Mushing Radio - Iditarod 50: Willow Re-Start

Where to watch - The Iditarod Restart

Willow Restart, March 2018.

If you've ever experienced the double start of the Iditarod (Ceremonial and ReStart) you know that both offer a completely different vibe. The Ceremonial is a party and relaxed (as much as one can be as you prepare to drive a dog team through the largest city in the state) with celebrations and high fives. The Re-Start has a bit of that as well, but it's all business. This is the last time mushers will have a team of handlers to help get the team ready, the last time they'll have someone else cooking their meals or snacking their dogs, the last time they'll have had the chance to have a good night's sleep (let's face it, they don't sleep the night before). While the crowd is all about "trailgating" and parties along the trail on both days, the mushers are more focused on the race as they leave Willow Lake for 990+ miles of wilderness travel with 14 of their best friends.

When to get there

While teams don't leave the lake until 2pm AKST, a lot of prep has to happen before hand. Most teams are on the lake no later than 10am. To beat the traffic it's recommended to get there as early as possible. The start isn't the only thing going on. The community center (which is right there on the lake) hosts a pancake breakfast and a craft fair. There are also food trucks in the parking lot. The community of Willow takes the opportunity to show off the "mushing capitol of the World", take time to mingle. 

The staging area for the mushers is not accessible to the general public, but you can walk around it. The barriers are just the plastic fencing, and the trucks park along it. You just cannot walk INTO the staging area. Most teams get there early and some mushers are willing to chat with fans at the fencing, but remember that this is race day and they are focused on last minute details. This is where the media gets in their face for that last soundbite, and where they schmooze with sponsors one last time.

Still it is interesting to see the different styles of preparation as the start draws near. Some, like Martin Buser, look like they're trailgating with the rest of us. Others are all business (hello, Mitch Seavey). You can see the dogs, see the "celebrities", etc. Get there by 10am, the longer you wait, the more people will be wandering around the fencing and it's harder to get a good spot to watch.

Where to watch

This gets tricky because in order to get further out away from the crowd you have to have transportation, but then you miss the energy from hearing GO! and the dogs and all of that. So we'll just focus really on where you can watch on the lake. There is orange fencing that lines the trail off the lake, so you can at least know where they will be. At intervals there are "gates" that allow you to cross to the other side of the trail.

Some sections are closed for private groups, these are typically set up right by the start line. If you are lucky enough to tour with someone like Salmon Berry Tours, they have a tent set up with goodies (and a little warmth) as well as a shuttle to and from Willow (which is a huge plus!). There is also a media box close by as well, so you may not be able to get as close to teh starting line as you'd think... BUT! you can get lucky, especially if you slip in (or go behind the line) in the last few minutes before go time.

If you don't mind the walk you can walk the length of the fencing and find a comfortable spot that suits you. You cannot lean over the fencing or put your camera inside the fencing, so keep that in mind. A lot of onlookers will do this, but give the race the respect and the volunteers the love they deserve. If you are really adventurous (and don't mind the long walk) you can cross the lake and head up into the trees. The fencing goes away and you can watch as they cross roadways down the trail.

If you have the ability and don't get caught up watching the action in the staging area, you can travel via snow machine or ski or car and watch as they run through the Mat-Su valley. Deshka Landing is a favorite spot of race goers. You can also look into cabins along the trail that you can snowshoe into. Though, if this is your first time to the restart, I suggest staying on Willow lake and not trying to see it away from the start line. The energy is something one must experience at least once.

How to get there 

The Iditarod offers a shuttle to and from the ReStart. They have shuttles going from Anchorage, Houston (Alaska, not Texas), Wasilla, and Talkeetna. Standard fare for Anchorage (which picks up at the Lakefront) is $25, and $2 for everywhere else. The shuttles are typically elementary school buses, so be prepared for them to be packed and cramped.

There are also tours like Salmon Berry who will shuttle you to and from the restart, and treat you well. There is a little more breathing room, and treats are involved!

You can also drive. If coming from Anchorage plan about two hours of driving time on the way to the start, and at least two and a half closer to three on the way home (traffic is SLOW until you get past Wasilla, and if there's an accident just be prepared to be there a LONG while). There is parking provided across the street from the community center, and they charge $10 for parking now.


Tips

If you can stay in one of the closer towns (Wasilla or Big Lake or even Talkeetna) and take the shuttle in, that will help a lot. Anchorage is fantastic but it can be a real hassle traveling to and from the restart.

If you can't swing the drive yourself from Anchorage, try to find a tour that will take you. A lot easier than being on Iditarod's shuttle schedule.

Be prepared to walk, in deep sometimes very slushy snow. The lake often experiences overflow... and you don't know you're going to step in it sometimes... until you do. This is especially the case when you are around the musher's staging area.

If you plan on bringing an atv or snow machine, check out the Willow Trails Committee group on facebook to find out the dos and don'ts of where to go, how to park, what trails to ride on, etc.




Where's your favorite spot to watch? Have any tips to share? Comment below!

So you want to come to the Iditarod...

Kelly Maxiner celebrates during the Ceremonial Start of Iditarod 46.
March 3, 2018. Anchorage, AK.

For many a mushing fan, attending any part of the Iditarod is a bucket list item. The cost of travel, plus the unknown of what to expect detours a lot of fans from ever making the trek. So often when thinking of Iditarod people think of the cold, icy, remote parts of the trail that seem impossible to reach. While the vast majority of the race is like that, the Ceremonial and Official Starts are much more accessible, and close to the largest travel hub in the state.

In the coming weeks I'll give off tips, tricks, and answer frequently asked questions I've gotten over the years on how best to plan and prepare for a trip to the Last Great Race on Earth. So often, for me, it's hard to come up with answers because my experience is not one of travel and care - I've lived in Alaska my entire life. I have routines and being born and raised here I am used to the weather, the lack of sunlight, and other concerns "outsiders" typically have. I've reached out to others who have traveled to this great state for this race, and will share their tips along with my own.

All recommendations come without any kick back to myself or anyone else. I am not giving advice as a way to financially gain or get any sort of perks for sending anyone their way. All opinions are my own unless stated otherwise, and I can only go by what I have researched or experienced first hand.

When to come

This is the million dollar question. While the race runs about 2 weeks from start to finish, champion to red lantern, most fans cannot take off that kind of time, so the question becomes - when do you want to come and what do you want to see?

The start of the Iditarod is the first weekend of March - every year. It's tradition and there's no way they're going to change it any time soon. The entire mushing season in Alaska keeps the Iditarod tradition in mind when they schedule their races. The Ceremonial Start is Saturday and begins at 10am. Teams leave from the chute on 4th Avenue and D in Anchorage, AK and run roughly 11 miles through Anchorage to end at Campbell Airstrip where they load up the teams and head up the road to Willow, Alaska to prepare for the Re-Start (also called the official start). I plan on doing a blog post about the Ceremonial Start later on in this series, so for now we'll just work with the time and date.

Like most other sled dog races, the Iditarod has a staggered start. Each team leaves in bib draw order in two-minute intervals. The first musher out of the chute is typically the Jr Iditarod champion (Jr Iditarod takes place the weekend before Iditarod) and is carrying the Honorary Musher (or if that person was awarded the honor posthumously then a member of their family rides). They get Bib #1, so all racing teams get bib numbers 2 and up. Depending on how many teams sign up, you're looking at 2+ hours of watching teams take off in a celebration of pure Alaskan tradition.

But let's back up a couple of days. Before the ceremonial start, the mushers come together for a Musher's Banquet. Thursday before race weekend at 6pm the Dena'ina Center is filled with music, food, and lots of alcohol. This is where the mushers will thank their sponsors and draw their bib numbers. Their official media photos are taken for the Anchorage Daily News and Iditarod.com. They eat food and mingle. There is a silent auction as well as an outcry auction. And the best part? Fans can be a part of the action! As of 2018, autographs are no longer allowed during the banquet, however there is a Musher Meet and Greet prior to the banquet which begins at 4pm. Iditarod does not show a Meet and Greet on this year's calendar events, but when asked they would not confirm that it would or wouldn't be happening in 2019. All mushers must be in attendance at both the Meet and Greet as well as the Banquet. Both the Meet and Greet and Banquet are ticketed events, with the Meet and Greet being included with Banquet admission. Tickets go on sale by January.

In between Thursday's official events, and Saturday's Ceremonial start is Friday's "freebie day". This is a day that many mushers's sponsors host meet and greets with the mushers they support. Inlet Towers typically holds a meet and greet for Mitch Seavey and Jeff King. Comfort Inn/Matson host one with Aliy Zirkle and Allen Moore. Other meet and greets also happen. Most of these are not known about until the last minute unless you know where to look, or are on musher newsletter/emails/etc. A lot of mushers stay at the official hotel The Lakefront, and there are several book signings typically planned with different authors and mushers. If you have a few hours to kill you can hang out around the lobby and talk with other fans, eat food at one of two restaurants on property, or just people watch. There's also the official swag tables, and the registration desk for volunteers. (I'll have another blog about volunteer opportunities.)

Sunday is when the real race begins. The Re-Start takes place on the lake in Willow, Alaska. That's about a three hour drive from Anchorage - but don't worry! There are lots of options to get you there if you don't want to make the drive. I know I sound like a broken record, but there will be a blog in the coming weeks to give you a look at some ways to get there. The Re-Start is the official start of the Iditarod. It's what all of the mushers have waited for all year. For the rookies, it's the day they've dreamt about for years - some of them their entire lives. The teams take off starting with Bib #2 (remember earlier when I said Bib #1 was for the honorary musher? they only run in the Ceremonial Start), and leave in two-minute intervals. This will be made up later when teams take their mandatory rest along the trail. Teams hit the lake to start getting ready as early as 8:30am (maybe earlier, I never get there that soon). Spectators are allowed to walk around the chute that is "barricaded" by that lovely orange plastic fencing. You're able to take pictures, talk with the mushers and handlers, and see all the dogs. Most mushers don't get too chatty as they are in race mode, but there's a buzz like no other on race day. Spectators then line the chute on both sides all the way across the ice and into the woods. It continues for miles. It's a sporting tailgating party, a must do.

For the next 10 days the race is run through Alaska's rugged and most beautiful terrain. There are ways to get out onto the trail and watch teams come into different checkpoints. This is expensive, and I'll leave you to decide if you want to add it to your itinerary - there will be a blog for these options coming, but this blog is just about planning how long of a trip you want.

Like I said, it will take about 10 days for the teams to start coming in. If you're wanting to see the finish in Nome, most have to make the painful choice of attending either the start or the finish, otherwise you're looking at a lot of time off from work/home... and a huge credit card bill when all is said and done. Alaska is not cheap - and it gets significantly worse the further away from Anchorage you get. So keep that in mind when planning your trip. The top teams average finish is in 9 days, bringing them in on a Tuesday evening/Wednesday Morning. Mitch Seavey holds the fastest time in just over 8 days. There are only two flights into Nome a day during that time on a commercial airline (Alaska Airlines), the Sunday evening flight gets you in with typically a day, possibly two, to get your bearings and see the sights. There is A LOT to do during Iditarod week in Nome. If you can swing a week in Nome you have a good chance of seeing all of the mushers come in under the burled arch.

The sun shines bright over the burled arch in Nome, Alaska. March 2017.

The Finisher's Banquet in Nome takes place two weeks after the ReStart (Sunday). This is a pay at the door event and is where the mushers all come together and swap stories, mingle with friends, family, fans and the community of Nome. Sometimes the banquet happens before all of the teams come in - but lately the red lantern has come in in enough time to participate in the festivities. The Banquet begins at 4pm and tries to end in enough time for folks to make it to the airport should they be flying out on Sunday night. The final flight of the day leaves around 9:30pm, so you may miss a few of the awards, but for the most part you should be fine. You don't need to be at the airport 2 hours before hand. Their TSA is... interesting. But that's for another blog (yes, soon).

Suggested time-frame

So what do I recommend for a bucket list Iditarod trip? Well, I could just be cruel and say blow 3 weeks worth of savings and come from beginning to end. I mean, we're talking bucket list, right?! But, if you are like me and have a limited income and so time and money are precious, I can suggest a few ideas.

For the Starts:
Fly in Tuesday Evening, Spend Wednesday touring locales near Anchorage like Girdwood and Portage, Thursday Mushers Meet and Greet/Banquet, Friday tour Anchorage and check out some Meet & Greets or hang out at the Lakefront and people watch, Saturday attend the Ceremonial start, Sunday attend the restart (at some point in those two days make a trip to the official Iditarod HQ in Wasilla to get a pic with the Iditarod signs as well as Joe Redington's statue!), Monday fly home.

For the Finish:
Fly in Sunday settle in and take in Nome, Monday if possible take a tour to see musk ox or the tour of Nome (both spendy, but it's on my personal bucket list), Tuesday is a possible Iditarod Champion Finish day, Wednesday is a for sure finish day, fly out Thursday evening or Friday Morning... if you can swing a full week then stay through the Finisher's Banquet on Sunday and fly out Sunday evening.


One more (important) note

Now, not to throw a wrench into things but... well... Mother Nature has had the control of late and we've seen Fairbanks come into play for the restart. This has happened now three times in the last 15 years, most recently in 2015 and 2017. Should that happen forget everything I said about ReStart Day and pay attention. SHOULD the race's restart and trail be moved further north the FAIRBANKS RESTART will take place Monday following the Ceremonial Start. The Anchorage Start stays the same, but they need Sunday for travel time to get the teams up to Fairbanks. This is a 10-12 hour drive in the best weather, and if there's snow and ice and wind as there often times is, the drive can be longer. But, don't dispair, there are other travel options on how to get to the ReStart. Flights from Anchorage to Fairbanks are regular and have several airline options. The flight is about an hour and half long. There is also the option of the train, they have rides running but you're at the mercy of their schedule, and it is based on track and weather conditions. Air travel is your safest bet.

The Fairbanks ReStart would take place at 10am on Monday morning, so you would want to fly up the day before and snatch a room. The restart takes place right outside Pike's Landing (which is a fantastic hotel, btw) on the river. I'll talk more about the logistics and planning of a Fairbanks restart in a later blog, but just make sure that when planning your bucket list trip for the start that you are aware of the possibility of things changing. These changes are typically announced TWO WEEKS before the start of the event - so there's not a lot of time to change plans, but if you have a contingency plan and budget in place it's doable.



Hopefully this gives you a basic blueprint to plan your trip for Iditarod - as the weeks go on I hope to have more information on all aspects of trip planning, but this gives you an idea of the timeline you're looking at. Do you have any questions on this or other topics in planning your trip? Comment below or shoot me a note on social media ( @tonichelleak on twitter ) and I'll give you the best info I can. Are you planning a trip? Let me know in the comments when you're hoping to make it, I'd love to know how your planning is going!



*Note: I am not an official travel planner or guide. All advice is from my own experience/knowledge.*