
8. Jessie Royer resting in Takotna with 15 dogs, 329 miles in/646 to Nome
9. Pete Kaiser resting in Takotna with 13 dogs, 329 miles in/646 to Nome
10. Wade Marrs running 13 dogs 324 miles in/651 to Nome
Rookie Sam Paperman is in the red lantern position, running 16 dogs 220 miles in/755 to Nome.
Screen shot of Paige's team having just arrived at Takotna. Team seemed to not be as excited and eager to go as some teams when they arrive at a checkpoint and don't want to stop. Some yipping and pulling, but not dogs jumping in their harnesses like they are saying, come on mom, let's go.
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On FB they reported a call they had with Paige at the checkpoint - she said the dogs were eating a lot and so she was going to go ahead and take her 24 and get the team fed up and rested.
Extra cold means the dogs need more fuel.
Wednesday night/actually very early Thursday morning ~12:45 AM east coast/8:45 PM Alaska, but I'm calling it Wednesday night.
Assuming all or almost all of the teams are currently on their 24-hour layover. Because some teams pushed further than others, the leaders are actually not the leaders as they will have to stay in place while the teams behind them get started. Makes the order funny, but that is the way of the Iditarod. Also, they add in the time that someone started earlier at. So the last person to start gets to leave in 24 hours, but if you started 10 minutes sooner than the last person to start, you go 24 hours + 10 minutes before you can leave, so you do not get a time punishment for having a higher bib number. Current leaders are:
1. Riley Dyche resting in Ophir with 16 dogs, 352 miles in/623 to Nome
2. Matt Hall resting in Ophir with 14 dogs, 352 miles in/623 to Nome
3. Lauro Eklund resting in Ophir with 15 dogs, 352 miles in/623 to Nome
4. Josi Shelley resting in Ophir with 12 dogs, 352 miles in/623 to Nome
5. Rookie Jessie Terry resting in Ophir with 15 dogs, 352 miles in/623 to Nome
6. Keaton Loebrich resting in Ophir with 14 dogs, 352 miles in/623 to Nome
7. Jessie Holmes resting in Takotna with 16 dogs, 329 miles in/646 to Nome
8. Paige Drobny resting in Takotna with 14 dogs, 329 miles in/646 to Nome
9. Mille Porsild resting in Takotna with 16 dogs, 329 miles in/646 to Nome
10. Ryan Redington resting in Takotna with 16 dogs, 329 miles in/646 to Nome
Of the 6 that pushed on to Ophir, would think Matt Hall is the only top team, although Riley Dyche has a top 10 finish.
Jessie Holmes will be eligible to leave ~10:30 PM Alaska time/2:30 AM east coast and Paige will be eligible to leave ~11:50 PM Alaska time/3:50 AM east coast. Both will need to have a little extra time added on. In contrast, Riley Dyche will not be eligible to leave until ~5:15 AM Alaska time/9:15 AM east coast.
Rookie Richie Beattie is in the red lantern position, resting in Nikolai with 13 dogs 263 miles in/712 to Nome.
Interview with Paige earlier in the day at Takotna. Said she was initially planning on going all the way to Cripple before taking her 24. However, that was risky with reported strong winds up in that direction and -40 temps, so she decided to stay at Takotna. Said she feels the "normal tired" mentally that you have at this point in the race, but feels more sore than normal, especially her back. Not certain, but feels it may be because she has not mushed as much as normal due to the cancer diagnosis and treatment. Having to re-think her strategy after stopping well before Cripple.
Feels her team cannot outrun Jessie's, so she will have to "out-stratagize" him if possible. Asked what her favorite food was in her bags and she said she hadn't eaten any of her own food at Takotna because they feed the mushers there really well and she had just been having what the serve.
Thursday morning March 12 ~7AM east coast/3 AM Alaska
Teams are starting to come off their 24-hour layover while others remained camped. Standings are:
1. Jessie Holmes running 16 dogs 358 miles in/617 to Nome
2. Riley Dyche resting in Ophir with 16 dogs, 352 miles in/623 to Nome
3. Matt Hall resting in Ophir with 14 dogs, 352 miles in/623 to Nome
4. Lauro Eklund resting in Ophir with 15 dogs, 352 miles in/623 to Nome
5. Josi Shelley resting in Ophir with 12 dogs, 352 miles in/623 to Nome
6. Rookie Jessie Terry resting in Ophir with 15 dogs, 352 miles in/623 to Nome
7. Keaton Loebrich resting in Ophir with 14 dogs, 352 miles in/623 to Nome
8. Paige Drobny running 14 dogs 346 miles in/629 to Nome - Unless she decides to rest the team before or at Ophir, she should take over 2nd place fairly soon
9. Mille Porsild running 16 dogs, 344 miles in/631 to Nome
10. Michelle Phillips running 13 dogs, 340 miles in/635 to Nome
Rookie Richie Beattie is in the red lantern position running 11 dogs 297 miles in/678 to Nome.
EDIT: At 7:48 AM east coast the GPS now has Paige past Ophir and in second place again.
Yesterday, rookie and Alaska native Jodi Potts-Joseph had an encounter with a bison on the trail just outside of Rohn. As she was leaving the checkpoint, she noticed several of the "kids" (young mushers) getting booties on their dogs, so they were getting ready to leave. She comes across a bison on the trail and they start acting aggressive while her dogs are going crazy too. The bison charges and she attempts to shoot it with the pistol, but it misfires. The bison pulls up just before the dogs and is huffing and pawing but does not attack. Gun just going "click" while the bison keeps doing the mock charges and the dogs back off a bit.
Realizing the gun is useless, she gets off the trail behind a tree for protection and starts throwing sicks and things at the bison, but no effect. Finally, she remembers her mom's story of how her dad (Jodi's grandfather) was out hunting. Her mom was in the yard with other kids when a grizzly came in and was acting aggressive. Her grandmother got the kids in the house and her grandmother, supposedly went up to the bear and asked them to have mercy and go away and the bear did. The old legend is that the animals can understand their native language. Well, she tried it and the bison left.
Assumed the bison would not leave the trail and go into the deep snow. She believes bison are not native to the area and were imported for hunting and are not used to the deep snow. So she knew the gun was useless and decided to wait until the other teams, which she figured were right behind her, caught up. They did and they all had pistols so got the team untangled and went on together. Bison was still around and the caught up to it. Others fired warning shots and they eventually went away.
Analysts video notes how the next 2 runs - from the ghost town of Ophir to the ghost town of Cripple and then from Cripple to the village of Ruby - are both long sections. From Ruby through Kaltag the teams will be going down the Yukon River until Kaltag, where they will go over the Kaltag Portage to the sea coast at Unalakleet. Cripple is considered the half way point of the northern route and the first one to get there wins $3,000 in gold nuggets.
All teams must take a mandatory 8-hour break at one of the Yukon River checkpoints. Thought is that if the trail leading up to Ruby is bad and the team struggles, you do the 8-hour at Ruby. Most will want to go further and, as long as the trail is okay, will do so. Noted that 2 of the expedition mushers and a snow machine have gone on ahead and that should help pack the trail and make it better.
Bruce Lee (the former musher and analyst, not that other Bruce Lee) talked about what mushers and teams seemed to be doing well. Noted Jessie and Paige were both really mentally into the game. Pete Kaiser also there. Pete is laying back. Wants to take it easy with a lot of young dogs on his team, get to the river and see what he has then. Leading from the front is not Pete's method like Jessie and Paige are doing, but notes that Pete cannot let the leaders get too far ahead if he wants a chance to win. Although she is not one of the leaders and not an upfront contender, Brenda Mackey said she is really happy. Her dogs are running well and eating well.
Feels the real racing and strategy is starting now. What Bruce wants to keep an eye on is who is getting to Ruby at or near the front and where are they taking their 8-hour. Teams that get there at or near the front and are strong/push through without taking the break will be the contenders to win.
Best my AI skills can do in 30 seconds.
Paige back in first for now, having just passed Jesse Holmes who has been resting for 1.5 hours.
And it's quite significant, given that she's already had her 24-hour rest stop. GO PAIGE GO!
I believe Jessie has also taken his 24-hour stop, but was a bit before hers. Looks like they've been consistently within a few miles of each other and Paige has been slightly faster when running.
This is correct.
And now Paige is resting, and Jesse has just pulled out. Both at 381 miles in.
Thursday evening March 12 ~10:30 PM east coast/6:30 PM Alaska
Jessie Holmes did reach Cripple checkpoint first, claiming the "halfway" award. He is resting the team there. Paige came in about 2.5 hours later, but she went through and is now in first place. Screen shot of her arriving in Cripple and the GPS page proving she is now ahead :-).
Standings as of ~10:30 PM east coast on the 12th are:
1. Paige Drobny running 14 dogs 437 miles in/538 to Nome
2. Jessie Holmes resting in Cripple with 16 dogs, 425 miles in/550 to Nome
3. Mille Porsild resting in Cripple with 16 dogs, 425 miles in/550 to Nome
4. Ryan Redington running 16 dogs 419 miles in/556 to Nome
5. Travis Beals running 15 dogs 419 miles in/556 to Nome
6. Riley Dyche running 15 dogs 418 miles in/557 to Nome
7. Michelle Phillips running 13 dogs 418 miles in/557 to Nome
8. Jessie Royer running 14 dogs 410 miles in/565 to Nome
9. Wade Marrs running 12 dogs 409 miles in/566 to Nome
10. Pete Kaiser running 13 dogs 409 miles in/566 to Nome
Red lantern is held by rookie Jody Potts-Joseph of the bison encounter fame; resting in McGrath with 11 dogs 311 miles in/664 to Nome.
Speaking of Jody Potts-Joseph and the bison encounter, there was an interview with one of the "kids" that was following her - Sadie Lundquist - during her layover in McGrath. One the story is funny and two, okay, I'll say it, she is really cute.
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Anyway, back to the story. She was the third sled in line - Jody Potts-Joseph who first dealt with the bison, Sam Paperman, Sadie and then a couple of people behind her, including Adam Lindenmuth. Apparently, Judy and Sam both had automatic pistols for dealing with thing like moose and now I guess we need to add bison. Judy's automatic was just going 'click' and Sam's automatic also decided to just go 'click'. So they had nothing if they encountered the bison further up, which they eventually did. Sadie and Adam Lindenmuth both had revolvers. So she goes up to Judy with the 2 revolvers and says "here you go. You lead the way. Hopefully it goes well for you." (translation: no way in hell I'm going up there first).
So they get all the teams untangled and head out. Then, a couple of minutes later, she hears the 'boom, boom, boom' as they scare the bison off. And this makes all the dogs go nuts, so the teams are all tangled up again. Eventually all got through.
Yep, she's qualified.
I'mma need ya'll to take about 80% off there.
Friday morning, March 13 - happy Friday the 13th - at ~6:15 AM east coast/2:15 AM Alaska.
After resting his team in Cripple, Jessie did set out ~2.5 hours after Paige pulled through the checkpoint. Paige then rested her team on the trail, which allowed Jessie to pass her on the way to Ruby. Current standings are:
1. Jessie Holmes running 15 dogs 474 miles in/501 to Nome
2. Paige Drobny running 14 dogs 458 miles in/517 to Nome
3. Millie Porsild running 16 dogs 444 miles in/531 to Nome
4. Matt Hall running 13 dogs 441 miles in/534 to Nome
5. Jeff Deeter running 15 dogs 439 miles in/536 to Nome - big move up but Jeff as had not been near the front that I can remember
6. Ryan Redington resting on the trail with 16 dogs, 438 miles in/537 to Nome
7. Riley Dyche running 15 dogs 436 miles in/539 to Nome
8. Travis Beals running 15 dogs 436 miles in/539 to Nome
9. Wade Marrs running 12 dogs 434 miles in/541 to Nome
10. Michelle Phillips running 12 dogs 434 miles in/541 to Nome
Leaders should be in Ruby checkpoint at the start of the Yukon River leg later this morning
Red lantern position held by rookie Jody Potts-Joseph resting in Ophir, 352 miles in/623
Analyst video from last night discussing the race transitions and who they see as the favorites.
Jessie Holmes and Paige seemed to be the most dominant teams, but several others look good. Paige's team looked well-hydrated and Paige seemed to be happy with the team. She did take 17 minutes to get her supplies set up on the sled. Bruce Lee (analyst) said he would have liked to see her do it closer to 5 minutes than 17. Jessie had switched from green runners to black due to the very cold weather. Black helps absorb the heat and allows the runner to help melt the snow and let the sled slide through. Runners slide because they melt a tiny bit of snow and you slide on it. If too cold and the snow does not melt, it is like going through sand rather than snow.
Mille Porsild's team looked strong, Pete Kaiser is lurking within striking distance, and Travis Beals is looking good. Ryan Redington's team is looking great, but he has not been feeling well. Not sure if that means he is sick or feeling sore. Riley Dyche has been having good runs, but the timing of his runs and rest breaks have made it difficult for Bruce Lee the analysts to speak with him and judge how things are going.
Someone asked who looks good for rookie of the year in a Q&A session with questions submitted. Said Jesse Terry (currently in 20th) or Kevin Hansen (currently in 16th) are very likely to be the top rookie.
Weather is warming up. Overnight lows around -10 and daytime highs +10 expected. Temperatures had been -30 to -40 overnight (at Cripple, they said it hit -55), so will be less brutal for the mushers. More comfortable for the mushers and still not too hot for the dogs. If temperatures rise too much the trail gets mushy and slow, but the -10 to +10 range is not expected to be warm enough to slow down the trail. But guessing Jessie will switch away from the black runners.
Analysts also noted how getting to Ruby is one of the major transitions.
Start off on the lakes and rivers at the start.
Go over the Alaska Range with narrow trails up and down hill through forested lands.
Overland through the interior.
Once you get to the Yukon, it is straight along that until the Kaltag Portage. Pete Kaiser's team is supposed to be in their element in this area.
After that, you are along the sea coast and tundra the rest of the way.
I find myself wondering how the southern route compares to the northern route, so here they are, side by side:
Northern route:
Southern route:
So basically it's just the Ophir to Kaltag segment that is different, though I would swear that there was a race that we followed here that went from Kaltag down through Eagle Island to Grayling (?) and back up to Kaltag. I thought it strange that they were retracing their path along the race. Anybody remember this?
Figured it out. Per this article, the 2025 Iditarod moved it's starting point to Fairbanks due to a lack of snow around Anchorage. I guess the Kaltag to points south loop was added to make the course close to the appropriate length.
Both Paige & Jesse resting in Ruby as of 11:52 EST. Paige has been there for 1/2 hour and Jesse has been there for 2-1/2 hours. Next two closest are 20 miles back but due to rest at some point.
Update at 1:30 pm- per Squid Acres Kennel, Paige is doing her mandatory 8 hr layover at Ruby during the 'heat of the day. Will be able to leave around 7pm Est I believe.
Looks like Jesse is doing his 8 as well as he's been there 4.5 hours now.
Not gonna lie, I expected more scratches at this point in the race. I'm glad there's not though.
GoKartMozart, if you are feeling that there have been an unusually low number of scratches, you are 100% correct. This year is the fewest number of scratches this far into the race in history. Granted, the field is smaller than years ago, but still true that few scratches. It has been very cold this year. Some mushers said it is the coldest Iditarod they can remember. The cold is good for the dogs and it could be this has kept the dogs in good shape. From the Iditarod website:
"There's been a major milestone achieved in Iditarod 54. With all teams through the Galena checkpoint, there has been only one scratch. Perhaps the cold has contributed to this milestone. Back in Rainy Pass Jaye Foucher scratched citing personal reasons. She had experienced poor trail out of Skwentna, high winds near Finger Lake and a crash on the Happy River Steps that damaged her sled and caused her to lose a piece of mandatory gear. With that in her rearview mirror and the infamous Dalzell Gorge just ahead, Jaye thought it wise to call Rainy Pass her finish line.
Back in Iditarod 2024, all teams stayed on the trail to Ruby when rookie Erin Altemus from Grand Marais, MN scratched in the best interest of her dog team. The one scratch record at Ruby set in 2024 has now been extended to Galena!"
Friday evening, March 13 ~8:40 PM east coast/4:40 PM Alaska
Jessie and Paige continue to run 1 and 2. Riley Dyche is right behind Paige, but he has not done his 8-hour layover, so nowhere near as close as he looks. Several other top teams are in Ruby taking the 8-hours with Mille Porsild needing 2 more hours followed by Travis Beals and Ryan Redington, who both need ~4 more hours. Standings are:
1. Jessie Holmes running 14 dogs 520 mile in/454 to Nome
2. Paige Drobny running 14 dogs 505 miles in/470 to Nome
3. Riley Dyche running 15 dogs 502 miles in/473 to Nome
4. Mille Porsild resting in Ruby with 16 dogs, 495 miles in/480 to Nome
5. Ryan Redington resting in Ruby with 16 dogs, 495 miles in/480 to Nome
6. Travis Beals resting in Ruby with 15 dogs, 495 miles in/480 to Nome
7. Michelle Phillips resting in Ruby with 12 dogs, 495 miles in/480 to Nome
8. Jeff Deeter resting in Ruby with 15 dogs, 495 miles in/480 to Nome
9. Pete Kaiser resting in Ruby with 12 dogs, 495 miles in/480 to Nome
10. Matt Hall resting in Ruby with 13 dogs, 495 miles in/480 to Nome
Red lantern held by Jody Potts-Josephs running 11 dogs 397 miles in/578 to Nome
Interviews with Paige and the analysts video.
As mentioned above by Hokietopher, Paige and Jessie both decided to take their 8-hour layover in Ruby. Apparently, neither was planning on it originally. Wanted to go on to Galena, but plans changed. Jessie had wanted to do some long runs to see if Paige could keep up or if he would lose her. He said she seems to be in a different mindset this year. Did extend the gap a bit, but not by much. But after the long run into Ruby, he wanted to rest the team.
Paige was looking at the schedule. Said her clock was not working and Ryan gave her his watch to get the time. Pushing through to Galena would have meant running during the day and sleeping at night, while it is better for the dogs to be running at night when cooler given that temps are rising. Taking the 8 hours at Ruby gets her team's day-night rest-run schedule in synch. Dogs are doing great, but she is very tired and having a hard time staying awake.
Paige mentioned some equipment issues. The aforementioned clock, she knocked over her cooker, probably other things too.
While at Ruby, a raven kept trying, and sometimes succeeding, to steal food from Paige's dogs. 1 dog was trying to get it and eat it (failed) but is keeping the dogs from sleeping. Bruce or Greg (analyst and reporter) wondered if it was trained raven from Jessie to annoy Paige's dogs. Maybe it's a UVa raven. Who knows?
Screen shot of Paige back in Ruby with the frozen eye lashes and of the raven we need to shoot.
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They have firearms. Somebody pop a cap in that dirty bird!
Oh man, good point. Blast him!
Too close to the dogs.
You have no idea how bomb proof they are.
Oh I know. I was being cheeky.
Saturday morning March 13 ~9:15 AM east coast/5:15 AM Alaska. I just typed up the morning report, hit post and it disappeared. Blasted technology. Let's try it again.
It continues to be Jessie Holmes, then Paige, then everyone else. Jessie pulled into Galena last night at 7:51 PM Alaska/11:51 PM east coast with 14 dogs and was followed by Paige at 10:02 PM Alaska/2:02 AM east coast. Both rested their teams for just over 4.5 hours and decided to drop a dog in Galena before pulling out, Jessie at 12:28 AM Alaska/4:28 AM east coast and Paige at 2:35 AM Alaska/6:28 AM east coast. Most of the teams at the front have chosen to take an extended rest at Galena, either to do their 8-hour layover or to just get a multi-hour rest. The one exception so far is Riley Dyche, who spent only 6 minutes at the checkpoint. Standings as of ~8:50 AM east coast when I captured them are:
1. Jessie Holmes running 13 dogs 570 miles in/405 to Nome
2. Paige Drobny running 13 dogs 555 miles in/420 to Nome
3. Travis Beals running 15 dogs 551 miles in/424 to Nome
4. Riley Dyche resting on the trail with 15 dogs, 550 miles in/425 to Nome
5. Mille Porsild resting in Galena with 16 dogs, 545 miles in/430 to Nome
6. Michelle Phillips resting in Galena with 12 dogs, 545 miles in/430 to Nome
7. Wade Marrs resting in Galena with 12 dogs, 545 miles in/430 to Nome
8. Pete Kaiser resting in Galena with 11 dogs, 545 miles in/430 to Nome
9. Jeff Deeter resting in Galena with 15 dogs, 545 miles in/430 to Nome
10. Matt Hall resting in Galena with 12 dogs, 545 miles in/430 to Nome
Among the top 10, Jessie, Paige and Mille Porsild are the only ones that have completed their mandatory 8-hour layover along the Yukon River. Ryan Redington and Lauro Eklund (in 12th and 13th, respectively) have also completed their 8.
Red lantern position is held by rookie Jody Potts-Joseph, resting in Cripple with 11 dogs, 425 miles in/550 to Nome.
Interview with Paige while on her rest break in Galena and she talked about the trail being a little soft and slow. The analyst video from the prior day was thinking it probably would not be warm enough to slow things down, but sounds like it did a little bit. She noted that the dogs were not knocking her around as much as they normally do. That is good for comfort of the musher, but not good in that the dogs were a bit more subdued. Thinks it may be because they were running in much warmer temperatures during the day on the Ruby-to-Galena leg. Was certainly not warm, but warmer than it has been. She was hoping that after the rest in Galena and the Galena-Nulato leg being run at lower temperatures, the team will be more energetic. Said she plans to do the entire leg in one run, it is a fairly short one of 37 miles, but has to see how the team does.
By the way, happy Pi Day. Daughter and I will be getting pizza pie from one of my favorite places, Vito's in Cherry Hill, NJ, while my wife will be getting it from one of her favorite places, Franco's, later today. The Iditarod website lists Galena-to-Nulato as 37 miles (Paige is about halfway through the run now), Nulato-to-Kaltag as 47 miles and Nulato-Unalakleet as 85 miles. If anyone wants to send Paige a pizza, she'll probably be in Unalakleet tomorrow.
Little Bobby Tables had posted the link above for pizza delivery to the mushers - thank you LBT - but reposting here for visibility.
https://alaskapublic.org/iditarod/2024-03-11/this-unalakleet-restaurant-...
I plan to call in a pizza today when they open.
"Go Paige! Hokies are cheering for you!"
What kind are you getting? I should get something different for variety.
I was planning on the combo (as shown on the website) without the olives since they seem to be an ingredient most people disagree on
I hate to derail the thread but people don't like olives?
Here we go.....TKPing at its best.
And no I don't like olives. No problem with olive oil though. Go figure.
The pizza that my daughter and I got is black olives. Great topping.
pepperoni and olives is a frequent 2 topping go to for me. I also will do pepperoni and onions, pepperoni and green peppers, and of course pepperoni and pineapple
Olives are disgusting.
probably
Green olives are fantastic.
Black olives are an abomination unto the Lord
It's quite the other way around.
Olives are as horrible on pizza as pineapple is awesome. #TeamPineappleOnPizza
Don't be absurd.
Olives are terrible everywhere, not just pizza.
My "extra dirty" vodka martini with Bleu cheese stuffed olives would like a word!
Or in all those great Mediterranean dishes! But then again, we're not using your store brand canned olives which, admittedly, don't add much other than bad texture.
This^^^^ 100%. Yummy!
as long as its an extra dry martini, like the bartender looked at the unopened bottle of vermouth from across the room while making it.
This. Is. The. Only. Way.
This thread is proof I made the right call of no olives
Thanks. Will make sure to get something different.
Watching the live feed and Jessie Holmes just pulled into Nulato. 10:42 AM by my computer. Vet is looking at the dogs and Jessie getting his supplies set up. Expects to pull through.
GPS says Paige is 14 miles behind now.
EDIT: Jessie pulls out at 10:53 AM by my computer time.
Paige pulls into Nulato at 1:08 PM east coast by my computer. Just after sunrise. Said that she will stay in Nulato for a bit and will not push through.
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At the risk of being a downer, I think Paige is in a race for 2nd. Nothing wrong with that, but if she is not going to move on, Jessie will have a big lead. She is about 25 miles back from Jessie and seems to be losing ground slightly. Ahead of Mille Porsild, currently in 6th by about 25 miles as well. Mille has also completed her 8 hours.
Riley Dyche, Travie Beals and Wade Marrs in 3rd to 5th (5 to 20 miles back from Paige), but they still need to do their 8-hour break. Even taking into account that Paige will be taking rests as well, she'll probably have 4 hours or so of additional run time vs. the 3 of them.
She's still kicking a$$!
Saturday evening, March 14 10:16 PM east coast/6:16 PM Alaska.
Jessie Holmes continues to lead and is the only musher to have gotten past Kaltag and off the Yukon. Analyst video notes that Jessie likes to stay at shelter cabins along the trail and avoid staying in the checkpoints. They suspect he may not stay in another checkpoint until reaching White Mountain, where they need to take a final 8-hour break. They mentioned that Paige and those after her are running out of time and remaining distance to catch Jessie unless he makes a mistake, has an issue with his team or a storm comes in along the coast that will stop him and allow others to catch up. Not over yet, but running out of time. Current standings:
1. Jessie Holmes running 13 dogs 638 miles in/337 to Nome
2. Paige Drobny running 13 dogs 615 miles in/360 to Nome
3. Mille Porsild running 15 dogs 591 mile in/384 to Nome
4. Travis Beals resting in Nulato with 15 dogs, 582 miles in/393 to Nome
5. Riley Dyche resting in Nulato with 15 dogs, 582 miles in/393 to Nome
6. Wade Marrs resting in Nulato with 12 dogs, 582 miles in/393 to Nome
7. Michelle Phillips resting in Nulato with 12 dogs, 582 miles in/393 to Nome
8. Matt Hall resting in Nulato with 12 dogs, 582 miles in/393 to Nome
9. Ryan Redington resting in Nulato with 12 dogs, 582 miles in/393 to Nome
10. Jeff Deeter resting in Nulato with 12 dogs, 582 miles in/393 to Nome
Red lantern position held by Grayson Bruton, running 11 dogs 491 miles in/484 to Nome
So its not over, but its over.
I mean, anything can happen. One of Dallas Seavey's wins, Jeff King and Aliy Zirkle were in a 2 person race right at the end and a storm blew in. Jeff was knocked out of the race after needing outside help and Aliy holed up at the Safety Roadhouse to wait out the storm. Dallas was well behind in third but went through. He finished and had no idea Jeff had to drop out or that he passed Aliy.
But it does seem like the other teams are running out of time and distance to be able to catch Jessie based on what they/their team does. Soon it will be at the point where either Jessie/his team need to falter or mother nature needs to intervene.
Any weather report info for that area available?
As of yesterday, they said weather was expected to be pretty good (by Bearing Sea standards) over the next few days. Have not heard any updates since then.
Sunday, March 15 at ~1:10 PM east coast. Sorry for the delayed posting today.
Jessie Holmes continues to lead as is approaching the sea coast at Unalakleet. Interview with him noted what he plans to do:
"While in Galena, Jessie Holmes shared a bit of strategy with fans regarding his run along the coast. Jessie hopes to pass through both Unalakleet and Shaktoolik by camping at a little cabin in the Blue Berry Hills situated between the first two checkpoints on the coast." To set up the run/rest schedule to do this, he camped on the trail between Nulato and Kaltag as well as on the trail from Kaltag to Unalakleet.
Paige's team caught up to him while he was camping before Unalakleet. Jessie pulled out about 2 AM Alaska/6 AM east coast while Paige was resting her team. Meanwhile, Travis Beals' team charged up and into 3rd place. He stopped briefly where Paige was, and then they both started around 5 AM Alaska/9 AM east coast. They have been running close to each other since then. Not sure if they are purposely running together or just happen to be on the same schedule.
Standings at ~1:10 PM east coast are:
1. Jessie Holmes running 13 dogs 710 miles in/265 to Nome
2. Paige Drobny running 13 dogs 688 miles in/287 to Nome
3. Travis Beals running 14 dogs 688 miles in/287 to Nome
4. Riley Dyche running 15 dogs 665 miles in/310 to Nome
5. Mille Porsild running 15 dogs 662 miles in/313 to Nome
6. Wade Marrs running 11 dogs 658 miles in/317 to Nome
7. Jeff Deeter running 13 dogs 650 miles in/325 to Nome
8. Michelle Phillips running 11 dogs 645 miles in/330 to Nome
9. Matt Hall running 11 dogs 643 miles in/332 to Nome
10. Ryan Redington running 12 dogs 641 miles in/334 to Nome
Red lantern position is held by rookie Jody Potts-Joseph, running 11 dogs 525 miles in/450 to Nome
And Jessie is into Unalakleet now. Paige 22 miles behind him. Travis Beals, who did not stop and rest long where Jessie and Paige camped, is not stopped and resting on the trail, 4 miles behind Paige.
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Several screen shots from drones or ground cameras of Paige approaching Kaltag, at the checkpoint and pulling out of Kaltag. She was only there briefly for the check in before pulling out.
I so hope to have a chance to volunteer at one of these checkpoints one day.
I know nothing about the Iditarod except it is ass-kicking cold up there. But I have been religiously following along in this thread especially as the VT softball and baseball teams have fallen flat on their faces. And the MBB is just depressing.
Thanks to any and all that have been providing the updates and tracking Paige's progress. Go Paige.
Not someone who is actually in the race, but someone that was acting as an Expedition musher and watching over Kjell Rokke has dropped out at Unalakleet. From the Iditarod website:
"2026 Iditarod Expedition musher Thomas Wærner (bib #13) of Torpa, Norway, has chosen to conclude his Iditarod Expedition at the Unalakleet checkpoint after several dogs on the team showed symptoms of kennel cough. After consulting with their veterinarians, Wærner and the team are prioritizing the well-being of his dog team as the guiding factor in his decision."
My quarterly reminder to everyone.
Don't F around with kennel cough
Not familiar with it. Guess it is some potentially fast-spreading virus?
It is and makes it hard for dogs to breath just sitting still. There's a really effective vaccine kinda surprised theses dogs wouldn't have the vaccine
Sunday night, ~10:25 PM east coast/6:25 PM Alaska.
Jessie Holmes continues to lead, but Travis Beals' team has surged up into second place. Jessie and Paige both rested their teams extensively in Unalakleet (kind of surprising for Jessie as he said he likes to rest at a cabin in the Blueberry Hills past Unalakleet and had mentioned that earlier in the race). Jessie rested his team for 6 hours there and Paige rested her team for 5 hours. Travis' team blew right through. He'll have to rest them on the trail to Shaktoolik at some point, but the team is really surging. Analyst interview and Bruce Lee noted that Travis' team looked to be the most alert of the top 3 and he seemed really into it. Current standings are:
1. Jessie Holmes running 13 dogs 732 miles in/243 to Nome
2. Travis Beals running 13 dogs 729 miles in/246 to Nome
3. Paige Drobny running 12 dogs 718 miles in/257 to Nome
4. Mille Porsild resting in Unalakleet with 15 dogs, 714 miles in/261 to Nome
5. Riley Dyche resting in Unalakleet with 15 dogs, 714 miles in/261 to Nome
6. Wade Marrs resting in Unalakleet with 11 dogs, 714 miles in/261 to Nome
7. Jeff Deeter running 13 dogs 712 miles in/263 to Nome (actually, Jeff is now in Unalakleet. Was on the trail when I captured the location, but by the time I got done typing, the GPS said he was in Unalakleet
8. Ryan Redington running 12 dogs 704 miles in/271 to Nome
9. Matt Hall resting on the trail, 695 miles in/280 to Nome
10. Michelle Phillips running 11 dogs 683 miles in/292 to Nome
Red lantern position is held by Grayson Bruton, running 10 dogs 559 mile in/416 to Nome
Combination of the analyst interview, interview with Paige when she was in Unalakleet and an article posted by someone further back in the race.
Paige noted that she is looking forward to seeing the sunset as she leave Unalakleet and heads up into the Blueberry Hills. Sadly, no mention of any pizza :-(. Reporter noted that she did catch up to Jessie at a cabin between Kaltag and Unalakleet and he asked what they talked about. She said she had to sleep and really didn't speak much with him. He left when she went to sleep. She did note that the trail was windy and it led to some ground storms. Not snowing, but the wind blowing the snow made it like a storm. During the interview, you could hear that it was a still breeze at Unalakleet, but the sky was clear and the day looked nice.
Asked her about catching Jessie and she said that the team might be able to do so, but it takes some ego from the musher to try it. If the perfect opportunity arose, she would be in a position to take advantage of it and go for the win, but otherwise no. Winning is not that important and she is not going to try and push the dogs beyond what they can comfortably do. I say, thumbs up to that. She then, point blank, said an "event" would need to happen for Jessie not to win. Think the interview was before Travis barreled through. She discussed the dog's diet and said they need 15,000 calories a day - something she joked would give your family dog pancreatitis if you fed them that much. Feeding them beef fat, then pork belly, then a premade meal cut into snack size, then chicken skin, then something else she could not even remember in her sleep-deprived state.
Speaking of Travis Beals, analyst Bruce Lee said that his team looked the best of the top group and that he looked focus. If anyone is going to challenge Jessie, he may be the one. Bruce noted that there are really only 4 more runs for the top teams to make:
Unalakleet to Shaktoolik
Shaktoolik over the sea ice of Norton Sound to Koyuk
Koyuk to White Mountain, where you have a mandatory 8-hour layover to make sure no one pushes a team too hard near the end
White Mountain to Nome
Not many runs for a team to make up a gap of 2+ hours. He noted that the average speed of Jessie, Paige and Travis was pretty similar, so catching up could center on being able to trim 10 or 15 minutes off of rest breaks if your team has enough gas in the tank. Seems like Travis' team has had that recently. We will see if that pace can continue or not.
Question submitted to Greg and Bruce on the analyst interview was when they thought the winner would arrive. They guessed Tuesday afternoon or early evening Alaska time, so Tuesday evening or Tuesday night east coast.
Monday morning, March 16 at ~8:30 AM east coast/4:30 AM Alaska.
Jessie Holmes is on his way across the Norton Sound sea ice to Koyuk. Travis Beals has established himself as the clear #2. Mille Porsild and Wade Marrs have also closed up the gap with Paige. Hoping she can stay in the top 5, which would be pretty impressive given the strong field and that she had not been able to do much mushing the past few months with her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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Current standings as of ~8:30 AM east coast are:
1. Jessie Holmes running 13 dogs 778 miles in/197 to Nome
2. Travis Beals running 13 dogs 761 miles in/214 to Nome
3. Paige Drobny resting in Shaktoolik with 12 dogs, 754 miles in/221 to Nome
4. Mille Porsild running 15 dogs 752 miles in/223 to Nome
5. Wade Marrs running 11 dogs 747 miles in/228 to Nome
6. Jeff Deeter running 13 dogs 742 miles in/233 to Nome
7. Matt Hall running 11 dogs 739 miles in/236 to Nome
8. Riley Dyche running 13 dogs 739 miles in/236 to Nome
9. Ryan Redington resting in Unalakleet with 12 dogs, 714 miles in/261 to Nome
10. Michelle Phillips resting in Unalakleet with 12 dogs, 714 miles in/261 to Nome
Red lantern position held by Grayson Bruton resting in Nulato with 10 dogs, 582 miles in/393 to Nome
Looking at rookie of the year, the current rookie leader is Sam Martin in 16th place, 679 miles in/296 to Nome and resting on the trail with 13 dogs. Close behind and also resting on the trail is Kevin Hansen in 18th place, resting on the trail with 14 dogs, 676 miles in/299 to Nome. Next rookie is Jesse Terry in 22nd place, resting on the trail with 10 dogs, 658 miles in/317 to Nome.
I gotta ask - Paige is down 4 dogs - where exactly are they?
They drop them off at checkpoints. The vet or their kennel probably have them.
Shot of Paige's team early this morning crossing the sea ice. I think this is just before making landfall at Koyuk, but it might be just after getting onto the ice. Can see the land right there with the sunrise, so has to be right by shore.
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Interview with her in Koyuk and she noted that the trail from Shaktoolik was slow with sticky snow. Team was moving slow because of it. Her plan is to go to Elim and rest there instead of trying to push straight through from Koyuk to White Mountain without a substantial rest. Said the dogs are eating well, but she did have to drop 1 of her leaders who just didn't seem to want to lead anymore.
Interview with Travis Beals in Koyuk too. His mother passed away recently and has been tough on him. Had to leave the interview after getting emotional when Bruce Lee played him a recorded message from his wife and son. Prior to that he expressed frustration with position in 2nd. Feels he had a team to win this year and if they were not nearing the end, could catch Jessie, but feels he will just run out of time.
Monday night March 16 ~10:30 PM east coast/6:30 PM Alaska and the standings are:
1. Jessie Holmes resting in Elim with 12 dogs, 852 miles in/123 to Nome
2. Travis Beals running 12 dogs 823 miles in/152 to Nome
3. Wade Marrs running 10 dogs 811 miles in/164 to Nome
4. Paige Drobny resting in Koyuk with 11 dogs, 804 miles in/171 to Nome Has a shot at a top 5 finish and, barring something bad, should easily be top 10
5. Jeff Deeter resting in Koyuk with 12 dogs, 804 miles in/171 to Nome
6. Mille Porsild resting in Koyuk with 15 dogs, 804 miles in/171 to Nome
7. Matt Hall running 10 dogs 797 miles in/178 to Nome
8. Riley Dyche running 13 dogs 793 miles in/182 to Nome
9. Michelle Phillips running 10 dogs 762 miles in/213 to Nome
10. Lauro Eklund resting on the trail with 13 dogs 755 miles in/220 to Nome
Red lantern position is held by Grayson Bruton running 10 dogs 630 miles in/345 to Nome
EDIT: and Paige pulled out of Koyuk in 4th place with 10 dogs at 6:39 PM Alaska/10:39 PM Alaska
Tuesday morning, March 17 at ~6:10 AM east coast/2:10 AM Alaska - Happy St. Patrick's Day
Jessie Holmes is approaching the checkpoint at White Mountain. Should be there within the hour. All teams have a mandatory 8-hour layover there before the final ~55 mile run from White Mountain to Safety Road House and ~22 miles from Safety to Nome. Travis Beals has pulled out of Elim in second and Paige moved back into 3rd on her run last night. Standings are:
Current standings as of ~8:30 AM east coast are:
1. Jessie Holmes running 12 dogs 887 miles in/88 to Nome
2. Travis Beals running 13 dogs 864 miles in/111 to Nome
3. Paige Drobny resting in Elim with 10 dogs, 852 miles in/123 to Nome
4. Jeff Deeter resting in Elim with 12 dogs 852 miles in/123 to Nome
5. Wade Marrs running 10 dogs 840 miles in/135 to Nome
6. Mille Porsild running 14 dogs 823 miles in/152 to Nome
7. Matt Hall running 10 dogs 822 miles in/153 to Nome
8. Riley Dyche running 12 dogs 809 miles in/166 to Nome
9. Michelle Phillips resting in Koyuk with 10 dogs, 804 miles in/171 to Nome
10. Lauro Eklund resting in Koyuk with 13 dogs, 804 miles in/171 to Nome
Red lantern position held by rookie Jody Potts-Joseph resting on the trail with 10 dogs, 658 miles in/317 to Nome
Tuesday evening ~6:10 PM east coast/2:10 PM Alaska and Jessie Holmes is on the trail from White Mountain to Safety. Barring something unforeseen, he will be winning his second consecutive Iditarod sometime tonight. Many other teams are in White Mountain completing their 8-hour layover. Current leaderboard is:
1. Jessie Holmes running 12 dogs 918 miles in/57 to Nome
Next 4 all in White Mountain 898 miles in/77 to Nome
2. Travis Beals with 11 dogs; he is eligible to leave at 3:07 PM Alaska/7:07 PM east coast
3. Jeff Deeter with 12 dogs; he is eligible to leave at 7:21 PM Alaska/11:21 PM east coast
4. Paige Drobny with 10 dogs; she is eligible to leave at 7:35 PM Alaska/11:35 east coast
5. Wade Marrs with 9 dogs; he is eligible to leave at 8:03 PM Alaska/12:03 AM Wednesday east coast
After the, we have ...
6. Matt Hall running 9 dogs 871 miles in/104 to Nome
7. Riley Dyche running 12 dogs 858 miles in/117 to Nome
8. Mille Porsild resting in Elim with no number of dogs listed (not sure what is going on there), 852 miles in/123 to Nome
9. Michelle Phillips resting in Elim with 10 dogs, 852 miles in/123 to Nome
10. Lauro Eklund resting in Elim with 13 dogs, 852 miles in/123 to Nome
Paige should finish sometime tomorrow in 3rd, 4th or 5th. Something bad would need to happen upfront for her to pass Jessie or Travis and something bad would need to happen to her to drop below 5th.
Red lantern position held by rookie Jodi Potts-Joseph, resting on the trail with 10 dogs, 658 miles in/317 to Nome
Oh shoot. Mille Porsild and Jodi Potts-Joseph have both scratched. They were both still listed on the GPS, but I saw the articles after posting the above.
Mille scratched in Elim due to rule 42, which is the worst possible outcome of having a dog die. Do not have any more details beyond she scratched due to rule 42.
Jodi Potts-Joseph scratched in the best interest of her team. From Iditarod website:
"Rookie Iditarod musher Jody Potts-Joseph (bib #32) of Eagle Village, Alaska, scratched from the 2026 Iditarod at 11:19 a.m. today at the Tripod Flats Cabin, located between Kaltag and Unalakleet, in the best interest of her team.
Potts-Joseph communicated her decision to ITC Race Officials via two-way communication, and ITC personnel are assisting her with the safe transport of her 10-dog team to Unalakleet via snow machine.
The Iditarod Trail Committee recognizes Potts-Joseph's determination, dedication, and sportsmanship throughout this year's race and looks forward to seeing her back on the Trail in the future."
Yeah, I saw that article, too.
Thanks for keeping us up to date, and reminding us that this is going on!
I'm guessing Jessie will finish around midnight Alaska time.
Millie lost a dog.
Crazy. I was wondering if she was going to make a push as she had the most dogs left in the top ten at one of the updates.
Tuesday night, March 17 at ~11:55 PM east coast and Jessie Holmes is past the Safety Roadhouse checkpoint, running 12 dogs, 961 miles in/14 to Nome. Should be there within a couple of hours, but I'm too tired to stay up.
Paige pulled out of White Mountain about 20 minutes ago with 10 dogs. In 4th place and 3 miles behind Jeff Deeter for #3. Wade Marrs is still in White Mountain, 2 miles behind Paige and will be able to leave in about 5 minutes.
Had a video of Paige coming into White Mountain. Nothing posted showing her leave yet. But the did a gear check and it made me try and remember the required gear everyone needs to always have. I missed a bunch of them. Rule 16 states the required material. If you get to a gear check, including at Nome, you have to show all of them. From the Iditarod site, albeit an old post from 2024.
"What is mandatory gear? Rule 16 of the 2024 Iditarod Race Rules states:
Rule 16 — Mandatory Items: A musher must have with him/her the following items at all times, from the Restart until the teams finish in Nome. These mandatory items are not required during the ceremonial start:
Proper cold weather sleeping bag weighing a minimum of 5 lbs.
Ax, head to weigh a minimum of 1-3/4 lbs., handle to be at least 22" long.
One operational pair of snowshoes with bindings, each snowshoe to be at least 252 square inches in size.
Any promotional material provided by the Iditarod Trail Committee.
Eight booties for each dog in the sled or in use.
One operational cooker and pot capable of boiling at least three (3) gallons of water at one time.
Veterinarian notebook, to be presented to the veterinarian at each checkpoint.
An adequate amount of fuel to bring three (3) gallons of water to a boil.
Functional non-chafing harness for each dog in team and a functional neckline.
An insulated dog coat for each dog in the team that can be used while running and or resting."
Grayson Bruton has also scratched at Unalakleet:
"Veteran Iditarod musher Grayson Bruton (bib #37) of Tok, Alaska, scratched at the Unalakleet checkpoint at 6:16 p.m. today, in the best interest of his team. Bruton had 10 dogs in harness when he arrived at the checkpoint.
The Iditarod Trail Committee commends Bruton for his determination, dedication, and exemplary sportsmanship throughout this year's race, and looks forward to welcoming him back to the Trail in the future."
This leaves rookie Adam Lindenmuth in the red lantern position, running 13 dogs, 740 miles in/235 to Nome.
Wednesday morning, March 18 ~5:30 AM east coast/1:30AM Alaska
Jessie Holmes officially captured his second consecutive Iditarod title, crossing under the burled arches in Nome at 9:32 PM last night Alaska time/1:32 AM east coast. His final time was 9 days, 7 hours, 32 minutes and 51 seconds. He also won every single one of the on-trail awards for being first to the location the award is given. Pretty dominant from start to finish. 4 teams are on the way to Nome, while 6 more are in White Mountain. Standings are:
1. Jessie Holmes in Nome with 12 dogs
2. Travis Beals running 10 dogs 970 miles in/5 to Nome
3. Jeff Deeter running 9 dogs 947 miles in/28 to Nome
4. Paige Drobny running 10 dogs 943 miles in/32 to Nome
5. Wade Marrs running 6 dogs 930 miles in/45 to Nome
6. Matt Hall resting in White Mountain with 9 dogs, 898 miles in/77 to Nome
7. Riley Dyche resting in White Mountain with 12 dogs, 898 miles in/77 to Nome
8. Michelle Phillips resting in White Mountain with 10 dogs, 898 miles in/77 to Nome
9. Lauro Eklund resting in White Mountain with 13 dogs, 898 miles in/77 to Nome
10. Pete Kaiser resting in White Mountain with 8 dogs, 898 miles in/77 to Nome
Red lantern position is held by rookie Adam Lindenmuth resting in Shaktoolik with 13 dogs, 754 miles in/221 to Nome
At the pace Paige is going, she should be into Nome in a little less than 4 hours. Maybe around 9-10 AM east coast. I may be at my doctor's appointment then and miss the finish, but will try and post some screen shots of the video recording when she comes in and the video is up.
Some screen shots of Jessie arriving and at the finish.
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That dog is so tired and really wants to know if they did a good job.
You're definitely a good boy.
And Travis Beals pulled in just before 6 AM east coast/just before 2 AM Alaska.
Off to work now, then my cardiologist later this morning. Catch everyone later.
Whoo hoo! Made it back in time. Jeff Deeter is listed 3 miles out and Paige 6. Both should arrive within the hour.
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GO PAIGE GO! YOU CAN CATCH HIM!
Alas, Jeff pulls in, unofficially by my computer, at 9:11 AM east coast/5:11 AM Alaska. Paige listed at 5 miles out now.
Stupid ravens and their stupid food stealing dog bothering selves
Paige pulls into Nome in 4th place at an unofficial/my computer time of 9:39 AM east coast/5:39 AM Alaska with 10 dogs in harness. This marks her 5th top 10 finish and top 5 finishes in 2024 (5th), 2025 (3rd) and 2026 (4th). Pretty darn impressive run this year for someone recovering from breast cancer surgery and not being able to do much training leading up to the race.
Congrats to Paige and her whole team and support crew!
Now I have to stop pretending that I am still at my doctor's appointment and get back to work.
Couldn't get any good screen captures on the live feed as she came in. Will get some from the video when it is posted on the Iditarod site.
Thanks for doing this again this year Frosty!
All of TKP during every Iditarod:
Frosty's Dad: You do us a great service following and sharing this with us all every year and we love this! Thanks a bunch!
Paige did an absolutely fantastic job this year - especially under the circumstances. We all wish her the best in her continued recovery.
Let's! Go! Hokies!!
Well said smitty.
Thanks Frosty's Dad
Way to go Paige!
And here's a handy chart of Frosty's Dad's Turkey Leg count during the Iditarod...
I definitely contribute to that.
Seriously, this becomes such a cool thing to follow and cheer for. I kept the tracker up on my browser the last week and think it's great that Frosty shares their passion with us but has done it in such a great way that gets so many people also excited about it.
Thank you everyone. It has been a blast sharing the race with people all these years.
Wednesday evening ~10:55 PM east coast/6:55 PM Alaska
As the old saying goes, 'It ain't over til it's over.' And it is not over! Top 10 teams are all in Nome, but there are still 20 more on the trail. Hanna Lyrek is 1 mile out and will probably have arrived before I finish tying this up.
Race doesn't end until the last musher on the trail scratches or claims the Red Lantern Award as the last to finish. Current standings are:
1. Jessie Holmes in Nome in a time of 9 days, 7 hours, 32 minutes, 51 seconds; average speed = 4.31 mph
2. Travis Beals in Nome in a time of 9 days, 11 hours, 58 minutes, 26 seconds; average speed = 4.23 mph
3. Jeff Deeter in Nome in a time of 9 days, 15 hours, 10 minutes, 37 seconds; average speed = 4.17 mph
4. Paige Drobny in Nome in a time of 9 days, 15 hours, 38 minutes, 48 seconds; average speed = 4.16 mph
5. Wade Marrs in Nome in a time of 9 days, 21 hours, 2 minutes, 28 seconds; average speed = 4.07 mph
6. Matt Hall in Nome in a time of 9 days, 23 hours, 27 minutes, 58 seconds; average speed = 4.03 mph
7. Riley Dyche in Nome in a time of 10 days, 1 hour, 27 minutes, 30 seconds; average speed = 3.99 mph
8. Lauro Eklund in Nome in a time of 10 days, 3 hours, 19 minutes, 49 seconds; average speed = 3.96 mph
9. Pete Kaiser in Nome in a time of 10 days, 3 hours, 35 minutes, 32 seconds; average speed = 3.96 mph
10. Michelle Phillips in Nome in a time of 10 days, 3 hours, 40 minutes, 40 seconds; average speed = 3.96 mph
AND YES - Hanna Lyrek just pulled into Nome to finish in 11th
Race for rookie of the year is going to come down to
Jessie Terry running 12 dogs 903 miles in/72 to Nome
Sam Martin resting in White Mountain with 10 dogs, 898 miles in/77 to Nome and he is eligible to leave in ~5 minutes
Red lantern position is held by rookie Adam Lindemuth, running 12 dogs 828 miles in/147 to Nome
Some screen shots of Paige coming in and at the finish line. Brief talk and she said the dogs were fantastic and eating everything. The team around her (human team, that is) did a lot of the work when she was recovering, so she could just focus on herself. Noted that dog mushing teaches you a lot about adversity and mental health challenges, so the illness was just "another blip in the roadmap" playing things down.
Noted that she was in-tune withe dogs and made sure to rein it in if she was pushing them too hard.
Said her favorite spot on the trail was along the coast. Her run times had her seeing a lot of sunrises or sunsets - one of those was posted earlier on the thread crossing the sea ice.
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Thursday morning ~6:05 AM east coast/2:05 AM Alaska
More teams coming in. Current standings are:
1. Jessie Holmes in Nome in a time of 9 days, 7 hours, 32 minutes, 51 seconds; average speed = 4.31 mph
2. Travis Beals in Nome in a time of 9 days, 11 hours, 58 minutes, 26 seconds; average speed = 4.23 mph
3. Jeff Deeter in Nome in a time of 9 days, 15 hours, 10 minutes, 37 seconds; average speed = 4.17 mph
4. Paige Drobny in Nome in a time of 9 days, 15 hours, 38 minutes, 48 seconds; average speed = 4.16 mph
5. Wade Marrs in Nome in a time of 9 days, 21 hours, 2 minutes, 28 seconds; average speed = 4.07 mph
6. Matt Hall in Nome in a time of 9 days, 23 hours, 27 minutes, 58 seconds; average speed = 4.03 mph
7. Riley Dyche in Nome in a time of 10 days, 1 hour, 27 minutes, 30 seconds; average speed = 3.99 mph
8. Lauro Eklund in Nome in a time of 10 days, 3 hours, 19 minutes, 49 seconds; average speed = 3.96 mph
9. Pete Kaiser in Nome in a time of 10 days, 3 hours, 35 minutes, 32 seconds; average speed = 3.96 mph
10. Michelle Phillips in Nome in a time of 10 days, 3 hours, 40 minutes, 40 seconds; average speed = 3.96 mph
11. Hanna Lyrek in Nome in a time of 10 days, 5 hours, 3 minutes, 55 seconds; average speed = 3.93 mph
12. Jessie Royer in Nome in a time of 10 days, 6 hours, 45 minutes, 15 seconds; average speed = 3.91 mph
13. Ryan Redington in Nome in a time of 10 days, 7 hours, 2 minutes, 20 seconds; average speed = 3.90 mph
Race for rookie of the year should go to Jesse Terry, who is past Safety Roadhouse and on the final leg in 14th
Jesse Terry running 12 dogs 962 miles in/13 to Nome
Sam Martin is more than 15 miles behind Jesse
Red lantern position is held by rookie Adam Lindemuth, resting in Elim with 12 dogs, 852 miles in/123 to Nome
Thursday evening, March 19 at ~8:05 PM east coast time/4:05 Alaska.
Things are definitely winding down. 20 teams a have arrived in Nome and of the 10 still on the course, 9 of them are in White Mountain doing their 8 hour layover. We should be over sometime tomorrow. Leaderboard looks like this:
1. Jessie Holmes in Nome in a time of 9 days, 7 hours, 32 minutes, 51 seconds; average speed = 4.31 mph
2. Travis Beals in Nome in a time of 9 days, 11 hours, 58 minutes, 26 seconds; average speed = 4.23 mph
3. Jeff Deeter in Nome in a time of 9 days, 15 hours, 10 minutes, 37 seconds; average speed = 4.17 mph
4. Paige Drobny in Nome in a time of 9 days, 15 hours, 38 minutes, 48 seconds; average speed = 4.16 mph
5. Wade Marrs in Nome in a time of 9 days, 21 hours, 2 minutes, 28 seconds; average speed = 4.07 mph
6. Matt Hall in Nome in a time of 9 days, 23 hours, 27 minutes, 58 seconds; average speed = 4.03 mph
7. Riley Dyche in Nome in a time of 10 days, 1 hour, 27 minutes, 30 seconds; average speed = 3.99 mph
8. Lauro Eklund in Nome in a time of 10 days, 3 hours, 19 minutes, 49 seconds; average speed = 3.96 mph
9. Pete Kaiser in Nome in a time of 10 days, 3 hours, 35 minutes, 32 seconds; average speed = 3.96 mph
10. Michelle Phillips in Nome in a time of 10 days, 3 hours, 40 minutes, 40 seconds; average speed = 3.96 mph
11. Hanna Lyrek in Nome in a time of 10 days, 5 hours, 3 minutes, 55 seconds; average speed = 3.93 mph
12. Jessie Royer in Nome in a time of 10 days, 6 hours, 45 minutes, 15 seconds; average speed = 3.91 mph
13. Ryan Redington in Nome in a time of 10 days, 7 hours, 2 minutes, 20 seconds; average speed = 3.90 mph
14. Jesse Terry captures rookie of the year as the first rookie to Nome in 10 days, 13 hours, 36 minutes, 3 seconds; average speed = 3.80 mph. Hey, that's an award Jessie Holmes did not win this year!
15. Sam Martin in Nome in a time of 10 days, 16 hours, 59 minutes, 16 seconds; average speed = 3.75 mph
16. Josi (Thyr) Shelley in Nome in a time of 10 days, 17 hours, 0 minutes, 38 seconds; average speed = 3.75 mph
17. Bailey Vitello in Nome in a time of 10 days, 17 hours, 13 minutes, 11 seconds; average speed = 3.75 mph
18. Gabe Dunham in Nome in a time of 10 days, 18 hours, 25 minutes, 7 seconds; average speed = 3.73 mph
19. Rohn Buser in Nome in a time of 10 days, 20 hours, 33 minutes, 41 seconds; average speed = 3.70 mph
20. Chad Stoddard in Nome in a time of 10 days, 20 hours, 42 minutes, 9 seconds; average speed = 3.70 mph
Red lantern position is held by rookie Adam Lindenmuth, who is the only remaining musher not yet to reach White Mountain. Running 12 dogs 889 miles in/86 to Nome. 9 miles from White Mountain, so should get to the checkpoint in less than 2 hours.
15 and 16 were actually a race, just about a minute difference.
Friday morning, March 20 at ~7:55 AM east coast/3:55 AM Alaska.
Rookie Adam Lindenmuth, who had held the red lantern position, scratched last night in White Mountain. All remaining teams are resting in White Mountain and there have been no new finishes. From the Iditarod website:
"Rookie Iditarod musher Adam Lindenmuth (bib #2) of Willow, Alaska, scratched from Iditarod 54 today after activating his help button at 4:49 p.m., just miles outside of the White Mountain checkpoint. Race officials on snowmachine helped guide Lindenmuth and his team to the White Mountain checkpoint where he officially scratched at 6:50 p.m. today in the best interest of his team. Lindenmuth had 12 in harness when he arrived at the checkpoint, all in good health.
The Iditarod Trail Committee recognizes Lindemuth's remarkable resilience and grit, carrying him nearly 900 miles across the 975-mile trail. His unwavering commitment to putting his dog team first—even so close to the finish—embodies the true spirit of the Iditarod, and we look forward to welcoming him back to the trail in the future."
Rookie Sam Paperman, resting with 12 dogs in White Mountain, is now the red lantern position holder.
Several of the teams have been in White Mountain way longer than 8 hours. Did not see any official news, but in the Insider chat, people have noted that there was bad weather and it was suggested that they wait until today. That would make sense:
"barbs94: Bad weather @MSKYBAY it was reccomended they stay until today
They didnt have to stay. The mushers all agreed that it was a good idea."
And I did see on Iditarod Facebook mention of the storm. This was before the latest scratch. 9 teams left now:
"As we wait for the storm to pass and the final 10 mushers make their push to Nome, it's the perfect moment to recognize a partner who stands with them every mile—Lynden. ❄️🐾
For five years, Lynden has proudly supported The Last Great Race and is the proud presenter of the Lynden "Committed to the Last Mile" Red Lantern Award—honoring the grit, perseverance, and determination it takes to reach the finish line, no matter the conditions. 🏮
This year's Red Lantern recipient will receive a $1,000 prize and the honor of extinguishing the widow's lamp beneath the Burled Arch—marking the official end of the race.
Thank you, Lynden, for your continued partnership and for celebrating the true spirit of every musher who refuses to quit. 💪"
I wonder what the odds are that we see Paige race again?
Looks like the weather has cleared. The 9 teams that were in White Mountain have all pulled out. First to go was rookie Sadie Lundquist with 9 dogs at 9:09 AM Alaska/1:09 PM east coast. Last to pull out was rookie Brenda Mackey with 10 dogs and 10:26 AM Alaska/2:26 PM east coast.
Saturday morning, March 21.
And it is a final. Rookie Richie Beattie pulled into Nome at 7:49 PM Alaska time on Friday, March 20/11:49 PM east coast with 8 dogs to claim the red lantern award as the final musher to complete the 54th Iditarod. There was a post-race interview with Paige posted, but it was over 40 minutes and have not had a chance to listen yet. Will get that and summarize later today. Final standings are:
1. Jessie Holmes in Nome in a time of 9 days, 7 hours, 32 minutes, 51 seconds; average speed = 4.31 mph
2. Travis Beals in Nome in a time of 9 days, 11 hours, 58 minutes, 26 seconds; average speed = 4.23 mph
3. Jeff Deeter in Nome in a time of 9 days, 15 hours, 10 minutes, 37 seconds; average speed = 4.17 mph
4. Paige Drobny in Nome in a time of 9 days, 15 hours, 38 minutes, 48 seconds; average speed = 4.16 mph
5. Wade Marrs in Nome in a time of 9 days, 21 hours, 2 minutes, 28 seconds; average speed = 4.07 mph
6. Matt Hall in Nome in a time of 9 days, 23 hours, 27 minutes, 58 seconds; average speed = 4.03 mph
7. Riley Dyche in Nome in a time of 10 days, 1 hour, 27 minutes, 30 seconds; average speed = 3.99 mph
8. Lauro Eklund in Nome in a time of 10 days, 3 hours, 19 minutes, 49 seconds; average speed = 3.96 mph
9. Pete Kaiser in Nome in a time of 10 days, 3 hours, 35 minutes, 32 seconds; average speed = 3.96 mph
10. Michelle Phillips in Nome in a time of 10 days, 3 hours, 40 minutes, 40 seconds; average speed = 3.96 mph
11. Hanna Lyrek in Nome in a time of 10 days, 5 hours, 3 minutes, 55 seconds; average speed = 3.93 mph
12. Jessie Royer in Nome in a time of 10 days, 6 hours, 45 minutes, 15 seconds; average speed = 3.91 mph
13. Ryan Redington in Nome in a time of 10 days, 7 hours, 2 minutes, 20 seconds; average speed = 3.90 mph
14. Jesse Terry rookie of the year in Nome in 10 days, 13 hours, 36 minutes, 3 seconds; average speed = 3.80 mph.
15. Sam Martin in Nome in a time of 10 days, 16 hours, 59 minutes, 16 seconds; average speed = 3.75 mph
16. Josi (Thyr) Shelley in Nome in a time of 10 days, 17 hours, 0 minutes, 38 seconds; average speed = 3.75 mph
17. Bailey Vitello in Nome in a time of 10 days, 17 hours, 13 minutes, 11 seconds; average speed = 3.75 mph
18. Gabe Dunham in Nome in a time of 10 days, 18 hours, 25 minutes, 7 seconds; average speed = 3.73 mph
19. Rohn Buser in Nome in a time of 10 days, 20 hours, 33 minutes, 41 seconds; average speed = 3.70 mph
20. Chad Stoddard in Nome in a time of 10 days, 20 hours, 42 minutes, 9 seconds; average speed = 3.70 mph
21. Kevin Hansen in Nome in a time of 12 days, 3 hours, 37 minutes, 8 seconds; average speed = 3.31 mph
22. Sadie Lindquist in Nome in a time of 12 days, 4 hours, 4 minutes, 0 seconds; average speed = 3.30 mph
23. Joseph Sabin in Nome in a time of 12 days, 4 hours, 25 minutes, 55 seconds; average speed = 3.30 mph
24. Sam Paperman in Nome in a time of 12 days, 4 hours, 41 minutes, 32 seconds; average speed = 3.29 mph
25. Sydnie Bahl in Nome in a time of 12 days, 4 hours, 56 minutes, 32 seconds; average speed = 3.29 mph
26. Brenda Mackey in Nome in a time of 12 days, 5 hours, 1 minute, 23 seconds; average speed = 3.29 mph
27. Keaton Loebrich in Nome in a time of 12 days, 5 hours, 21 minutes, 12 seconds; average speed = 3.29 mph
28. Jason Mackey in Nome in a time of 12 days, 5 hours, 45 minutes, 8 seconds; average speed = 3.28 mph
29, Richie Beattie in Nome in a time of 12 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes, 46 seconds; average speed = 3.28 mph
Screen capture of Richie extinguishing "the widow's lamp" to end the race. Kind of bummed it is not red. Oh well, maybe it is the widow's lamp now and not the red lantern.
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Congratulations to all the teams. If I tried to do this, I'd be lucky to get to Rainy Pass. Heck, I might not make it out of Anchorage.
Whoops. Okay there is a red lantern. That is the trophy he gets. Widow's lamp is the Iditarod end of the race. Red lantern is the award. He noted that he was in White Mountain with a bunch of much younger mushers eager to go once the weather cleared. He was like, 'what's the rush?' Took it easy leaving thinking we are so far off the front, getting the red lantern is much cooler than finishing second or third to last.
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Listened to Paige's post-race interview. It was over 40 minutes, which is really long for her.
In terms of the race:
Said it was a similar team from last year. A few new dogs, but mostly the same. They were dialed in during the race.
Said she lives in a windy place, so the early wind was not really a factor for her, but by the time she got to Finger Lake, it really sucked the way it was blowing. Several other mushers in other interviews noted it was colder and way windier than usual through the first part of the race.
When she pulled through Rohn, she was the first through and the wind had blown drifts over the trail. So you could not see the markings. The only trail visible was the one the snow machines were taking down to the river to get water. The dogs saw that and made that turn. Eventually, they get to open water and seeing no trail markers, she realized what had happened. Had to get the mass of dogs turned around and managed to tear her jacket and pants up in the process. Was soaked at the end of it. That evening, she pulled ~1 mile off the trail to a cabin as she needed to dry out things and did not want to camp on the trail. She could hear Jessie Holmes' team stopping to camp off the side of the Iditarod trail, but not all the way to the cabin.
By Nikolai, noted every muscle was sore. Initial plan, mentioned days ago in an earlier post, was to go on to Cripple and stay there, but the combination of bitter cold (even by Iditarod standards) and rumored deep snow near there made her change plans and do her 24 at Takotna. Reporter commented how if you have not experienced -40, -45. -50 temperatures, it is hard to imagine what it is like camping in them. She noted that mushers have either the fortitude or "the mental stupidity" to do it.
At the 24-hour break, she was hoping that Jessie would push on to Ophir as if they were not close together, there would be more room for chess moves to try and catch up. But he stayed at Takotna too. But even if he had moved on, it is harder to make chess moves now because everyone can track where everyone is now. Earlier the analysts all wished that teams could not do this, but the Iditarod started allowing 2-way communication between mushers and supporters a few years ago as they concluded that it would be all but impossible to police it, so they let everyone do it.
She had done the run from Takotna to Ruby in 3, 50-60 mile runs with 2 very cold camps in there. Her phone died, GPS dies, time piece was not working. Everything seemed to be breaking. Thankfully Ryan Redington came in and gave her a watch. The time was off by an hour as it had not been reset to the new time. She noted that when you are as tired as you get on the trail, trying to do "musher math" is hard and she would sometimes mess up ifit was an hour too fast or an hour too slow. Noted that Jessie was running with shorter rest breaks and, if anything, slightly faster run times, so he opened up the lead a bit.
Once on the Yukon, she said the team had a really good run to Nulato and when she checked the run times and saw that Jessie had done it even faster, it was deflating. That was when she said she knew she had no chance of catching up. You need to stay close enough to have a chance if something happened upfront - reporter notes that in the arctic anything can happen, and she agreed - but said they would just go their own pace now and not worry about Jessie. She had done a 3-hour rest instead of 4 at one point during the day and the dogs did not seem happy about having the shorter rest. She could not outrun him, would not try and cut a rest short again and refused to try and do a 100 mile run that might push the dogs too hard just to try and win a race. Something she has said year-after-year-after year. Did note that the dogs have done 100 miles in training, but was not willing to try it in a race. If they lose confidence in you, they will stop and she does not want her 4-legged best friends to lose trust in her. Has never had it happen to her, but has seen it happen to other teams. You never know when you cross that line until you actually do it, and it is something she has no interest in finding out where it is.
Other things in the interview:
Her health - said she does not worry about it too much. Thought it was caught early and, as far as the doctor's know, the tumor was completely removed. She opted against taking cytotoxic chemotherapy, just surgery and long-term therapy, which must be hormonal therapy, but not specified. Said she does not even think about it on the trail except when her alarm goes off to take her meds. Cody was joking that she's kept her hair avoiding the chemo, but will lose it stressing about the Iditarod.
Noted that although they only live 25 miles from Jessie Holmes, they really do not see each other that often. Both kennels have similar genetics provided by one of Jeff King's old dogs, Clipper. The dogs have been their lives' work and is great to see them doing well. Loves running with the dogs.
Said that one of the things that keeps her coming back is that the trail has so much diversity. You start out in Anchorage on the coast, then go through the interior then go along the arctic coast.
In closing, said she wished people would come to see the Iditarod and experience the communities. Also, stay warm and enjoy it if you are somewhere warm.
When asked about next year, said she is not sure if she is coming back. Loves the trail and the addition to the trail is real, but there are other things they want to do as well. Plus, as you get older, it is hard on the body. Noted that she can sometimes need help getting her socks on with her hands having gone through everything. Does not know for sure about the future.
Final plug, noted that her mushing business is just her, Cody and 2 other people. They have a group coming in on Monday. And if it is -40 or whatever, well, they have the equipment and they will give you the full Alaska experience. I've camped at -20 or -25 (not sure how cold it was, the liquid was congealed in the bottom of the bulb so we could not get a reading) and cross country skied at -30, but not seen -40. If anyone wants a vacation experience that I am sure is a blast ...
Linking to her kennel
https://squidacres.com/
And link to the lodge
https://susitnaadventurelodge.com/
Thanks for all of the coverage. The interview summary was great. I am thinking this may be Paige's last year. Even without a cancer diagnosis, it seems like it's just so hard on the body as you age. I could be wrong though.
If Paige doesn't run next year, who will we root for? I guess everyone will have to pick their favorite musher.
I guess the ultimate person to root for would be honorary Hokie by marriage Cody. But not sure if he would be wanting to run or not.
I like Jessie Holmes a lot. I just don't like that he runs so much faster than Paige. I always try to look into the mushers' backgrounds and profiles and find stories that are easy to like and root for. I followed a few more social media accounts this year. I'll have to see the starting lineup for next year and then make a decision.
I like Jody Potts-Joseph's background as an indigenous tattoo artist. Apparently that tradition goes back 10,000 years.
Paige won an award that gets her free entry to the race next year so now they're considering it.
The decision just made itself!
ONE! MORE! YEAR!
ONE! MORE! YEAR!
ONE! MORE! YEAR!
Thanks Frosty for all your work on this. It's great following in the background and we all appreciate what you do.