" />
The ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage is set for 2 PM east coast time (10 AM local time). After a short trip to Campbell Airstrip, the teams will be trucked to Willow AK for the restart at 6 PM east coast (2 PM local time). 38 mushers and their teams will be following the Northern Route's ~1,000 mile journey. 6 other teams had signed up but withdrawn.
After being absent for a year, VT's Paige Drobny is back in the race. She normally does not do a lot of interviews and I cannot find any pre-race video of her, so I'm not sure if she is pushing for a top finish or taking it as a trip out with her dogs to train and bond. Will probably know more after a few days mushing. Her husband, Cody, is not running this year.
Some key people I'll be watching:
Obviously Paige, Let's Go ... Hokies
Aaron Burmeister - who had retired with 8 top 10 finishes, but is back in 2024. Said it is a way of life and he couldn't stay away
Jessie Holmes - 4x top 10 finisher
Peter Kaiser - last year's 2nd place finisher, 2019 champion and 8 top 10 finishes
Nicolas Petit - 6x top 10 finisher
Jessie Royer - 8x top 10 finisher
Ryan Redington - 2023 winner with 4 top 10 finishes
Dallas Seavey - 5 time winner with 11 top 10 finishes
Comments
Link to the Iditarod website. Some material is free, but some is behind a pay wall.
https://iditarod.com/
I look forward to reading your entertaining accounts of the race. Thanks for doing this.
Yes, thank you for keeping us up to speed.. I enjoy your updates. Been a fan since watching Dallas Seavey on Ultimate Survival Alaska on NatGeo years ago.
I couldn't even dream of being able to do it and I have great respect for the competitors.
Any turbulent weather in the forecast so far?
Not that I know of. Hadn't even thought to check, but took a peek at things just now and nothing seems bad. When the real race starts in Willow, AK on Sunday, it says lows of -11 and a high of 14.
Weather near the start is usually pretty good. Main issue is if it is too warm the dogs do not like it, so people will try and rest during the day and run at night when cooler. 14 degrees is a bit on the warm side. It is when you get onto Norton Sound or the Seward Peninsula near the end that you can encounter big storms like the one in 2022 where are those teams were trapped.
That screams "stay inside weather" to me.
LET"S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
DOGGIES!
Ngl i was expecting a HUSKIES
*Charley Steiner has entered the chat*
FTFY
The order in which the teams will leave is posted. Paige will be second-to-last to leave, drawing bib #38. Bib #1 is for an honorary musher. I actually did not know that and had to look up why the race bibs are #2 through #39.
https://iditarod.com/zuma/bib-number-1-for-the-honary-musher/
Order doesn't really make any difference as they are driving down streets and city park paths and the like, but does mean it will be late in the afternoon east coast time before she is off.
Technically isn't going later an advantage if they want to mush through the night when it is cooler?
Being first is considered a bit of a negative if there has been recent snow. In that case, you are breaking trail and pushing through the non-packed down snow does take more effort. So it is a bit easier being a little bit behind a few teams. Only issue is if the trail gets badly degraded by a lot of teams, and then being at the back can be tough with a rough trail. But, from what I saw before the start, trail conditions are supposed to be very good up to at least Rainy Pass.
TIL that sled racers practice drafting.
First team is at the starting line. Getting ready for the first musher to go.
And Anna Berington with bib #2 is off at 2:04 PM east coast time by my computer time.
Edit: by the way, the ceremonial start is on free broadcast at https://iditarod.com/#
Paige is on the starting line and ready to go - and they announced her undergrad in Biology from Virginia Tech!
And she's off at 3:23 PM east coast time by my clock. Good luck to her and all the teams.
I saw Brent Sass was Dq'd a couple of weeks ago for allegations of sexual abuse?
Yeah, he is in the dog house. Another musher was accused of the same thing and was not let in. But I try to lean towards innocent until proven guilty. Too easy to accuse people of things, so I'm in wait and see if any evidence mode.
Real race starts in about 30 minutes. Finally have a couple of videos of Paige. 1 from before the ceremonial start and 1 from Willow prior to the restart.
Said at the start that she had 18 dogs with her and had not finalized which would go. After dropping down from 16 to 14 dogs as the maximum at the start, teams are back up to 16 dogs at the start this year. She is not planning on pushing hard. Most of her veterans from 2022 have retired. Says only 3-4 dogs on the final team will have run the Iditarod before. With many young and Iditarod-inexperienced dogs, she plans to "just take it easy, get them down the trail and have them looking good at the finish line ... goal is to manage the team properly."
Video in Willow just posted, she says only 3 dogs on the team have done the Iditarod (so she must have settled on the 16 team now) and that most have never done more than a 300 mile race. Said she was actually not planning on running this year, but the young team was coming together well, so decided to do it. Has no real expectation of where she'll finish. Just going to go out and see what they do. Feels the team is quiet but steady and strong.
Go Paige! Good luck and safe travels for you and your dogs!
The greatest event in dog sports.
Many goodest boys.
First musher, Anna Berington, is getting set up at the restart line. Should be heading out in a few minutes. Teams will leave in 2 minute intervals.
And she is off!
5x Champion Dallas Seavey just left at 6:11 east coast/2:11 PM Alaska.
Should have posted this before. Screen shot of a fashionable Paige with the silver cape at the ceremonial start in Anchorage.
![]()
" />
So the trail ahead looks good up to Rainy Pass. Weather is a bit warm - over 15 degrees - but is expected to cool after a couple of days. Supposed to be good snow on the south side of the Alaska Range. Next few segments are described on the Iditarod site as:
Willow to Yenta Station is 42 miles to the checkpoint, which is the road house there. Starts out on Willow Lake then mostly flat through woods and frozen swamp land.
Yentna Station to Skwentna section is 30 miles, the entire route along the Yentna River ending at the small town of Skwenta.
Skwentna to Finger Lake section is 40 miles. First part is flat along swamps and rivers, but the second part begins the uphill journey to cross the Alaska Range. Checkpoint is at the lodge on Finger Lake.
Finger Lake to Rainy Pass section is 30 miles with several steep uphill sections with a treacherous downhill mixed in ("bout nine miles from Finger Lake, it's time to slow down and get things under control. The trail will start dropping down the benches toward the Happy River gorge. Watch for some abrupt downhills with sharp turns in this descending section. The trail will be narrow and very twisting through some big timber. You may see a couple of the Iditarod's now-famous yellow diamond highway warning signs that say either "Dangerous Trail Conditions Ahead" or "Watch your Ass!"). Rainy Pass is the highest point on the trail and things pitch over to some steep downhill sections after that.
Trail report was that north of Rainy Pass and the top of the Alaska Range, there are some bare patches with little snow, but that is fairly normal for that stretch and not out of the ordinary.
This is why I'll never live in Alaska. Brrrr!
A couple of years ago it was colder in Blacksburg all winter than it was in Anchorage.
Reasons to live in Blacksburg? "I got 99 reasons, but the weather ain't one."
And Paige is off, starting out in 37th place. I have it as 7:12 PM east coast/3:12 PM local time in Alaska. 11 miles down and ~965 miles to Nome.
![]()
" />
Go Puppies Go!!
Looks like some happy puppies!
I have a half-Husky and her only two moods are "wants to play tug of war" and "asleep". She is virtually impossible to walk on a leash without a gentle leader to keep her from pulling non-stop, and I outweigh her by 125 pounds. So yeah, pulling shit makes Huskies happy.
Monday morning, 6:50 AM east coast/2:50 AM Alaska
Everything reported by me is based off the GPS tracker and not the leader board as the leader board is only updated at checkpoints.
Most the teams are on the trial between Skwentna and Finger Lake with the back group resting in Skwentna. Paige is currently in 6th place running with a large group of mushers in a close pack. Jessie Holmes is currently in the lead about 12 miles from Finger Lake checkpoint. A little bit of space between the top 2 and the others, but still quite close.
1. Jessie Holmes running with 16 dogs 110 miles in/865 to Nome
2. Dallas Seavey running with 16 dogs 104 miles in/871 to Nome
3. Travis Beals running with 16 dogs 98 miles in/877 to Nome
4. Jeff Deeter running with 16 dogs 96 miles in/879 to Nome
5. Millie Porsild running with 16 dogs 96 miles in/879 to Nome
6. Paige Drobny running with 16 dogs 95 miles in/880 to Nome
7. Matt Hall running with 16 dogs 95 miles in/880 to Nome
8. Peter Kaiser running with 16 dogs 95 miles in/880 to Nome
9. Gabe Durham running with 16 dogs 94 miles in/881 to Nome
10. Matts Pettersson running with 16 dogs 93 miles in/882 to Nome
Last year's winner, Ryan Redington, is currently in 15th, 89 miles in/886 to Nome
Although she is not supposed to be pushing too much this year, Paige has made some fast early runs.
Jessie Holmes was first into Finger Lake, arriving with 16 dogs at 4:06 AM Alaska/8:06 east coast. He was only there for 5 minutes before pulling out with all 16 dogs.
Paige followed in second at 5:48 AM Alaska/9:48 east coast with 16 dogs. She was only there for 4 minutes before pulling out with all 16 dogs.
Currently, Paige is in 3rd, just behind Jessie and Wally Robinson and only 1-2 miles past the checkpoint. GPS has all 3 teams resting on the trail within 1 mile of each other. 5 other teams are listed as being into Finger Lake.
Edit: 1 place I have that Paige came into Finger Lake 2nd and another that she was third behind Millie Porsild. Not sure which is right, but Millie stayed in Finger Lake, while Jessie, Paige, and Wally pulled through to rest away from the checkpoint. Anyway, Paige is officially listed in 3rd now.
Seeing that Dallas Seavey had to kill a moose after it hurt a dog.
Seriously, A moose can fuck you up pretty good.
Now cue the Monty python jokes.
Oh absolutely. Here is a moose chasing a bear
That is some impressive hoofin'!
The bear breaking a glass window or door at the end to get away is crazy
A) Is the dog going to be okay?
B) Doesn't he have to delay to field dress the moose before he can move on?
Last I saw, the dog was dropped and sent for care, but that they seemed to be doing fine.
And yes, you are required to stop and dress the animal. It is to be picked up and the food distributed so the moose will not go to waste.
This was the last update I saw. Directly from the Iditarod website:
"Race Officials were notified at 1:43 a.m. that Veteran Musher Dallas Seavey (bib #7) was forced to dispatch a moose in self defense after the moose became entangled with the dogs and the musher on the trail. Seavey and his team were 14 miles outside of the Skwentna checkpoint on their way to the Finger Lake checkpoint.
Seavey continued on the trail, stopped to rest and feed his dogs and pulled into the Finger Lake checkpoint at 8:00 a.m. AKST. The Alaska State Troopers were immediately notified by Race Marshal Warren Palfrey. Seavey dropped one dog at the Finger Lake checkpoint who was injured during the moose encounter. The dog was immediately flown from Finger Lake to Anchorage and is currently being evaluated by veterinarians in Anchorage.
With help from snowmobile-aided support in the area, we are making sure that every attempt is made to utilize and salvage the moose meat. I will continue to gather information in this incident as it pertains to Rule 34," says Race Marshal Warren Palfrey. "
Monday night, March 4 update.
After being up near the front in the early going, Paige has dropped back to 12th place. As of 10:35 PM east coast/6:35 PM Alaska, a large number of mushers are on the steep downhill trail from Rainy Pass to the Rohn checkpoint. Leaders are:
1) Mille Porsild running with 16 dogs just a few miles outside of Rohn (179 miles in/796 miles to Nome)
2) Dallas Seavey running with 15 dogs 178 miles in/797 miles to Nome
3) Travis Beals running with 16 dogs 177 miles in/798 miles to Nome
4) Last year's champion Ryan Redington down to 14 dogs and running 175 miles in/800 to Nome
5) Jessie Holmes running with 16 dogs 175 miles in/800 to Nome
Others of note:
8) Peter Kaiser, last year's runner up and the 2019 champion, is resting on the trail with 16 dogs 171 miles in/804 to Nome
12) Paige running with with 16 dogs 164 miles in/811 from Nome - she rested the team for almost 4 hours in Rainy Pass
16) Jeff Deeter running with 15 dogs 162 miles in/813 from Nome - I list Deeter because Mille in first is not that far ahead and this shows you how close 1-16 are at this point. There is a tiny bit of a gap after Jeff.
As mentioned, a lot of teams will be into the Rohn checkpoint within the next couple of hours. Rohn is where some teams will start taking their 24 hour mandatory layover. Most - if not all - of the top teams will either go straight through or take a few hours rest, but it is fairly uncommon for top teams to take their 24 hour this early. They will normally push on to Nikolai, McGrath, Takotna, or even Ophir before doing that.
Rohn is the end of the big downhill and the start of the interior journey to the Yukon River. From Rohn is a long stretch to Nikolai, and this includes the Farewell Burn, a long stretch from an old fire. Often little snow there and sleds are going over a lot of dirt and rock. Nikolai is the first native village along the trail.
After Nikolai, it is supposed to be a fairly easy stretch of 48 miles to McGrath over a series of lakes and rivers. McGrath is described on the Iditarod site as "Population 310 -- Located near the confluence of the Kuskokwim and Takotna Rivers, this thriving community has two stores, a bar, and a restaurant."
What is a big community in interior Alaska is very different from the east coast :-).
Two stores? A haberdashery AND a Milnery
Probably a general store and a specific store.
Grocery and Outdoor supplies?
I hate to break it to everyone, they're down to 1 store, the Shoppe in McGrath is permanently closed.
A country store and a western store.
Haven't pulled this out in a while, but it's well deserved here.
Listening to the analyst video and a couple comments from them.
On the way up to Rainy Pass, there was fairly deep and wild blown snow. This really slowed down a lot of teams as they have to break through the deep snow. Teams were resting more than normal to keep them fresh. This has led to a slower race pace than normal.
Snow was heavy between Rainy Pass and Rohn. The analysts would normally be in Rohn now but they are further up the trail in Nikolai because it was not considered safe to try and fly into Rohn. After Rohn, there is very little snow in several places.
Temperatures in the interior are expected to hit 30 degrees. Should make the the little bit of snow that there is on this part of the trail wet and heavy, so pace is expected to continue to be slow. Temperatures should drop in a couple days, but warm for now. With the soft trail, they are saying you don't want to be too far in the back as the trail will get mushy and slower as more teams go through.
Noted that the 2 teams that seem to be set up well with their rest breaks are Jessie Holmes and Matt Hall. Jessie is currently in 4th, 178 miles in and Matt in 6th 172 miles in.
Tuesday morning, March 5 @ ~6:50 AM east coast/2:50 AM Alaska.
Majority of teams are either in the trail from Rohn to Nikolai or are at the Rohn checkpoint. Many teams still bunched closely together and most are resting their teams. Current standings:
1) Jessie Holmes, resting on the trail with 14 dogs 231 miles in/744 miles to Nome
2) Matt Hall, resting on the trail with 16 dogs 222 miles in/753 from Nome
Jessie and Matt were noted as having their teams set up best for this run and the analysts seem to have gotten that as they are 1 & 2 now
3) Peter Kaiser resting on the trail with 15 dogs 219 miles in/756 to Nome
4) Paige is back up to 4th, resting on the trail with 16 dogs 214 miles in/761 to Nome
5) Mille Porsild is the only top 5 musher running. Has 15 dogs, 212 miles in and 763 to Nome. Seems likely she will pass some or all of the leaders
Only 3 former winners in the race. Pete Kaiser, listed above. Ryan Redington and Dallas Seavey. Ryan and Dallas are both listed as resting with 14 and 15 dogs, respectively, 210 miles in and 765 from Nome. There are actually 9 mushers tightly packed at 210 or 211 miles in.
Just after 2 PM on Tuesday the 5th.
The lead teams have pulled into Nikolai. First in was Mille Porsild at 9:09 M local time/1:09 PM east coast with 14 dogs. She was quickly followed by:
Travis Beals with 16 dogs
Ryan Redington with 14 dogs
Dallas Seavey with 15 dogs
Jessie Holmes with 14 dogs
Jessie stayed in the checkpoint for only a few minutes, dropping 1 dog and pulling out at 9:50 AM local time/1:50 PM east coast with 13 dogs. The first 4 teams are all still in Nikolai resting, so Jessie is now listed in first place.
Actually, between when I started typing and now, Matt Hall has pulled into Nikolai, so that has him as #6.
Don't have word yet on if any of Millie, Travis, Ryan, Dallas or Matt are taking their 24 hour layover or if they are just taking a short break.
Currently, a lot of teams are bunched together close to Nikolai. That includes Paige, running in 13th place with 15 dogs in harness having dropped one in Rohn. She is 243 miles in/20 miles to Nikolai checkpoint and 732 to Nome.
Is it me or are dogs dropping earlier than normal?
I had the same question, a leader down to 13 dogs only about 250 miles into the race seemed a bit quick.
Sorry, I'm not really sure. As was mentioned below by Egbert, it does seem odd that the leader has dropped 3 dogs already. It might be that the deep snow on the first part tired some out and they have dropped more. I might be able to look at last year's run and see what they were at this point in the race. Not sure if I can do that or not, but will try checking after work.
So this is not perfect, but I looked at the first 10 mushers into Nikolai this year and the top 10 finishers last year. Not the same as there were 14 dogs per team last year and 16 this year and the top 10 finishers last year were not the first 10 into Nikolai, but I figure it is close enough. And it would be a pain in the backside to try and look up the actual list of people who got to Nikolai first. Assuming I did the counting right:
Last year = 15 dogs dropped by the time they reached Nikolai = 15/140 = 11% dropped at this point. Only 2 people have left the checkpoint, so can't get reliable numbers there.
This year = 11 dogs dropped by the time they reached Nikolai = 11/160 = 7% dropped at this point.
So, if anything, it is actually a lower percentage of dogs being dropped this year vs. last among the leading teams.
I'm curious is perhaps the difference that top mushers are training young dogs for next year. With 2 extra dogs they can drop 2 and be at the same strength as previous years.
Should add that Paige just pulled into Nikolai in 13th place with 15 dogs. The leader board still does not show her as having arrived, so no official time yet, but the GPS tracker has her team resting in Nikolai.
Just before 7 PM east coast/3 PM Alaska, the first 7 have pulled out and are on the trail to McGrath. 10 more are resting at the Nikolai checkpoint. Leader board is:
1. Jessie Holmes running with 13 dogs 279 miles in/696 to Nome
2. Matt Hall resting on the trail with 15 dogs 275 miles in/700 to Nome
Jessie and Matt both pulled out quickly onto the trail. The next 5 teams all took some type of a break before leaving.
3. Travis Beals with 16 dogs 274 miles in/701 to Nome
4. Ryan Redington with 14 dogs 272 miles in/703 to Nome
5. Dallas Seavey with 15 dogs 271 miles in/704 to Nome
6. Hunter Keefe with 14 dogs 267 miles in/708 to Nome
7. Mille Porsild with 14 dogs 265 miles in/710 to Nome
8-17 are all in Nikolai and include Peter Kaiser, Jessie Royer, Aaron Burmeister, Mats Pettersson, Wally Robinson, Paige Drobny, officially listed in 13th Jeff Deeter, Jason Mackey, Matthew Failor and Anna Berington.
Analyst video from about an hour ago had a few comments of note.
Mid-20s so temp is still a bit warm.
There was 3-4 inches of new snow that fell in Nikolai and so Mille Porsild noted her dogs had a slow go as the first team in breaking trail. Took an hour longer than she expected and she had to rest the dogs a long time in Nikolai.
Because Jessie Holmes and Matt Hall pushed through aggressively, they are setting up to have a couple long runs and will almost certainly take their 24 hour layovers late, either at the ghost town of Ophir or at Cripple, the last checkpoint before the Yukon River. The other teams that rested could still push forward aggressively or could be holding back, but by blowing through, Jessie and Matt pretty are pretty much committed to a fast pace.
Blowing through the checkpoint means the coverage team did not have a chance to look at Jessie, Matt or their teams to see how they were doing or discuss feelings and strategy. Among the people who stopped, 3 stood out - the 3 former winners.
Ryan Redington was very efficient. Had his dogs watered and taken care of faster than people who got there before him. He said the team was, if anything, better than last year's winning team
Pete Kaiser's team was like a "herd of wild buffalo" when they came in. Looked really strong. He noted he had been resting the team quite a bit along the way. Lives in Bethel, AK, which is flat. The team has a lot of training miles, but is not as used to hills, so he has been taking it easy and holding them back to they have reserve strength.
Dallas Seavey's team looked good. Like Pete, he has not been pushing hard. Said he is giving the team time to come together and that he is trying to determine who the key competitors are this year.
Next several stages through the interior are supposed to be in pretty good shape. Mostly flat as they go through McGrath, Takotna, Ophir and Cripple before reaching the village of Ruby on the Yukon River. Everyone will have taken their 24 hour layover by Cripple and then there is a mandatory 8 hour layover at 1 of the 3 Yukon River Checkpoints.
Tuesday night, March 3 @ about 10:30 PM east coast.
After dropping a dog, Paige pulled out of Nikolai with 14 dogs at 4:46 PM Alaska time/8:46 east coast. Team rested for 4 hours 18 minutes and was in 9th place. She is currently in 12th place, 276 miles in and 699 to Nome.
Jessie Holmes continues to lead and should be in McGrath in just a little bit.
Have a good evening.
Wednesday morning, March 6.
Overnight, several mushers went through McGrath and have pushed on to Takotna. First to Takotna was Travis Beals with all 16 dogs at 9:59 PM/1:59 PM east coast. He was followed by Ryan Redington, Pete Kaiser, Matt Hall, Hunter Keefe, Jessie Holmes, Paige Drobny in 7th, Jessie Royer, Aaron Burmeister and Dallas Seavey. 2 moved forward and the others are all resting their teams at the checkpoint. Current standings are:
1) Jessie Holmes - pulled out of Takotna quickly with 13 dogs at 12:52 AM Alaska/4:52 east coast, running 349 miles in/626 to Nome
2) Dallas Seavey - pulled out quickly with 15 dogs at 2:30 AM Alaska/6:30 AM east coast and is running 335 miles in/640 from Nome
3) Travis Beals resting in Takotna with 16 dogs 329 miles in/646 to Nome
4) Ryan Redington resting in Takotna with 14 dogs
5) Pete Kaiser resting in Takotna with 14 dogs
6) Matt Hall resting in Takotna with 15 dogs
7) Hunter Keefe resting in Takotna with 14 dogs
8) Paige Drobny resting in Takotna with 15 dogs
9) Jessie Royer resting in Takotna with 15 dogs
10) Aaron Burmeister resting in Takotna with 14 dogs
Everyone else is further back. Speaking of further back, the current Red Lantern position is held by rookie musher Joshua Robbins. He is on the trail from Rohn to Nikolai, running with 14 dogs 252 miles in/723 from Nome.
Analysts from last night were saying that the trail remained a bit slow. The 3-4 inches of new snow and warm weather in the 20s has been slowing teams down.
Looks like today will still be warm. Weather in Takotna expected to be in the mid-teens to mid 20s. Looking ahead to Ruby on the Yukon River, it is supposed to be in the single digits up to low 20s. Temps start to drop tomorrow and by Friday and Saturday, we are looking at lows around 0 to highs in the mid teens at Takotna in the interior and lows about -15 to highs in the single digits in Ruby, when the lead teams will be in that area. Will be more comfortable running weather for the dogs.
According to the second analyst interview, most of the mushers in Takotna are expected to do their 24 hours here.
They expect Jessie Holmes to push all the way to Cripple before declaring because his team is on a run-rest cycle that does not make sense to stop at Ophir
They expect Dallas Seavey to stop for the 24 break at Ophir, but he could also go to Cripple.
Of Travis Beals, Ryan Redington, Pete Kaiser, Matt Hall, Hunter Keefe, Paige Drobny, Jessie Royer and Aaron Burmeister, Paige is the only one that has given any indication she may just do a 4 hour or so rest and push on. All 8 teams are in the "long-term parking" area, so they are all staying for a while, but supposedly Paige hinted she may sneak out tonight (it is still before 5 AM in Alaska as I write). We will see.
Mille Porsild also just pulled into Takotna in 11th place.
Apparently, Dallas Seavey did not do enough to process the moose that was killed during the encounter with his team. I have not heard of any other musher getting a penalty, but Paige did pass by the moose as well. From the Iditarod website, Seavey will face a 2 hour penalty.
"Dallas Seavey penalized for Rule 34 infraction regarding dispatch of moose
Posted by Iditarod_Staff in Iditarod
Date: March 6, 2024 1:52 pm
Iditarod Race Marshal, Warren Palfrey, convened and a three-person panel comprised of race officials today to discuss (bib #7) Dallas Seavey's encounter with a moose early Monday morning enroute from Skwentna to Finger Lake.
After further investigation, the details to the event are as follows:
A moose was dispatched approximately 14 miles from Skwentna on the trail towards Finger Lake at 01:32 a.m. on Monday, March 5, 2024.
Approximately 10 minutes was spent at the site of the encounter, to which then the musher and team proceeded approximately 11 miles until 02:55 a.m. where they camped for three hours, departing approximately 05:55 a.m.
Musher and team then proceeded to Finger Lake checkpoint arriving at 08:00 a.m. The moose was later retrieved, processed and salvaged and is being distributed by Iditarod support based in Skwentna.
Rule 51 in part states: Time penalties will be imposed when determined by race officials a rule infraction has occurred and a competitive advantage has been gained. Time penalties require a majority decision of a three-member panel of race officials appointed by the Race Marshal. Time penalties may be imposed up to a maximum of eight (8) hours per infraction and will be added to either the twenty- four (24) hour layover, the eight-hour layover on the Yukon River, the eight (8) hour layover at White Mountain, or after the musher finishes in Nome.
As per rule Rule 34 – Killing of Game Animals: In the event that an edible big game animal (i.e., moose, caribou, buffalo), is killed in defense of life or property, the musher must gut the animal and report the incident to a race official at the next checkpoint. Following teams must help gut the animal when possible. No teams may pass until the animal has been gutted and the musher killing the animal has proceeded. Any other animal killed in defense of life or property must be reported to a race official, but need not be gutted. As per rule 34, it has been determined that the animal was not sufficiently gutted by the musher. By definition, gutting: taking out the intestines and other internal organs of (a fish or other animal) before cooking it.
It has been determined by the panel unanimously that a 2 hour time penalty will be assessed at the musher 24 hour layover. "
Yeah, 10 minutes was probably him bandaging his dog and doing nothing to the moose. Does Paige get penalized if she passed the moose ungutted?
That was what I was wondering too. When I read this, it made me wonder does any team that went by it need to do something to make sure it is cleaned? Maybe it is just that you cannot go past someone who is working on the animal and since Dallas had already moved on, anybody who came later is off the hook. I couldn't figure it out from the wording.
"Following teams must help gut the animal when possible. No teams may pass until the animal has been gutted and the musher killing the animal has proceeded. "
Reading it, I got the impression that any passing teams would need to stop and help so as it isn't as big a penalty for the team that had the bad luck of having to shoot the moose.
Did the passing teams see the moose and figure it was already dressed because he was working on the dog? Or did they not even see the moose depending on how it fell. It could have run away after the shot and fallen in brush so it wasn't visible from the trail. All of us rules lawyers want to know details!
There was a tiny little snippet of conversation in a video of her signing in at the checkpoint after the moose location. She said the moose was right there on the trail and she went by it. But I'm guessing Dallas had already worked on the moose and left so follow-up mushers would not be required to stop. Still have not seen any notes about anyone else being penalized, so I think she - and everyone else that when by at about the same time - is probably in the clear.
There was a yahoo article that said it fell on his sled and he killed it with a handgun. So apparently he just did a really bad job of dressing it. Which if he isn't a hunter, wouldn't be hard to imagine.
I read, and interpret it, as if he wasn't gutting it, and only bandaging his dog, then she, or anyone else passing, wouldn't have reason to stop and assist w gutting the animal. Just a racer tending to his dog.
Wednesday evening, March 6. We are at the point where the standings get all mixed up as different people take their 24 hour layover at different spots. Who is in first is the furthest along, but if someone has rested and is behind, they are probably still ahead as the front runner has to stop. Anyway, the official leader board is:
1) Dallas Seavey, on the trail with 15 dogs, 390 miles in/585 to Nome and approaching the Cripple checkpoint. He will need to stop for his 24 hour layover
2-5 are all resting in the ghost town of Ophir, 352 miles in/623 from Nome. I presume they are all doing their 24 hour as they have all been there for several hours. This includes:
2) Jessie Holmes with 13 dogs
3) Matt Failor with 15 dogs
4) Jeff Deeter with 13 dogs
5) Nicholas Petit with all 16 dogs
The next 3 pulled out of Takotna quickly and have not started the long break. That includes:
6) Anna Berington running with 10 dogs 347 miles in/628 to Nome
7) Deke Naakgeeboren (not pronounced Kevin) running with 13 dogs 333 miles in/642 to Nome
8) Sean Williams (rookie, so in front for rookie if the year) running with 13 dogs 331 miles in/642 to Nome
The 8 mushers that came in around Paige arrived are all still resting in Takotna, 329 miles in/646 to Nome and will be completing their 24 hour layovers tonight/tomorrow morning. They are:
9) Travis Beals - who is eligible to leave ~10 PM Alaska/2 AM east coast
10) Ryan Redington
11) Pete Kaiser
12) Matt Hall
13) Hunter Keefe
14) Paige Drobny who will be eligible to leave ~1:40 AM Alaska/5:40 AM east coast
15) Jessie Holmes
16) Aaron Burmeister who will be eligible to leave about an hour after Paige is
The next 9 teams have also pulled into Takotna, but they came in well after the cluster of people that included Paige, so will be there longer unless they decide to pull through and not take the break there.
The Red Lantern is Joshua Robbins, running on the trail from between Nikolai and McGrath with 13 dogs 294 miles in/681 from Nome.
They did have a brief interview with Paige. She said that she only had enough food stashed to do the full 24 hour layover at Takotna and Cripple, but she decided to stop at the earlier place. Noted in an earlier interview that most of her team had never done more than a 300 mile race, and so she did not want to push them the extra 100 miles or so to Cripple.
Was asked if the new snow and slow trail had any impact on deciding to stop early and she said no. The team was doing pretty well. She did feel it was maybe a little early for the stop, but felt better safe than sorry/going too short was better than too long.
Said the worst stretch for her was the downhill from Rainy Pass to Rohn and after Rohn through the Farewell Burn. Had to do a lot of rest to recover from them, but otherwise, she and the team are doing well.
Thursday morning, March 7. Will summarize the analyst video and some of the interviews below this, but the race situation is this:
1) Dallas Seavey officially in first. Pulled into Cripple at declared his 24 at 8 PM last night Alaska/12 midnight east coast. Will be there for 26 hours with the penalty added. 425 miles in/550 to Nome.
2) Nic Petit officially in second, resting on the trail with all 16 dogs 396 miles in/579 to Nome
3) Travis Beals was the first person near the front to complete his 24. Pulled out of Takotna last night with all 16 dogs, has gone through Ophir and now on the trail to Cripple, running 361 miles in/614 to Nome. Assuming Nic stops to do his 24 in Cripple, Travis will pass him and Dallas and is probably the true leader at this point.
4) Ryan Redington has also gone through Ophir and is running with 14 dogs 357 miles in/618 to Nome
5-10 are all resting in Ophir doing, I presume, their 24 hours. 352 miles in/627 to Nome.
5) Jessie Holmes - who should be able to leave around 3:45 AM Alaska/7:45 AM east coast. Everyone else in Ophir has to stay quite a while more.
6) Matt Failor
7) Jeff Deeter
8) Anna Berington
9) Deke Naaktgeboren
10) Rookie Sean Williams
On the trail from Takotna to Ophir, we have 11-15, all of which have completed their 24 hour layover
11) Pete Kaiser running 13 dogs 348 miles in/627 to Nome
12) Matt Hall running 15 dogs 343 miles in/632 to Nome
13) Hunter Keefe running 14 dogs 340 miles in/635 to Nome
14) Paige Drobny resting on the trail with 15 dogs 334 miles in/641 to Nome
15) Wally Robinson running all 16 dogs 330 miles in/645 to Nome
16) Jessie Royer - just pulled out of Takotna. She was still at the checkpoint when I started typing the post, but now listed as running 15 dogs 330 miles in/645 to Nome
There are 13 teams in Takotna, 329 miles in/646 to Nome. Presume most or all are doing their 24.
17) Aaron Burmeister is eligible to leave any moment now
18-29 all have several hours to go before they can restart
Latest analyst video and interviews.
Dallas met with race officials in Cripple last night. The crew, reporter and analyst heard some of it, but they did not want to bother them. Let the dogs get taken care of and people get some sleep. Will see if they can speak with Dallas today, but they did not want to post half stories or speculate anything. Way better than most press would be.
Nic Petit said he may go past Cripple and do his 24 in Ruby. Sorry, my mistake. I thought you had to take your 24 before the Yukon River, but apparently you don't. Will see where he decided to stop.
Travis Beals has been sick most of the race. Just recovering now and feels a lot better. His team has been doing well. He runs a speed-focused team. 1 was a bit sore coming into his 24 at Takotna, but has bounced back and he decided to continue with all 16 dogs. Also noted one of his leaders is in heat, so she has to either lead by herself of ride in the bag on the sled so the male dogs don't "lose their mind."
Jessie Holmes has been doing some very fast runs. He had hoped to go further before stopping, but the team seemed to be getting tired. Added in extra rest on the last segment and decided to do the 24 in Ophir. Dogs seemed to really pick up the pace the second half of the run into Ophir, but he still thought it was best to take the long break there then go on to where he had initially hoped to stop.
Temperature was dropping last night. That should firm up the trail and lead to faster runs. Both because of a firmer trail and the temperatures in the 20s that we had been having the past few days are warmer than sled dogs like. Will drop further in the next couple of days as well.
Quick update that Paige pulled into Ophir with 15 dogs at 4:08 AM Alaska/8:08 east coast. Was there for just a few minutes before pulling out on the way to Cripple. Went through before Jessie Holmes pulled out, so Paige is now officially listed as in 8th place.
1) Dallas Seavey in Cripple
2) Nic Petit approaching Cripple
3-8 all on the way from Ophir to Cripple
3) Travis Beals
4) Ryan Redington
5) Pete Kaiser
6) Matt Hall
7) Hunter Keefe
8) Paige Drobny
GO PAIGE GO!
And thank you, Frosty's dad, for doing this. The commentary is greatly appreciated, as I'm getting a lot more out of this than I would looking at times on the website. Bravo Zulu!
Seconded!
Wednesday evening, March 7th.
For brief period, Paige was actually up to 3rd place. Dallas Seavey and Nic Petit were up ahead, but the other teams in the top 10 were moving along and Paige was the last one to stop and break along the trail, so she managed to pass all of them before she had her team rest and then people passed her again. Nic Petit did rest for a few hours in Cripple, but then pulled out saying he was going to do the 24 in Ruby. Therefore, we are here:
1) Nic Petit running with 15 dogs 447 miles in/528 to Nome. It looks like he is way ahead, but he is the only musher anywhere near the front that has not even started his 24 hour layover, so others will pass him in Ruby.
2) Dallas Seavey resting in Cripple 425 miles in/550 to Nome. He won' be eligible to leave until after 2 AM Alaska/6 AM east coast
3) Travis Beals running with all 16 dogs just outside of Cripple 423 miles in/552 to Nome
4) Ryan Redington running with 14 dogs 416 miles in/559 to Nome
5) Jessie Holmes running with 13 dogs 407 miles in/568 to Nome
6) Pete Kaiser also running with 13 dogs 407 miles in/568 to Nome
7) Matt Hall running with 14 dogs 403 miles in/572 to Nome
8) Paige Drobny running with 15 dogs 402 miles in/573 to Nome
9) Hunter Keefe running with 14 dogs 400 miles in/575 to Nome
10) Wally Robinson running with all 16 dogs 394 miles in/581 to Nome
Looking at the tracker, Paige and Matt Hall seem to have been running together for a while now. Not sure if that is intentional or if they just happen to be going the same speed and on a similar rest cycle, but guessing it is on purpose.
The teams are all pretty close together still. There are 12 more teams on the trail from Ophir to Cripple, so that is 20 of the 38 teams on that one ~70 mile stretch of trail between those checkpoints. Dallas and Nic the only ones at Cripple or beyond and 16 teams still in Ophir or before.
Latest analyst video, they noted that Paige and Jessie Royer (who is currently in 12th) were having very fast runs. With a young and inexperienced team, I figured Paige would probably still get into the top 20 as there are so many rookie mushers in this year's race. But the way things are going, top 15 looks very possible and I'm starting to hope for a top 10 finish. Hopefully all goes well.
When the teams reach Cripple, they expect most to rest for a few hours before pulling out. The stretch from Cripple to Ruby is said to be one of the easier ones along the trail. Flat to gently rolling hills, but people still tend to stop as there is hot food and a vet team to check out the dogs.
Once teams move past Ruby, they are on the Yukon River through the villages of Galena, Nulato and Kaltag before the Kaltag Portage takes them overland to the sea coast. Yukon River run is expected to be a fast trail.
Temperatures are expected to really drop and the wind to pick up. A couple of days from now, it is forecast to be lows in the -20s and highs from below 0 to maybe +10 depending upon where you are along the Yukon and the coast. Coupled with 20-30 mph winds. Good running weather for the dogs, but tougher on the humans.
Frosty, this is God's work your doing. Thanks a lot, the detail you provide is great.
Thursday night update on the top 10 as they have all reached Cripple. Several mushers have passed through and not stopped like they were expected to. We have:
1) Nic Petit running with 15 dogs 469 miles in/506 to Nome
2) Travis Beals resting on the trail with 15 dogs, having pulled through Cripple quickly after dropping 1, 441 miles in/534 to Nome
3) Jessie Holmes running with 12 dogs, having pulled through Cripple quickly after dropping 1, 431 miles in/544 to Nome
4) Paige Drobny the leader board says that she pulled into Cripple with 15 dogs at 5:25 PM Alaska/9:25 PM east coast, dropped 1 dog and pulled out with 14 at 5:41 PM Alaska/9:41 PM east coast, so she is in 4th. The GPS tracker says she is still in Cripple and has her in 7th, but is running, so I presume that means she left but is still in the checkpoint and 425 miles in/550 to Nome
5-9 are all resting in Cripple and will probably take a bit of a break 425 miles in/550 to Nome
5) Dallas Seavey - still completing the 24 + 2 hour fine
6) Ryan Redington
7) Pete Kaiser
8) Matt Hall
9) Hunter Keefe
10) Wally Robinson running with 16 dogs 418 miles in/557 to Nome, so he should be there very soon
EDIT:GPS now has Paige in 4th. Running with 14 dogs 428 miles in/547 to Nome. Really odd that the leader board was updated before the GPS. Normally the leader board is way behind with updates.
I just read through the entire thread and I am gripped to this race and the story. This is riveting action. Thanks for keeping up with this and translating and analyzing the movements to create a really fun read.
Finally saw the interview with Dallas. When the moose got tangled up with his team, says he was getting panicked. Dog (Faloo) was bleeding and he put her in the sled and assumed he had to get to Finger Lake as fast as possible. Dog was laying wound side up and seemed to be doing better and stable.
When he got to Finger Lake, the vet said the dog had a 20-30% chance of making it and he had to make a decision - implying try surgery or euthanize. They evacuated the dog and did surgery. The next day, she was up to 50% chance of making it.
Said that he was in a bit of shock from the incident and was not thinking for 20 minutes to an hour. Did not do much with the moose. Said they made the right call. The moose was not properly gutted and the rule is black-and-white. Just said he made a dumb move as e was not thinking straight. Said he did not intend to gain any advantage, just messed up. Apologized to people for 'screwing it up' and it was an honest mistake. Just trying to go on and put things behind him now while getting ready for the next segment.
As a dog sport competitor and referee, I can completely excuse Dallas for not thinking straight.
While not common, I have seen multiple dogs get injured running the sports they love and not being attacked by a moose and even when it's not your dog, you don't think straight in the immediate aftermath.
In my book, under the circumstances, this is every bit worth the 2 hour penalty.
100% better to try and save the dog's life over dressing the moose. If I understand the rule correctly, it's a stupid rule and the racer has nothing to be sorry about.
I understand the reasoning for the rule because you don't want people out there just poppin' caps in wildlife because they might interfere or injure the dogs. But since a dog was hurt, I totally understand why the moose wasn't his top priority.
I agree completely. The basis of the rule makes sense. What doesn't make sense is that there's no exceptions for extenuating circumstances like a dying dog.
I guess that introduces grey area into the interpretation and it's important to the race organizers and indigenous people to respect the ecosystems the race travels through as well as the customs of not wasting an animal that was killed by human hands. I still think Dallas did the right thing because IMO the dogs are the top priority here.
Agreed, there should be an appeals process that looks at the situation.
Friday morning, March 8.
Nic Petit was the first to reach the Yukon, pulling into Ruby at 10:08 PM Alaska/2:08 AM east coast with 14 dogs. Travis Beals is in second and has opened up a bit of a gap on others. The next 13 mushers are still pretty close together and on the trail from Cripple to Ruby. Everyone but Nic has completed their 24 hours. Current standings are:
1) Nic Petit resting in Ruby 495 miles in/480 to Nome; won't be eligible to leave until late tonight Alaska/early AM tomorrow east coast
2) Travis Beals running with 15 dogs 482 miles in/493 to Nome
3) Jessie Holmes running with 13 dogs 462 miles in/513 to Nome
4) Matt Hall running with 12 dogs 460 miles in/515 to Nome
5) Ryan Redington resting on the trail with 13 dogs 459 miles in/516 to Nome
6) Hunter Keefe resting on the trail with 13 digs 457 miles in/518 to Nome
7) Paige Drobny running with 14 dogs 457 miles in/518 to Nome
8) Pete Kaiser resting on the trail with 12 dogs 454 miles in/521 to Nome
9) Dallas Seavey running with 15 dogs 453 miles in/522 to Nome
10) Wally Robinson running with 15 dogs 451 miles in/524 to Nome
Next 4 are all within 10 miles of Wally.
Rookie Joshua Robbins is in Ophir in the red lantern position, 352 miles in/623 to Nome
Paige currently listed in 4th, having left Cripple 37 minutes behind #3 Holmes and 2 hours and 35 minutes behind #2 Beals.
Petit is up by 4 hours and 15 on Beals, though neither have left Ruby, yet.
Paige is now
pastchecked into the Ruby checkpoint, still in 4th with 14 dogs, 1h8m behind 3rd place Holmes, and 4m ahead of 5th place Redington. As of 0840 local (no idea what that time is in Virginia time), no other racer haspassedchecked into the Ruby checkpoint.Edit: fix't
Frosty, you got me hooked on this now. GO PAIGE'S DOGGIES GO!
New info (so that's what the
yelloworange highlight means) as of 0912 local. Paige is still in Ruby, while Beals has left.If Paige can get out quickly, she could be the leader on the course as Beals still hasn't taken his mandatory 24hr rest.Petit, who hasn't taken his mandatory 24 hour rest, is still in Ruby (and has been for 11 hours), appears to be taking his 24 hours rest here. Paige has a chance to make up a position or two by leaving Ruby quickly."Frosty, you got me hooked on this now. "
Friday evening, March 8.
Travis Beals has definitely opened up a lead to almost 30 miles. Matt Hall and Dallas Seavey have both gave chase and have been joined by Pete Kaiser and Jessie Holmes, but they have a ways to make up. Looking at the GPS, we have:
1) Travis Beals just pulled into Galena with 13 dogs, 545 miles in/430 to Nome. Livestream video has him checking in, but the leader board has not been updated to show an official time yet.
2) Matt Hall running with 12 dogs 518 miles in/457 to Nome (only spent a few minutes in Ruby before leaving)
3) Dallas Seavey running with 15 dogs 508 miles in/467 to Nome (had a fairly short break in Ruby of <3 hours)
4) Pete Kaiser running with 11 dogs 504 miles in/471 from Nome (took an ~4.5 hour break in Ruby)
5) Jessie Holmes running with 11 dogs 500 miles in/475 to Nome (took a pretty long 8 hour break in Ruby)
Numerous other teams resting in Ruby 495 miles in/480 to Nome including:
6) Nic Petit
7) Paige Drobny
8) Ryan Redington
9) Hunter Keefe
10) Jason Mackey
6 more mushers are resting in Ruby as well.
30 miles is definitely not insurmountable. Far from it at this point. Heck, if there are storms on the coast, everyone can be stuck there for hours if not days. But today is the first time I think we've had a real gap open up with the front runner.
Some interviews with some of the mushers in Ruby and the trail reporter in Galena.
Trail on the Yukon is said to be in pretty good shape. Not perfect as there is some wind-blown lose snow that will slow things down a little, but not much. Also a stiff head wind is picking up and the temperatures are below 0. Said that with all of the straight and flat trail along the river, boredom can be a problem. And, ironically, there is a steep hill that you have to go up to get from the river to Galena, so after all the flat and level ground, you have to jump off the sled and help push it up the hill sometimes.
In an earlier interview, Travis Beals had noted that he had a fast team and it was more of a speed team. He has kept up the speed and opened the lead.
Ryan Redington is taking a longer break in Ruby. He said it was a bold strategy for Travis Beals to pull through so quickly and push the pace and he hopes it works out for him. INSERT IT'S A BOLD STRATEGY COTTON GIF. Ryan feels too early to start racing and he is still running like it is a training run to keep the dogs fresh.
Matt Hall pulled right through Ruby chasing Beals, but Hall has been running an aggressive race all along.
Pete Kaiser took a medium-sized rest in Ruby. He said it is not a bad choice to take a longer, 8 hour-type, break like some teams are doing, but he has been giving the team lots of rest throughout the race. Felt they did not need as much as was trying to time his leaving to be able to get a long run in to Nulato and not have to stop at Galena, but keeping options open to stay at Galena. When asked about Beals pushing the pace, noted Travis is in a dream position with a strong lead. Did say if he was in Travis' spot, he would take additional rest and work about maintaining the lead rather than stretching it. Don't try to win by 10 hours when you only need to win by 1 minute.
Jessie Holmes took a long break before pulling out of Ruby. Said the dogs enjoyed the sleep in the sun. He is not worried about position now. His goal is to keep the team rested and have them strong for the final stage of the race along the coast, even if that means dropping back now. Was putting coats on the dogs before pulling out onto the river as he was expecting colder weather and stronger winds.
Oh, and both Paige and Ryan Redington just pulled out of Ruby according to the GPS tracker. At about 4:30 Alaska/8:30 east coast.
Paige running in 6th place with 14 dogs 497 miles in/478 to Nome
Ryan running in 7th place with 13 dogs 496 miles in/479 to Nome
They both rested ~8 hours in Ruby.
Edit: this makes Jessie Holmes, Paige and Ryan Redington the first 3 to complete their mandatory 8 hour layover that has to be taken at a Yukon River checkpoint.
Saturday morning March 9. Sorry I'm late, slept in after a long work week. I'm getting too old for 12 hour days.
Travis Beals continues to lead, but several teams have closed the gap. He pulled into Nulato, the second to last check point on the Yukon with 12 dogs at 5:49 AM Alaska/9:49 AM east coast. Dallas Seavey is officially in second and approaching Nulato, but he is the only musher in the top 7 that has not done his 8 hour layover. We officially have:
1) Travis Beals resting in Nulato with 12 dogs 582 mile in/393 to Nome
2) Dallas Seavey running with 15 dogs 579 miles in/396 to Nome
3) Jessie Holmes running with 11 dogs 568 miles in/407 to Nome
4) Paige Drobny running with 14 dogs 562 miles in/413 to Nome
5) Matt Hall running with 12 dogs 559 miles in/416 miles to Nome
6) Ryan Redington running with 13 dogs 556 mile in/419 to Nome
7) Pete Kaiser running with 11 dogs 550 miles in/425 to Nome
8-17 are all resting in Galena 545 miles in/430 to Nome. I some of them are taking their 8 hour layover there. Teams include:
8) Matt Failor
9) Hunter Keefe
10) Mille Porsild
Temps have been cold and that has been helping teams to make faster times lately.
Dallas Seavey did just pull into Nulato at 6:23 Alaska/10:23 east coast.
Interview with Matt Failor noted that there was a double rainbow of northern lights on his run into Galena. The wind was a cross wind, so not bad, but it was blowing some snow across the trail. Biggest challenge was that when you would get to a drift, some of the dogs would want to climb over/plow through but others would think it was easier to try and go around, which would take them off trail and into the snow there. Would end up getting tangled up and would need to be righted. He worked with several lead dogs to try and keep everyone on the same page. I enjoyed his lead dog names (Mach 10, McLaren, Gale Force).
And a screen capture image from Paige leaving Galena last night. Not the greatest in the dark, but I liked it.
Jessie Holmes pulled into Nulato at 8:15 AM Alaska/12:15 PM east coast with 11 dogs, so we now have Travis Beals, Dallas Seavey and Jessie Holmes all resting at the checkpoint.
Paige is about 3 miles out and is expected to arrive in about 20 minutes (typed at 12:40 east coast time). Have to head out grocery shopping, but was going to watch the live stream until she arrives and then go. Blasted family wanting to have food in the house and be able to eat while I'm trying to watch the Iditarod. It's almost as bad as having work all week :-).
Beals has been resting his team for 3 hours now. Curious to see how long he will wait. With Dallas catching up and Beals having pushed forward aggressively, I was expecting him to try and leave fairly quickly to re-establish the lead knowing Dallas has to stop for 8 hours at Nulato or Kaltag (you have to take an 8 hour layover at 1 of the Yukon River checkpoints), but he is giving his team a good rest.
Paige just arrived at Nulato at - according to my computer - was 1:01 PM east coast/9:01 AM Alaska, but that is not official. She said that she will be staying for a bit, so pulling into town. The camera man mentioned that she and Jessie Holmes are neighbors, although they are far apart given how open the area is.
He also said that Dallas did declare his 8 hours here. Thought was that Travis, Jessie and Paige would all be resting 4 or 5 hours. That would have them all pull out before Dallas is eligible to leave, so Paige would be up to 3rd place. Matt Hall is next on the trail.
Screen capture of Paige coming in just after sunrise in Nulato. Damn road sign got in my way!
![]()
" />
Once the mushers pull out, it will be a relatively short 47 or 48 mile run along the Yukon River to Kaltag. Temperatures are -15 to -20 along that stretch. From there, they'll leave the river and head overland on the much longer 80+ mile Kaltag Portage to Unalakleet on the Bearing Sea coast. Unalakleet is the largest town along the trail after leaving Willow and before reaching Nome. From Unalakleet it is up the barren sea coast to Shaktoolik and then the trip across the sea ice to Koyuk.
After Kaltag, the wind and storms can be major factors. From the Iditarod website describing the section of trail:
"This leg follows the ancient Kaltag portage, a relatively straight valley angling southwest through the coastal mountains; the route has been used for millennia by Natives. It is normally a well-used snowmachine highway. It marks the major transition from the inland river environment to the Bering Sea coast. Conditions can be vastly different at opposite ends of the portage, and wind is a constant threat on the western half."
Latest analyst video. Should mention that the main reporter is Greg Heister and the main analyst is Bruce Lee, who completed the race 7 times with his top finish #10 in 1993. Greg was having to help fuel the plane last night, the hose leaked and he got the aviation fuel on his heavy gloves, but that quickly evaporated and he has frostbitten hands now. So shout out to the nice reporting and analysis.
![]()
" />
Mentioned that Travis Beals pulled out with 12 dogs at 10:41 AM Alaska/2:41 PM east coast. Travis threw down the gauntlet by pushing through earlier and the other mushers know he has a fast team. He has 3 top 10 finishes, but has never been in the leader position this late in the race, so how he handles things will be important.
Dallas Seavey is in a pattern that reminded them of his 2022 race that he finished 2nd to Brent Sass. Took his 8 hours in Nulato then as now. Last time, he pushed through Kaltag and stopped along the trail for a rest, then continued on to Unalakleet and splitting that Nulato-Kaltag-Unalakleet stretch with 1 rest break.
Jessie Holmes was seen as a wild card. Unclear what he will do.
Noted Paige is lurking. Her team has had some really fast runs and the dogs seem to have great natural speed. She was speaking with Bruce Lee and told him she was in good spirits and was not pushing the team. Just letting them do what they want. His comment was if she gets aggressive and does try to push things, she could really be a force to be reckoned with. She and Jessie Holmes have had some of the fastest runs.
Ryan Redington is lurking as well. He was a sleeper last year that was near the front, but not seen as one of the favored teams. But the stretch from Eagle Island (southern route)-Kaltag-Unalakleet he "turned the tiger loose" and just blew by teams. Has been running a fairly conservative race up to now and they are interested in seeing if he will make a move soon.
Also commented that temperatures expected to be ~0 to -20 the next couple days, it may be a bit of a benefit to the teams that train further north. That would be Jessie Holmes, Paige, and Matt Hall. As mentioned, Jessie and Paige were having the fastest runs and it might not be a coincidence that their teams are strongest in the cold. Wind is ~20 mph on the coast, which is not that bad for that area, but still can drop wind chills way down overnight.
Matt Hall is another wild card. He finished 4th last year and is also near the front.
Did not say much about Pete Kaiser, but with 8 top 10s (2nd last year and winner in 2019) he is a threat.
Noted that, at his point in the race, you often only have 2 or 3 people that really have a good shot at winning, but that there are probably 9 or 10 that have a legitimate shot this year, including Hunter Keefe, who was a rookie last year in 11th place is is currently in 8th, just short of Nulato.
Saturday evening, March 9.
GPS tracker has Paige pulling out of Nulato with 14 dogs at about 2 PM Alaska/6 PM east coast. Leader board still has her in Nulato, but that is normally not updated for a little bit. Matt Hall had pulled out at 1:41 Alaska time/5:41 Alaska, so Paige remains in 4th. Currently have:
1) Travis Beals running 12 dogs 619 miles in/356 to Nome
2) Jessie Holmes running 11 dogs 597 miles in/378 to Nome
3) Matt Hall running 11 dogs 585 miles in/390 from Nome
4) Paige Drobny running 14 dogs 583 miles in/392 to Nome
Teams 5-10 are all resting in Nulato 577 miles in/398 to Nome
5) Dallas Seavey
6) Ryan Redington
7) Pete Kaiser
8) Hunter Keefe
9) Wally Robinson
10) Matt Failor
In terms of rest taken in Nulato, it was Beals resting 4 hours 52 min, Holmes 4 hours 22 min and Hall 3 hours 58 minutes. Paige will likely have rested about 5 hours.
Edit: Leader board updated and Paige officially left with 14 dogs at 1:53 PM Alaska/5:53 PM east coast after a 4 hour 52 min rest. Dallas Seavey will be eligible to leave any minute now.
Edit x2: Dallas just pulled out with 15 dogs at what my computer unofficially had as 6:25 PM and Ryan Redington pulled out right after at 6:26 PM east coast, so they are about 30 minutes behind Paige. Pete Kaiser is likely to be the next to leave. If so, there will be 3 guys with 7 Iditarod championships between them all chasing Paige.
Another analyst video as Travis Beals just pulled into Kaltag, dropped 2 dogs, received the Bristol Bay Native Corporation's Fish First Award from someone who, even under all that bundling, looked highly qualified to me.
Thought is that Travis seemed very focused. His lead is enough it can be tough for the chasers to know how aggressively to try and push. They mentioned that Ryan Redington and Paige seem to be having the fastest time. Has allowed Paige to pass Matt Hall and Ryan to pass Dallas Seavey. Latest standings are:
1) Travis Beals running 10 dogs 632 miles in/343 to Nome
2) Jessie Holmes running 11 dogs 616 miles in/370 to Nome
3) Paige Drobny running 14 dogs 605 miles in/370 to Nome
4) Matt Hall running 12 dogs 604 miles in/371 to Nome
5) Ryan Redington running 12 dogs 599 miles in/376 to Nome
6) Dallas Seavey running 15 dogs 599 miles in/376 to Nome
7) Pete Kaiser - just pulled out of Nulato (was listed as resting there when I started typing the post) with 11 dogs
#8 to #15 all resting in Nulato including:
8) Hunter Keefe
9) Wally Robinson
10) Matt Failor
Paige having more dogs might be an advantage late in the race.
Don't like knowing why Seavey is only down 1.
I work for a subsidiary of Bristol Bay Construction Holdings, which is a branch of the Bristol Bay Native Corporation. I saw they posted a photo with Travis Beals on LinkedIn - kind of cool to see it mentioned here as well!
Paige is pulling into Kaltag on the live stream. 10:16 PM east coast/6:16 PM Alaska. Solid 3rd place now.
Saturday night March 9. Leaders are all resting their teams in preparation for the trip to the coast. We have:
1) Travis Beals resting on the trail with 10 dogs. 642 miles in/333 to Nome
Next 5 are all resting in Kaltag, 629 miles in/346 to Nome
2) Jessie Holmes with 11 dogs in
3) Paige Drobny with 14 dogs
4) Matt Hall with 11 dogs
5) Dallas Seavey with 15 dogs
6) Ryan Redington with 12 dogs
Next 6 are on the trail from Nulato to Kaltag including:
7) Pete Kaiser running with 11 dogs 615 miles in/367 to Nome
8) Jason Mackey running with 13 dogs 608 miles in/367 to Nome
9) Wally Robinson running with 14 dogs 597 miles in/378 to Nome
10) Hunter Keefe running with 12 dogs 593 miles in/382 to Nome
By tomorrow morning, all of the top 10 should have reached the Bering Sea.
Something weird happening in Kaltag. Someone pulled out - it's dark and the camera crew could not even be sure who it was. Thought it was Dallas Seavey, but might have been Jessie Holmes. They started out, then turned around as if they had dropped something and went back to look. But now they have gone. Still not sure who that even was. If Dallas, they left after a short rest. If Jessie, he was resting for about 4.5 hours, which would be pretty typical.
Looks like Paige is getting ready to drop a dog as well, but hard to see on the live stream who is who and the cameraman is not sure either. Will hopefully sort things out soon.
Edit: GPS and leader board confirm that was Dallas Seavey. Pulled out at 9:01 PM Alaska/1:01 AM east coast with 12 dogs having dropped 3 in Kaltag. I can't remember ever seeing anyone drop 3 dogs at once. He is pushing hard having rested less than 2.5 hours.
Jessie Holmes is getting his team ready and should be pulling out soon to chase Travis and Dallas. Jessie will have rested about 4.5 hours. Paige is up as well.
Interview with Paige from earlier in Kaltag was posted. She continues to say she is not pushing hard. Feels she is the limiting factor and not the dogs. The dogs are ready to go, but there have been some muscle issues and a bug with the team and she is trying to manage that and have fun with the team rather than worry about positions. But she is realizing that she is up with the leaders. Matt Hall had told her she was having some of the fastest runs. At the end, they asked her if she had anything to say to the 'Squiders' following her (recall, the kennel she and Cody run is Squid Acres Kennel) and her response was:
"Thanks for following. We're having fun out here."
By the way, link to her and honorary Hokie by marriage Cody's kennel and company for those interested.
https://squidacres.com/
Jessie Holmes' team is going bonkers and ready to go.
He just pulled out at 1:47 AM east coast/9:47 PM Alaska.
Matt Hall's team is howling up a storm and is ready to pull out.
Analyst interview being set up to discuss the teams pulling out. And my wife is saying I need to go to sleep.
Paige, as she said, appears to not want to push it.
Matt Hall pulled out at 9:49 PM Alaska/1:49 AM chasing Dallas and Jessie.
Edit: and Wally Robinson just pulled in. A whole heck of a lot going on at what is normally a small, mostly native, village on the Yukon!
Dallas Seavey has closed to within 7 miles of Travis Beals, while Jessie Holmes and Matt Hall are both 11 miles back. Beals is still resting on the trail and has been there since about 5:50 PM Alaska/9:50 PM east coast, so his team has had ~5.5 hours rest. If Dallas blows by him, could be Dallas' race. If Travis pulls out soon, he could maintain the lead with a more well-rested team. Getting really fun now.
God I wish they had a camera where Travis is camped out on the trail.
Sunday morning, March 10.
Looks like the teams have been resting quite a bit. Had expected the leaders to have reached the coast, but the top 14 are all still on the trail. And, once again, people are bunched up tightly.
1) Jessie Holmes resting on the trail with 11 dogs 676 mile in/299 to Nome
2) Travis Beals resting on the trail with 10 dogs 676 mile in/299 to Nome
3) Matt Hall resting on the trail with 11 dogs 676 mile in/299 to Nome
4) Dallas Seavey resting on the trail with 12 dogs 676 mile in/299 to Nome
5) Paige Drobny running with 11 dogs 674 miles in/301 to Nome, having dropped 3 in Kaltag
6) Ryan Redington running with 12 dogs 672 miles in/303 to Nome
7) Pete Kaiser running with 11 dogs 664 miles in/311 to Nome
8) Aaron Burmeister running with 11 dogs 658 miles in 317 to Nome
9) Jeff Deeter running with 13 dogs 649 miles in/326 to Nome
10) Wally Robinson running with 14 dogs 647 miles in/328 to Nome
They never did have, or they just did not post, an analyst video about what all was happening last night at Kaltag.
Wow, top 7 within 12 miles of each other after 664+ miles is pretty incredible.
And at about 6:40 AM Alaska/10:40 AM east coast, Paige has caught up with the leaders. She has also stopped with the top 4 and GPS has her third. I presume that is just based on where people are parked. There are supposed to be a couple spots along the trail that people camp. They must be at one of those spots to all be together. From the Iditarod website describing the trail from Kaltag to Unalakleet:
"There are two excellent resting spots on the trail, fifteen miles apart: the Tripod Flats cabin is 35 miles from Kaltag, and the Old Woman cabin is 15 miles farther on, about 35 miles from Unalakleet. Both are snug log cabins maintained by BLM and the local villages and can provide welcome refuges in case you encounter a storm."
Time for some Hokie-juice in Paige's Pups food. Let's Go!!!.
Zooming in on the GPS map, can confirm that everyone was resting at Old Woman cabin. The first 5 have pulled out and the next 5 are at the cabin. At about 3:20 PM east coast we have:
1) Jessie Holmes running 11 dogs 700 miles in/275 to Nome
2) Dallas Seavey running 12 dogs 698 miles in/277 to Nome
3) Travis Beals running 10 dogs 688 miles in/287 to Nome
4) Matt Hall running 11 dogs 686 miles in/289 to Nome
5) Paige Drobny running 11 dogs 680 miles in/295 to Nome
6-10 all at Old Woman's cabin 676 miles in/299 to Nome
6) Ryan Redington with 12 dogs
7) Hunter Keefe with 11 dogs
8) Matt Failor with 13 dogs
9) Pete Kaiser with 11 dogs
10) Jason Mackey with 12 dogs
Jessie looks to be about 10 miles from Unalakleet and the coast.
Latest analyst video was posted at ~11 AM Alaska/3 PM east coast.
Was -30 this morning in Kaltag. Rookie Josi Thyr came in - she is leading all rookies, currently in 19th place with 11 dogs - and she said it was at least -40 last night on the Yukon River. Her thermometer on the sled only goes down to -40 and so it might have been even lower.
Commented that the leading mushers had been resting for 3-5 hours and Old Woman's cabin, so all of those teams should be well rested. The parking area at Unalakleet is fairly exposed and the area is notorious for high winds, so there is speculation people were resting at Old Woman's so they could quickly move through the Unalakleet checkpoint and get up into the Blueberry Hills where there is some timber and they will be shielded from the wind. Thought is that many teams will take their rest in that area rather than at the checkpoint.
There had not been an Iditarod in decades that didn't have any mushers scratch before the Yukon River. The record keeping was not always that precise in the early years, so they were not really sure when the last time was no one had scratched before the Yukon, but it's been a long time. Alas, rookie Erin Altemus did scratch at Ruby with 10 dogs. That is the start of the Yukon River, so it has been a long run with no one dropping out.
Rookie Bryce Mumford is now in the red lantern position. Resting on the trail with 12 dogs 515 miles in/460 to Nome.
Update on Faloo, Dallas' injured dog. She is home and doing well. This is from his Facebook page:
"Faloo Update! 🐕❤️
Faloo has been cheering her Dad and team on from the comfort of the couch. Faloo is resting, eating and taking short walks surrounded by our amazing team here at the kennel.
We'd like to once again Thank the Iditarod Vets, PET ER and all our supporters and fans. 🐾❤️
Thanks for continuing to keep Faloo and Dallas Seavey Racing in your thoughts and prayers."
From 20% chance, to 50% chance, to home resting is a miracle.
Sure is good news. Sadly, Dallas' kennel did lose a dog on the "B" team running the race.
Sunday evening, March 10.
Jessie Holmes pulled into Unalakleet in first place and decided to rest there. Dallas Seavey pulled in second just about 15 minutes after Jessie, but he chose to go through and is now camped on the trail. Several mushers, including Paige, have since come into Unalakleet and have decided to rest there and mushers 6-11 are approaching the coast.
1) Dallas Seavey - resting on the trail with 12 dogs, 724 miles in/251 to Nome
2-5 all resting in Unalakleet, 714 miles in/261 miles to Nome
2) Jessie Holmes with 11 dogs
3) Travis Beals with 10 dogs
4) Matt Hall with 11 dogs
5) Paige Drobny with 11 dogs - leader board says she has not arrived yet, but GPS has her resting in Unalakleet
6) Ryan Redington, running with 12 dogs 708 miles in/267 to Nome
7) Jeff Deeter, running with 12 dogs 699 miles in/276 to Nome (by the way, Jeff's wife Kattie Jo Deeter is the reporter and analyst in Unalakleet now)
8) Jason Mackey, running 12 dogs 699 miles in/276 to Nome
9) Mille Porsild, running 13 dogs 698 miles in/277 to Nome
10) Jessie Royer, running with 10 dogs in/281 miles to Nome
Pete Kaiser in 11th is also on the trail, but teams in 12th through 16th are all resting at Old Woman's cabin.
Latest analysts video.
Unfortunately, a dog did die on rookie Isaac Teaford's team. Isaac works for Dallas Seavey's kennel and was running the kennel's "B" team this year. A necropsy will be conducted on 2 year old Bog. No cause of death known yet. Assumption is that Isaac will retire from the race but do not have an official word yet.
Rookie Gabe Dunham was about 2 miles outside of Kaltag when she likely fell asleep. Said she looked down at her watch and, the next thing she knew, her face was planted in the snow with the team pulling away. She tried calling and running them down, but they just sped up with the sled now lighter. The team followed the trail and ran right into the checkpoint, where people got them settled in. Gabe walked the rest of the way in.
Looking forward in the race, the next checkpoint is Shaktoolik. From there, teams head out across the Norton Sound sea ice on their way to Koyuk. A moderate wind is expected to be blowing out of the north providing a headwind against the teams. Looked at the weather reports for Shaktoolik and Koyuk and the seemed to be having temperatures from about -20 to about 0 and winds of about 15-20 mph for the next couple of days. However, they pointed out that the weather out on the sea ice can be very different from what it is at the start or finish of that run, so those weather reports might not mean much.
Feeling is that teams are going to have to make a move soon if they want to have a shot at winning. At this point, there are only so many chess moves left. If you are behind, you cannot let the leader get too far in front as there will not be enough time left to make things up - unless something like a storm comes in and causes everyone to stop, which does happen. There is a mandatory 8 hour layover at White Mountain, 77 miles from Nome, so every team will be rested pulling out of there. It is almost impossible to close a significant gap between White Mountain and Nome (barring something like the aforementioned bad weather stopping the leader), so you have to stay at or close to the leader position during the ~185 miles from Unalakleet to White Mountain to have a chance at the top spot.
In terms of a favorite, were saying Dallas, Jessie and Ryan were in real contention and Paige could be if she decides to "put the pedal to the metal" but that is not something she has been trying to do. Also mentioned Matt Hall as having a chance. Did not mention Travis Beals, so may feel like his team is not strong enough at the finish. He did lose the large lead pretty quickly and had far-and-away, the slowest speeds among the leaders from Kaltag to Unalakleet.
I know my dogs would do the exact same thing, Gabe.
Additional crazy trail stories. There is a pizza place in Unalakleet, Peace on Earth. They take orders from fans and deliver them to the mushers. They can also have messages written on the box. Well, it was just a few at first, but as people heard about it, more and more people call in pizzas for mushers - including getting calls from Australia, Sweden, Switzerland and UK. Normally, people may have a few slices and then they give it out and the whole town ends up eating. Matt Failor had something like 12 large pizzas waiting for him 1 year and he decided to take them on the sled to the next checkpoint to have them there and spread the pizza around.
2 more mushers have scratched. As expected, rookie Isaac Teaford scratched in Nulato.
Rookie Connor McMahon scratched in Galena with 11 dogs in harness.
Dallas Seavey and Jessie Holmes have both started moving and Matt Hall has just pulled out as well.
1) Dallas Seavey running 12 dogs 730 miles in/245 to Nome
2) Jessie Holmes running 11 dogs 721 miles in/254 to Nome
3) Matt Hall - just pulled out with 11 dogs; was listed as resting when I started typing this post
4-9 are all resting in Unalakleet, 714 miles in/261 to Nome
4) Travis Beals
5) Paige Drobny
6) Ryan Redington
7) Jeff Deeter
8) Mille Porsild
9) Jason Mackey
10) Pete Kaiser is just pulling into the checkpoint with 11 dogs as I type
Thanks again for continuing to update this. I love the stories.
Beals departed Unalakleet just before 11pm Eastern.
Thanks for all these updates, it's really addictive. If anyone wants to see some locality related content, there is a Discovery (?) show, "Flying Wild Alaska" about a bush plane airline based in Unalakleet.
Damn, why did I not know this before Paige got to Unalakleet? Would totally buy Paige and team some pizza! (And dog treats, if they have them.)
"You can do it! Hokie Nation is behind you! LET'S GO!"
P.S. I can hear it now from my wife: "Who the hell are you buying pizzas for in Alaska?!?"
Wife: You bought pizza for a dog?
Me: no that would be silly
Wife: ok good
Me: I bought pizza for 11 dogs
Wife: that doesn't make it any better, why the fuck would you buy pizza for 11 dogs?
Me: Cause they're probably hungry
Wife: Dogs are always hungry
Me: And Kaley loved pizza
Wife: don't you bring her into this
Me: carbs are good for long distance runs, gives you something to burn!
Wife: you're an idiot.
She's right, you know. ;>)
She didn't even bring up his cucumber 🥒🥒🥒 fetish.
My experience with dogs and pizza indicates you may not want to give them pizza. Dog found a Little Caesars pizza the kids had left out at a slumber party. Puke and diarrhea all over the place the next morning.
Dogs on the Iditarod are consuming insane amounts of calories. I've heard stories of them being given whole sticks of butter, just for the calories.
In the 9 days of racing so far, each dog has needed 135,000 calories. A single pepperoni pizza from LC is 2,300. They would need 50 of them to get to this point.
Pepperoni pizza, the fuel of champions!
Tied up with work, so quick update Monday morning, May 11.
Dallas Seavey is resting on the trail just outside of Shaktoolik, just before the sea ice.
Jessie Holmes, Travis Beals and Matt Hall are all resting in Shaktoolik, 15 miles behind Dallas.
Paige is in 5th, running 11 dogs and should reach Shaktoolik within the hour if she does not stop.
2 veterans have scratched.
Deke Naaktgeboren scratched in Nulato with 10 dogs
Hunter Keefe, who was doing quite well, scratched in Unalakleet with 10 dogs
Better update now at about 9:30 AM east coast.
Dallas Seavey is more than half way across the Norton Sound. Jessie Holmes and Matt Hall have also started across and Travis Beals just pulled out of Shaktoolik. Jessie and Matt have been running side-by-side on the tracker since leaving Shaktoolik, so I presume they are running the sea ice together. Several teams are still in the running, but I would not want to bet against Seavey at this point. We have:
1) Dallas Seavey running 11 dogs 786 miles in/189 to Nome
2) Jessie Holmes running 10 dogs 768 miles in/207 to Nome
3) Matt Hall running 11 dogs 768 miles in/207 to Nome
4) Travis Beals running 10 dogs 758 miles in/217 to Nome
5) Paige Drobny resting at Shaktoolik with 11 dogs 756 miles in/219 to Nome
6) Jeff Deeter resting at Shaktoolik with 12 dogs with 11 dogs 756 miles in/219 to Nome
7) Jessie Royer approaching Shaktoolik with 10 dogs 753 miles in/22 to Nome
8) Mille Porsild running 13 dogs 743 miles in/232 to Nome
9) Pete Kaiser running 11 dogs 736 miles in/239 to Nome
10) Amanda Otto running 12 dogs 733 miles in/242 to Nome
Paige's best ever finish was 7th place, which she did in 2019 and 2020. Looks like she is in a good spot to finish something like 4th-7th.
At this point, Paige has been in Shaktoolik for about 2h20m. Seavey, Holmes, and Beals are still the only three that have left Shaktoolik, and there are four resting in the town at this point.
And the race map, just as a reminder of how far they've gone.
Wait, is that next leg OVER WATER?!?!?
Yes, sea ice, couple teams on it already according to Frosty's update. Go Paige Puppies, Go!!!
Seavey, Holmes, and Hall have successfully swam across Norton Bay and have entered the Koyuk checkpoint. Seavey has since left, and is headed towards Elim. Beals, Drobny, and Deeter have left Shaktoolik, and are currently swimming towards Koyuk.
If you're going to cross the Norton Bay, why not just go straight across to Elim, or better yet, bypass Elim too and head towards Golovin?
At 2 PM east coast time, GPS tracker has Paige and Jeff Deeter both crossing the sea ice. Each has 11 dogs. Paige 772 miles in/203 to Nome and Jeff 771 miles in/204 to Nome. They have been running together since leaving Shaktoolik, so I presume they are running the ice together/able to support each other like Jessie Holmes and Matt Hall were doing.
Homes and Hall blazed across the ice. Much, much faster than Seavey.
I had not even looked at the average speed. Jessie and Matt doing 8.5-9 mph and Dallas doing about 5 mph. But I think that is because of Dallas resting on the trail. Those speeds are between the checkpoints. Since Dallas left Shaktoolik and rested on the trail, the average speed between checkpoints included his rest break. Since Jessie and Matt rested in Shaktoolik, the average time only includes their actual travel time. And when I replayed the tracker, they never stopped for any meaningful length of time. That should be the reason for the big speed difference.
Ahhh. Thanks for the explanation.
You are doing double duty on this subject. Play by play and color commentary. Do you see yourself more as Al Michaels or Chris Collinsworth? 😂
I'd want to be Michaels so I could have had the 'Do you believe in miracles? Yes!' moment.
Depends. NFL Al Michaels or Baseketball Al Michaels?
Chris Collinsworth is such a tool. Nobody wants to consider themselves to be like him.
Latest snapshot has Beals into the Koyuk checkpoint, but Paige still between Shaktoolik and Koyuk, and that was almost 30min ago. Since they were (probably) mushing together over the ice, Paige should be in Koyuk by now.
Still enroute as of 12:35pm.
Monday evening after work but before I have to get my daughter to swim practice update. Dallas Seavey continues to lead with Jessie Holmes and Matt Hall continuing to trail by ~15 miles. Paige arrived safely in Koyuk along with Jeff Deeter. Leader board has Jeff ahead as he pulled in 1 minute before Paige, but the GPS has Paige in front of him. Going with the GPS, we have:
1) Dallas Seavey running 11 dogs 823 miles in/152 to Nome
2) Jessie Holmes running 10 dogs 809 miles in/166 to Nome
3) Matt Hall running 11 dogs 808 miles in/167 to Nome
4) Travis Beals resting in Koyuk with 10 dogs, 804 miles in/171 to Nome
5) Paige Drobny resting in Koyuk with 11 dogs, 804 miles in/171 to Nome
6) Jeff Deeter resting in Koyuk with 11 dogs, 804 miles in/171 to Nome
7) Millie Porsild running 13 dogs 785 miles in/190 to Nome
8) Jessie Royer running 10 dogs 782 miles in/193 to Nome
9) Wally Robinson running 14 dogs 761 miles in/214 to Nome
10) Amanda Otto running 12 dogs 760 miles in/215 to Nome
Also, screen shot of the video showing Matt Hall going across the sea ice on Norton Sound at sunrise.
![]()
" />
We are all rooting for you, Paige. Go Hokies!
Monday night at 10:09 PM east coast and the GPS tracker says Paige has just pulled out of Koyuk. Leader board has not been updated, so no official time out yet. We have:
1) Dallas Seavey, out of Elim and on the trail to White Mountain where everyone has to take an 8 hour layover, running with 10 dogs 855 miles in/120 to Nome
2) Jessie Holmes running with 10 dogs 837 miles in/138 to Nome
3) Matt Hall running with 11 dogs 837 miles in/138 to Nome
4) Travis Beals running with 10 dogs 813 miles in/162 to Nome
5) Paige Drobny supposedly just pulled out of Koyuk, running with 11 dogs 804 miles in/171 to Nome
6) Jeff Deeter resting in Koyuk 804 miles in/171 to Nome
7) Mille Porsild resting in Koyuk 804 miles in/171 to Nome
8) Jessie Royer resting in Koyuk 804 miles in/171 to Nome
9) Pete Kaiser running on the ice with 10 dogs 796 miles to Nome
10) Amanda Otto running on the ice with 12 dogs 793 miles in/182 to Nome
Will be interesting to see if Jeff Deeter follows Paige quickly or if she is able to pull away from him.
Latest analyst video said it is Dallas' race to lose. He pretty much has to make a mistake or have bad luck/a breakdown/a storm to avoid getting a record setting 6th Iditarod win. Currently tied with Rick Swenson at 5.
Veteran Aaron Burmeister, who came out of retirement to run this year, scratched in Unalakleet with 11 dogs.
And before I could even finish typing this up, Jeff Deeter pulled out of Koyuk as well. Should be a battle for 4th-6th with Travis Beals, Paige and Jeff Deeter. Everyone further back came into Koyuk more than 2 hours after Paige or has not gotten to Koyuk yet. Jessie and Matt are too far ahead to be caught unless something unusual happens, which is always possible. Even if Paige comes in 6th, it will be her highest finish ever. And with a team that was considered young and inexperienced to boot.
Ron Swanson's cousin?
Dallas Seavey pulled into White Mountain at 11:53 PM Alaska time/3:53 AM east coast with 10 dogs. He will be eligible to start the final run into Nome at 7:53 AM Alaska/11:53 PM east coast. Current standings are:
1) Dallas Seavey resting in Nome with 10 dogs, 898 miles in/77 to Nome
2) Matt Hall running 9 dogs 892 miles in/83 to Nome
3) Jessie Holmes running 10 dogs 879 miles in/96 to Nome
4) Travis Beals running 9 dogs 858 miles in/117 to Nome
5) Jeff Deeter resting in Elim with 11 dogs, 852 miles in/122 to Nome
6) Paige Drobny resting in Elim with 10 dogs, 852 miles in/122 to Nome; pulled in at 12:48 AM Alaska/4:48 PM east coast and 37 minutes behind Jeff
7) Mille Porsild running 13 dogs 842 miles in/133 to Nome
8) Jessie Royer running 10 dogs 829 miles in/146 to Nome
9) Pete Kaiser running 9 dogs 822 miles in/153 to Nome
10) Amanda Ott running 12 dogs 820 miles in/155 to Nome
Gaps are big enough that - barring something bad happening - the top 3 should be pretty much set. And Beals would have to really falter to not take 4th.
At about 3:30 AM local time/7:30 AM east coast, Paige and Jeff both pulled out of Elim on their way to White Mountain. Millie Porsild pulled into Elim right as they were pulling out. Will see if Millie rests her team there or goes through in pursuit of Paige and Jeff.
GPS has Paige back in 5th, 1 mile ahead of Jeff.
Leaderboard not updated, so no official times for any of this.
Edit: looks like Millie did go through the checkpoint following Paige and Jeff. They had several hours rest in Elim, so hopefully they can maintain the lead on Millie in that 5th-7th place grouping.
So at noon east coast, looks like Paige is running in 5th place wit 10 dogs, 883 miles in/392 to Nome and 15 miles to White Mountain. Looking at her average speed on this run, guessing she will arrive at the checkpoint around 2 PM east coast/10 AM Alaska. Maybe a few minutes later than that. For positioning, we have:
Dallas Seavey, Matt Hall and Jessie Holmes with the top 3 positions all but locked up.
Travis Beals ~7 miles ahead of Paige - unlikely she could catch up unless he has a problem
Jeff Deeter 1 mile ahead of Paige - very much up in the air for 5th/6th place
Paige - very much up in the air for 5th/6th place
Mille Porsild ~7 miles behind Paige - unlikely she could catch up unless Paige has a problem
Paige and Jeff have been running together almost the entire time since leaving Shaktoolik yesterday morning. Might be that they plan to do the whole stretch together. Was 1 stretch a little bit before Elim where Jeff pulled ahead a bit, but mostly they have been within 0-2 miles of each other for more than 24 hours.
And Dallas Seavey just pulled out of White Mountain at 7:53 AM Alaska/11:53 AM east cost for the final 77 miles to Nome. Should arrive tonight east coast unless problems occur.
Tavis Beals just checking into White Mountain at 1:22 PM east coast according to my clock. Jeff Deeter is 1 mile out and Paige is 4 miles out.
Travis' team coming in.
![]()
" />
Edit: Jeff's team coming in now. He has almost completely caught up with Travis and pulled a bit away from Paige. Team has been going really well. Have to think he'll take 4th the way the last few segments have gone. Analysts noting his team is trotting in at a much faster pace.
And they are barking up a storm, wanting to go on. But they have to stop. Way more energetic than Travis's team. Will see how Paige's team looks and sounds when they arrive.
Paige just pulling into view on the life stream.
Camera man is having a conversation with a little kid about the race as she is pulling up :-).
At ~4:45 PM east coast, Jessie Holmes just pulled out. Matt Hall had already left at 11:01 AM Alaska/4:01 PM. Matt is about 9 miles ahead of Jessie. Dallas is way out in front, running with 10 dogs 936 miles in/39 to Nome, but as the analyst in White Mountain said, you never know what can happen. A couple years ago there was that massive storm that blocked scores of teams right near the end causing Search and Rescue to come out and many teams to scratch. It was beautifully clear weather in White Mountain throughout that time. A few years before that, first Jeff King and then Aliy Zirkle were 1 and 2 and a couple hours ahead of Dallas and both of them got caught in storms and Dallas won that race. Ain't over till it's over.
Paige will be eligible to pull out at 5:48 PM Alaska time/9:48 PM east coast.
What the hell happened to Nic Petit?
I don't know. Had not heard anything. Know he did fall back into the pack. Listed in 12th place now.
At 4:49 PM Alaska, 8:49 PM east coast, Dallas Seavey is within 5 miles of the finish. Should be there soon. Leader board is:
1) Dallas Seavey running 10 dogs 970 miles in/5 to Nome
2) Matt Hall running 8 dogs 923 miles in/36 to Nome
3) Jessie Holmes running 8 dogs 923 miles in/52 to Nome
Next 7 all resting in White Mountain
4) Travis Beals - eligible to leave at 5:21 PM Alaska/9:21 PM east coast
5) Jeff Deeter - eligible to leave at 5:26 PM Alaska/9:26 PM east coast
6) Paige Drobny - eligible to leave at 5:48 PM Alaska/9:48 PM east coast
7) Mille Porsild - eligible to leave at 7:14 PM Alaska/11:21 PM east coast
8) Jessie Royer - eligible to leave at 11:32 PM Alaska/3:32 AM east coast
9) Amanda Otto - eligible to leave at 11:40 PM Alaska/3:40 AM east coast
10) Pete Kaiser - eligible to leave at 11:55 PM Alaska/3:55 AM east coast
And at my unofficial time of 9:16 PM east coast/5:16 PM Alaska, Dallas Seavey reaches the arches in Nome.
![]()
" />
Only sad to see it end. It's been a great post to track.
Oh plenty more teams on the trail to pull for. Red lantern musher won't come in for a few days.
I have a terrible feeling I am going to be at the shop getting my car worked on when Paige arrives tomorrow morning. Guess I'll find out.
Next 3 teams are all out of White Mountain and on their way to Safety, the last checkpoint on the trail before Nome.
Jeff Deeter pulled out with 10 dogs at 5:27 PM Alaska/9:27 PM east coast; currently 904 miles in/71 to Nome
Travis Beals pulled out with 7 dogs at 5:31 PM Alaska/9:31 PM east coast; currently 900 miles in/75 to Nome
Paige Drobny pulled out with 10 dogs at 5:48 PM Alaska/9:48 PM east coast; currently 99 miles in/75 to Nome
Travis was eligible to leave 10 minutes before he did. My guess is he knew Jeff's team was going to pass him, so he stepped aside and let him go first, but don't know. Given that Paige has already closed the gap with Travis, she'll probably overtake him for 5th place unless they are purposely deciding to ride in together.
Wednesday morning, March 13 has 3 teams into Nome and several more approaching. We have:
1) Dallas Seavey into Nome with 10 dogs at 5:08 PM Alaska/9:08 PM east coast
2) Matt Hall into Nome with 7 dogs at 9:57 PM Alaska/1:57 AM east coast
3) Jessie Holmes into Nome with 8 dogs at 11:18 PM Alaska/3:18 AM east coast
4) Jeff Deeter running 10 dogs 971 miles in/4 to Nome
5) Paige Drobny running 9 dogs 961 miles in/14 to Nome
6) Travis Beals running 7 dogs 954 miles in/21 to Nome
7) Mille Porsild running 12 dogs 936 miles in/39 to Nome
8) Amanda Otto running 12 dogs 920 miles in/55 to Nome
9) Jessie Royer running 10 dogs 919 miles in/56 to Nome
10) Pete Kaiser running 8 dogs 917 miles in/57 to Nome
Paige should be arriving in less than 2 hours, maybe around 8 or 8:15 AM east coast. And yeah, I'll be at the shop with my car. Hopefully someone else can post her arrival. I'll try and post a screen capture later in the day as they usually have a video of every team as the arrive in Nome.
Red lantern position is held by Bryce Mumford, resting on the trail with 12 dogs between Kaltag and Unalakleet, 670 miles in/305 to Nome.
Edit: Jeff Deeter just pulled in to take 4th place.
Dieter crossed the finish line around 6:52 Eastern.
Paige should be crossing anytime now.
Any other German mushers?
Peter Kaiser
Amanda Otto
Aaron Burmeister
Well I wasn't looking for actual information, just wanted to throw in an old SNL reference. 😂
However very nicely done.
Not even knowing if they are German, just German last names.
I'm pretty sure Pete Kaiser is native. Or at least part native.
One of the best old SNL references. I never pass up an opportunity to make a Sprockets joke.
PAIGE crossed at 8:12 in 5th place, a career best finish for the Hokie
Not bad when she said she wasn't going to be pushing hard
That might point to an even better finish next year
Definitely. Looks like the new dogs are winners.
Dare I say, they got that dog in them?
Thank you for stepping in 07Hokie. I had just gotten my car checked in and when I got to the feed on my phone, she was at the finish line.
It's been great following along and cheering for a Hokie! Thank you for making it easy!
A couple screen captures from the video of Paige's finish. Coming down Front Street in Nome and then with honorary Hokie by marriage, Cody Strathe, posing with some of the dogs.
![]()
" />
![]()
" />
Official time on route was 9 days, 13 hours, 12 minutes and 26 seconds. Interview at the end asked about the dog's ages. She said mostly 3 and 4 year old's. A couple were 7, but she let the young ones lead. Reporter noted Paige has always said she was not really competitive, but with her highest finish and that she had some of the fastest runs, did that mean she was a racer now? Responded, no. Says she will always be cautious and conservative. The dogs wanted to go fast and she just let them go at their pace.
Mentioned that in the middle of the race, she was really struggling with sleep deprivation. The dogs were doing much better. There was an interview when she was at Old Woman's cabin and you could see that she was really exhausted. Said she had been slowing down the team and they were looking back at her with the what are you doing lady, we want to go look, but she slowed them down.
Bruce Lee, the main analyst, had noted earlier that he was curious what the team could have done if she really tried to push it. But with the issues other mushers have had this year, I'm glad she is being conservative and not pushing the pace.
Congrats on a great run to her and the team.
Still plenty more to go. Top 6 are in Nome and several more will come in today, but will be a while before the last musher makes it in.
1) Dallas Seavey
2) Matt Hall
3) Jessie Holmes
4) Jeff Deeter
5) Paige Drobny
6) Travis Beals - came in about 1.5 hours after Paige
7) Mille Porsild running 11 dogs 966 miles in/9 to Nome
8) Pete Kaiser running 8 dogs 957 miles in/18 to Nome
9) Amada Otto running 12 dogs 956 miles in/19 to Nome
10) Jessie Royer running 10 dogs 956 miles in/19 to Nome
15) Rookie Josi Thyr is taking her 8 hours in White Mountain and is the top rookie musher. Way ahead of the next one, so she should be rookie of the year
31) Rookie Bryce Mumford is resting on the trail with 12 dogs 670 miles in/305 to Nome in the red lantern position
7 mushers have scratched.
Do we really care, though? Paige is in. ;^)
Absolutely crazy they started with 16 dogs and some finished with 7 so far.
We should try and get an AMA with Paige. That would be so cool.
At least then next year, when we send her pizza, she'll have an idea who the hell these random people are that are sending her pizza.
Second question after Cake or Pie, is what topping do you want on your pizza next year?
That would be amazing 😍
I'd love it! Who do we ask about trying to set this up?
My fear would be (1) she would agree to it, (2) she would read this thread and (3) she would realize how little I really know and that I had no business commenting so much!
Well, she might just be able to better inform us.
Well maybe she'll think "these people don't know anything, I should answer their questions"
I mean, there's a phone number published on the interwebs for her kennel 🤷♀️
Well deserved leg
/s
If I could give you more than 1 leg for this whole thread, I would. I REALLY enjoyed reading about Paige and the Iditarod for the last couple week.
You can leg each of his comments and give him about 80 🍗
~100 actually
This is the way! gif
we need a Frosty position on the leaderboard before and after Iditarod post
Done
Thank you everyone. Glad people have enjoyed the journey.
Thursday evening, March 14 and things are winding down. Could finish completely by the end of the day tomorrow, but we will see.
22 teams are safely into Nome, 8 are still in the race and 8 have scratched. The most recent to scratch was rookie Bryce Mumford in Unalakleet. Of the remaining teams, we have:
23) Lara Kittelson running 12 dogs 960 miles in/15 miles to Nome
24) Anna Hennessy running 12 dogs 954 miles in/21 to Nome
25) Benjamin Good resting in White Mountain with 11 dogs; he will be eligible to go in a few hours
26) Sean Williams running 10 dogs 882 miles in/93 to Nome
27) Jeff Reid running 10 dogs 879 miles in 96 to Nome
28) Lauro Eklund running 12 dogs 873 miles in/102 to Nome
29) Severin Cathry running 12 dogs 873 miles in/102 to Nome
30) Joshua Robbins in the red lantern position resting with 12 dogs in Elim
Now you are just fishing for extra legs! :)
Red Lantern seems locked up. is there also an award for first rookie to Nome?
Yes, there is a rookie of the
tear(oops, year) for the top rookie finisher. Went to Josi Thyr, who came in 15th in a time of 10 days 6 hours 43 minutes and 37 seconds.Edit: this is from the Iditarod website: "As Rookie of the Year Josi will receive a trophy and a $2,000 check."
Friday morning, March 14.
24 teams are safely into Nome, 6 are still in the race and 8 have scratched. Will see if everyone completes today or if it spills over into Saturday. We currently have on the GPS tracker:
25) Benjamin Good running 10 dogs 970 miles in/5 to Nome (on the live stream, coverage team is at the finish line to welcome him in)
26) Jeff Reid running 9 dogs 913 miles in 62 to Nome
27) Lauro Eklund running 11 dogs 905 miles in/70 to Nome
28) Severin Cathry running 11 dogs 904 miles in/71 to Nome
29) Joshua Robbins resting in White Mountain with 11 dogs in; eligible to leave at 7:23 AM Alaska/11:23 AM east coast
30) Sean Williams in the red lantern position resting on the trail with 10 dogs 882 miles in/93 to Nome
Friday afternoon, March 15.
Rookie Sean Williams had left Elim, but was race officials contacted him as the team had not been making much progress on the trail to White Mountain. Sean decided to scratch at that point. Feel bad for him and the team getting so close, but glad he did not push the team too far. At about 5 PM east coast, we have:
26 teams safely into Nome
27) Jeff Reid with 8 dogs resting at the Safety checkpoint 953 miles in 22 to Nome
28) Severin Cathry with 11 dogs resting at the Safety checkpoint 953 miles in 22 to Nome
29) Joshua Robbins running 11 dogs 931 miles in/44 to Nome
9 teams have scratched.
Post-race interview with Paige. Long one, almost 25 minutes. Some of the highlights:
She had been blown off the road in a training run and banged up her knee. Is going to have an MRI done, but was waiting until after the race. Doctor had looked at it in a preliminary exam and said okay if she is fine with it. She just has a brace.
At the start in Anchorage, she was not sure how good the team would be. The kennel is not that big, but they had enough for 2 teams. Ran them in the Copper Basin 300 and the dogs were eager to go. Cody ended up finishing 3rd and Paige 4th, so she had an inkling that the team would be good, but 300 miles is not the same at almost 1,000 miles.
She and Cody had planned to do the Yukon Quest 450 mile race last month but cold weather and truck problems prevented that.
The team ran consistently and was steadily fast from the start through the Yukon River. She commented several times how consistent the team was.
Asked if she ever felt pressure or a real competitive drive as she was up near the front or as she was at Old Woman's cabin with so many top teams. Said not really. She never had a time or place or schedule goal in the race. Just wanted to have fun with the team and see what they can do. The fast runs and high finish were because that was what the team was doing. Feels one of the worst things she can do is push to be a winner and make the dogs tired, not wanting to eat, etc. Says she will always remain on the cautious side. Sees no point in getting a team that feels terrible to Nome and that she tries to not let what anyone else is doing influence her plan. The snow was sticky and tough going to Old Woman's cabin, so she did not want to push it to get past people.
Said she loves the sea coast. The dogs are used to training on tundra around Denali, so they are used to the open areas. Being from the interior, she rarely sees the coast and the sunrises and sunsets there are one of the things that keep her coming back. The dogs are not used to trees given where they live and train, so when they are going through wooded areas, that is when they get a bit crazy, whip the sled around and (said jokingly) try to kill the musher (i.e., her). She was cussing at them to slow down and she swears one of the 7 year olds on the team looked back and laughed at her.
Felt she had problems with sleep deprivation but thinks she managed the team well.
When asked about the future, said, well, we have tours starting next week. They have a lodge now, Susitna Adventure Lodge (note: not to be confused with Susitna River Lodge in Talketna, which was what popped up when I Googled "Susitna Lodge"). They have summer and winter activities with hiking, fishing, ice fishing, dog sledding, snow machines ... and a chef if anyone is interested.
https://susitnaadventurelodge.com/
From that website: "The Susitna Lodge was built in the 1950's and served as a seasonal roadhouse along the Denali Highway which was the only route at the time to access Denali National Park. It also operated as a hunting lodge plane base for remote hunting and fishing trips. The original lodge stopped providing services in the 1980's and has been mostly abandoned until it was bought in 2019 by Cody Strathe and Paige Drobny. They are working to rehabilitate and rebuild this amazing property!"
After that, said their goal is never winning the race. They have been doing this for 20 years and they want to know how well they are doing - with their training, with their nutrition program, are they contributing to the breed in a positive way. The only way to really know is to do things like these races.
I love winning, don't get me wrong. It's awesome. To hear Paige articulate so clearly, however, about prioritizing and enjoying the process of her team over the results is an absolute joy. Warms my teacher heart. I hope she feels how proud Hokie Nation is of her and her kennel. Way to go Paige!
I work with a fella that's been running the Yukon Ultra the past two years (it looks like he was only one of four finishers this year!).
I think it's a weather thing but typically the longest foot race allowed is 300 miles. Last year they allowed the runners to do the full 430 miles. In this format, they end up having the ultra overlap with the dog sled race. He said it was a pretty crazy experience (ultras already mess with your head, hallucinations are a given. It's hard to process a dozen huskies suddenly catching you and then just running past you in the middle of nowhere).
Friday evening, March 22. Looks like everyone remaining will finish the race today Alaska time, although it may be after midnight east coast.
26 teams safely into Nome
27) Jeff Reid with 8 dogs resting at the Safety checkpoint 953 miles in 22 to Nome
28) Severin Cathry with 11 dogs resting at the Safety checkpoint 953 miles in 22 to Nome
29) Joshua Robbins with 11 dogs resting at the Safety checkpoint 953 miles in/22 to Nome
9 teams have scratched.
And that goes to rookie Jeff Reid this year. Finishing the race with 7 dogs at 2:22 AM Alaska/6:22 AM east coast on Saturday, March 14. Official time of 12 days 11 hours 22 minutes and 1 second.
From the Iditarod website:
"As the Red Lantern winner, Reid receives $1,000 and has the honor of extinguishing the widow's lamp on the burled arch in Nome. The symbol of the widow's lamp dates back to when roadhouses were used in Alaska and extinguishing the lamp is a signal that no other mushers are out on the trail.
Lynden's "Committed through the Last Mile" Red Lantern Award will be re-presented to Reid at the Iditarod finishers banquet on Sunday, March 17, 2024."
That is a wrap for 2024.
Once again- thanks for doing this Chris!