After a winter that was more premature spring break-up than winter that saw races postpone and cancel, the Iditarod held out hope that all things would be a go. The race announced earlier in January they would make a final decision and announce February 3 of their final decision.
In true ITC fasion, however, they announced earlier - and after another musher's kennel had already spilled the beans Friday.
The "Southern Route" is the route traditionally run in Odd years. Called the Southern route because of where it enters the Yukon River, and trades off every other year with the Northern Route so as to ensure more Alaska Villages get a chance to host the Last Great Race.
"The Iditarod Trail Committee (ITC) is pleased to announce that after extensive trail flyovers, on-the-ground reports from snow machiners and information from Checkpoint communities," the race wrote, "the current weather conditions will allow for the race to run the Southern Route as originally planned."
There are still some concerns for areas that have little to no snow. The Willow area is nearly without and the Willow Community Winter Carnival canceled all sled dog events this past week due to no trail. "There may be some course modifications necessary, including the Official Restart of the race depending on snow coverage of the traditional Willow Lake start," wrote the ITC.
This would not be the first time they've had to move the restart from Willow Lake in recent years. During the 2021 Iditarod Race that ran its historic Gold Trail Loop route, they moved the start and finish to Deshka Landing. The Iron Dog announced earlier this month it planned to take its traditional course starting off from Big Lake as they head out toward Nome.
No matter where the race starts from the Iditarod assures fans and mushers alike that no major reroutes would have to take place if the Restart does not take place from Willow Lake but instead somewhere close by.
Even with no snow in Anchorage, the race still plans to hold the Ceremonial Start from its traditional Downtown Anchorage location. In 2016 when snow was late to appear in Alaska's largest city, the race truncated their traditional 11 mile Ceremonial Start to 3 miles. Not ideal, but there was still plenty of hype and action in those three miles.
The Ceremonial Start is set for 10am on March 1 with the ReStart to follow the next day at 2pm.
Thoughts on the early announcement? Excited? Skeptical? Comment below!
If you like what you see and want to support my addiction (I mean HOBBY) of following these races and stalking (I mean cheering on) the mushers, you can buy me a slice of pizza (that really goes to paying for my internet/web expenses).
