Iditarod Picnic and sign ups set for Saturday

Jessie Holmes and Dan Kaduce chat at the 2022
Iditarod Picnic & Sign Ups. Iditarod HQ.
June 25, 2022

Happy Summer Solstice, IditaFans! We're nearing the end of June and with that comes the final Saturday of the month being the kick off for the next Iditarod. No, teams are not running any time soon to Nome, but they are dreaming big as the official opening of registration for next year's race opens Saturday morning at 9:30am Alaska time.

The Picnic is a thank you to the countless hours put in to make the race successful each year by the numerous volunteers throughout the State of Alaska. Located in Wasilla at the Iditarod Headquarters, it is an informal but festive get together for mushers, volunteers, and fans to chat with one another in the relaxed Alaskan setting.

Though the picnic is about the volunteers and feeds over one hundred people each summer, there's some very serious stuff going on as this is also when mushers show up to through their hat in the ring for the next Iditarod. Mushers that sign up in person and stay through the whole picnic are eligible to win their entry fee back as well as possible other door prizes (typically dog food and other items for mushing purposes). 

The Iditarod Headquarters is a popular tourist destination throughout the summer, with tour buses coming in regularly to stop and drop off vacationers wanting to learn about the last great race. This does not take a holiday on picnic day, so adding them into the mix makes for a very busy and bustling day for those working the gift shop inside HQ. 

Most years there are also dog cart rides run by an Iditarod kennel. These happen the entirety of summer and, like everything else, do not stop just because the picnic is happening. For years the Redingtons (most recently Raymie and Barb) conducted the tours, but after "retiring" from the gig in 2021, it's now Riley Dyche's party this summer. Not only do visitors get to take a ride, they also get to meet the dogs and often get to snuggle puppies. What's not to love, right?

Attendees can also expect to see a few "old timers" from the early days of Iditarod. Often you'll see Dick Mackey and Dan Seavey attend to swap essentially the same stories about those first few years of Iditarod. Both have seen their mushing legacy continue in their children and grandchildren and both can boast of their accomplishments (Dan is father to Iditarod Champ Mitch Seavey and grandfather to Iditarod Champion record holder Dallas Seavey, Dick Mackey is father to Iditarod Champions Rick Mackey and the legendary Lance Mackey). There are always several Redingtons on hand and we often see fan favorite DeeDee Jonrowe stop by to check in.

The great thing about the picnic is everyone is laid back and you can easily snag a relaxed photo with your favorite musher and get autographs. There are door prizes for volunteers attending, some old Iditarod memorabilia and some are door prizes donated by the kennels. No matter the weather people are in a good mood and everyone is eager to see who puts their name on the list.

If you're local, stop by. Even if you aren't a volunteer it's a nice way to learn a little bit about the race and maybe catch the volunteer bug. If you're visiting Alaska and are traveling through Wasilla be sure to make a stop at the Iditarod Headquarters. Even if you miss out on the picnic, there's still a good chance you'll run into a musher or two any day of the week (anyone bitten by the Iditarod bug can't seem to stay away). If nothing else you can get you some IditaSwag and maybe snuggle a puppy (but man they will frisk you before you leave if they think you tried sneaking a puppy in your pocket).

The one thing EVERYONE will be wondering throughout Saturday is who and how many will sign up for Iditarod 52. While registration is open through November, the biggest surge is always opening day. Who do you hope will sign up, or who do you expect to sign up? How many teams do you think will sign up opening day? Comment below with your thoughts or if you're planning to attend the picnic! (and if you see me I'm shy but please don't hesitate to come up and say hi. I just don't initiate conversation, but I don't mind holding conversation!)

As always, 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).

Iditarod Picnic and Musher Sign Ups

Saturday marked the unofficial start of the race season as volunteers and mushers gathered in Wasilla for the annual Iditarod picnic at the Race Headquarters. Unlike previous years, the picnic was sparsely attended by fans and mushers alike. Normally one could guarantee bumping into the biggest names of North American mushing past and present. Names like Dick Mackey, Raymie Redington, and Dan Seavey were a shoo in for the "old timers" who came to swap stories with each other (almost always the same trail stories they've shared for nearly fifty years), while names like Jeff King, Martin Buser, and Mitch Seavey kept people guessing if the "old dogs" had another win in them.

Instead, only one previous champion signed up Saturday - and did so via the web from a beach somewhere warm. Only 21 teams in total would be on the roster by the end of the day. While those in attendance joked that the low attendance of mushers would give those signing up a greater chance to win their entry fee back, there was a definite air of uncertainty about the event.

Also noticeably absent was Iditarod CEO Rob Urbach. Since joining the Iditarod in 2018, Urbach has attended every public event. The enthusiastic leader often hyped up the next season promising new ways to jump into the 21st century. Yet this year it was once again Chaz St. George as the face of the Iditarod at the event, and he quickly just thanked attendees before breezing through the musher drawings without going through the traditional announcement of number of sign ups and reading down the list.

Discussion of the day was obviously the lack of those signing up. Karin Hendrickson attended the picnic but did not sign up with a sigh suggesting there were too many unknowns for her to be sure she'd race this season. Hendrickson also pointed to financial insecurity being a big reason for a lot of teams. She was overheard saying that she knew of "at least" five kennels "getting out of dogs" because they could not afford to continue to keep up a kennel.

2018 Iditarod Champion Joar Leifseth Ulsom did not attend the picnic, but as the event rolled on those checking Facebook read the announcement the Norwegian made stating he was stepping back from long distance racing to focus on his "beautiful little family" and figuring out the "elusive Kuskokwim 300 win." Both five-time Iditarod Champion Dallas Seavey and Iditafan favorite Aaron Burmeister announced at the end of this year's race they, too, are taking time off for family both having children getting to the age of having their own interests outside of dad running Iditarod.

Iditarod 50 was a huge accomplishment for the race, and while fans felt that the race did not do enough to celebrate the milestone, it feels like this is a new wave for the race as a whole. It may be fitting that so many of the mushers that made the last fifty years memorable are absent at the beginning of the next fifty. It's clear that the race has changed a great deal from when Joe Redington and his merry band of mushing enthusiasts came up with the hairbrained idea that dogs could travel a thousand miles over an overgrown yet historic trail system. Today it's a streamlined machine of a race that travels in almost a blink of an eye.

Even with the quieter picnic, there were still many smiles and reasons to laugh and celebrate. With so few mushers needing their Iditarod picture for their website bios, Official Photographer (who is "retired" but still on hand to help) Jeff Schultz was mobbed several times by race fans asking for autographs to sign his work. Kristy Berington and Andy Pohl rode through the picnic on their tandem bike before returning a little while later with Anna to sign the Seeing Double racing kennel teams up for another go (Andy, of course, was there to take the photos). 

Jason Mackey was so excited to be able to sign up again that he showed up well before sign ups opened at 9:30am. The team that [wo]man the table said he was there before they showed up to set things up. Mackey, of course, is hoping to keep the family tradition of winning the Iditarod alive. Mackey's father Dick won the Iditarod, and then Jason's brothers Rick and Lance are also Iditarod champions. If Mackey draws bib number 13 at the musher's banquet this year you might as well just give him the win (Dick, Rick, and Lance all won their [in Lance's case first] Iditarods with the number).

Matthew Failor and Dan Kaduce both signed up - in part because they won a free entry fee for being the "Most Inspirational" (Matt) and winner of the "Humanitarian Award" (Dan). Liz Failor was on hand to snap photos of husband Matthew as well as give tips to KattiJo Deeter on how to fill out her application. That's right, last year's rookie who got stuck in a terrible storm and ended up scratching, KattiJo (who explained that it's "Katie Jo" but that her mother "was a terrible speller") Deeter is returning for another go at the belt buckle. Deeter proclaimed she would be very jealous if she hit that portion of trail and it was calm as "the first time rookies won't have to go through [what she did]!" Deeter was also having a hard time coming up with an answer for her occupation and her hobbies. There were plenty of peanut gallery members to help her out, however. Husband Jeff was on hand to swipe the credit card. 

At this time, only one team from Black Spruce Kennel will run this coming Iditarod. Jeff noted that the logistics "back home" are just too much with the both of them out on the trail and that when he races KattiJo "takes care of so much". He didn't say 100% absolutely not that he wouldn't run, but did stick to "at this time" there were no plans to run two teams like they did in 2022.

Overall, while the roster is Yukon Quest roster sized, fans should expect it to grow some before the end of the year (when the deadline to sign up is). There should be a lot of excitement as many of the teams that are often knocking on the door to get into the top ten will have a great chance of improving (in some cases drastically). Will Brent Sass be able to hold off the teams ready to make sure he doesn't repeat? Who has the best chance of taking home the prize? Those questions are being asked far too soon. The better question is - who do you think has plans to sign up but wants to keep us guessing for now?

To see all of my photos from the day you can view my facebook album.

Make sure to subscribe to Mushing Radio's podcasts as we'll be talking this week all about the Iditarod picnic and what it all means for the future of The Last Great Race.

"There WILL be a Nome this year."

The mushing season unofficially opened yesterday as fans, volunteers, and mushers came together in Wasilla for the first day of registration for the 50th running of the Iditarod. After having canceled the event last year due to Covid-19 lockdowns, the Iditarod picnic was a welcome sight coming out of a very long unsocialized year. People greeted each other with excited smiles, hellos, and hugs. As always, it was a true reminder that the mushing community is more like family than like frenemies. 

Several generations of mushers were represented at the afternoon affair, trailbreakers like Dan Seavey and Dick Mackey sat at a table to relive those first races. A new batch of rookies nervously signed up and chatted amongst themselves with that energy that only first timers have. The seasoned veterans - including several past champions - sat back and relaxed while chatting with fans and signing autographs. For mushers who ran their rookie race in 2021, there had been no pomp and ceremony for their sign ups, so mushers like Will Troshynski noted they still felt like rookies as they signed up the traditional way at this year's picnic.

While in most years the picnic sees several hundred attendees, this year's event felt far more intimate. Due to travel restrictions mushers and fans alike were unable to make their way to Alaska. With no cruise ships coming into Alaska, the giant tour groups that typically show up to take in a little Iditarod are much smaller. There was no Teachers Conference - put on every year by the Iditarod Education Program - and they always end their conference with the picnic. Those that did come out enjoyed a warm summer day - while the rest of south central got rain, the spot in Wasilla that is the Iditarod HQ saw sun - and good food and fun.

Veterans of the inaugural Iditarod, Dan Seavey (left) and Dick Mackey
swap stories at the Iditarod Picnic. Wasilla, Alaska. June 26, 2021.

Mushers milled about throughout the afternoon - the Iditarod holds drawings for prizes and two lucky mushers are drawn to have their entry fee waived, but mushers must be present to win - chatting with eager fans as well as amongst themselves already sizing up the competition. Many were overheard asking about what races each kennel planned on participating in, and every so often a musher wandered over to the registration table to see how many were signed up (most to see what their odds were of winning their entry fee back). 

As the event came to an end, Iditarod CEO Rob Urbach took to the mic (that they still haven't replaced, and its wires are so loose it cuts out more and more every year) to announce the door prizes. Rob thanked the dedication of the staff and volunteers especially over the last year with a race finishing at the start of covid, and one run during covid. He praised race officials for keeping the race going during shut downs and in spite of shut downs. He thanked the mushers for their continued enthusiasm and support. He noted the change of trail in the 2021 race and noted how much Nome was missed... and then announced "There WILL be a Nome next year!" to which the crowd erupted into cheers.

Urbach went on to say that fans and mushers needed to "stay tuned" as in the coming weeks more announcements would be made as the Iditarod is working on several projects and initiatives in conjunction with celebrating 50 years of Iditarod. There was no hint as to what they were, but Urbach promised they were very exciting. The Iditarod CEO also noted that they would be unveiling a new Logo - which many were unsure if that meant the 2022 logo or a new race logo. Time will tell.

Iditarod CEO Rob Urbach addresses the crowd of mushers
and fans during the Iditarod Picnic. Wasilla, Alaska. June 26, 2021.

Once the announcements were made, the moment all the mushers had waited for were upon them. Mark Nordman, Iditarod Race Marshall, took the mike to announce. Matt Failor - with sled dog "Black Sabbath" (known as "Sabby") in tow - won the door prize of a dog food dipper and dog dishes. Anja Radano won the case of 1,000 dog booties. Nordman then handed the names over to Rob Urbach saying he didn't want to pick the entry fee winners as he didn't want to be accused of rigging it (said tongue in cheek). Riley Dyche and Deke Naaktegboren were announced as the winners of the entry fee door prizes, and with that the picnic was over. Everyone continued to mingle before wandering back over to the parking lots. 

By the end of the day, 49 mushers signed up for Iditarod 50. Registration will continue through December. Mushers are not announced/accepted until their paperwork is complete and their entry fee (a whopping $4000) is accepted and processed. Mushers can apply online, through the mail, and in person at Headquarters (I think fax might still be an option, too). Of those signed up, six former Iditarod Champions are in the mix. Nine rookies are already on the roster as well. Along with the champs and rookies are a list of who's who in mushing. Once again, the race is looking at one of its most competitive fields. With the race hitting the historic milestone of 50 years, it is expected that the roster will only deepen with many old timers contemplating openly how they'd like to participate. To view a full list of mushers, visit the Iditarod's musher list. 

Mushers have until December to register for the Iditarod (after November 30, the entry fee jumps to $8000). More announcements on plans for the 50th Iditarod will be announced beginning July 1. We're just under three months until the fall training season should begin. 

Who are you excited to see sign up? Who are you surprised isn't on the list, or hope to see on the list? Comment below!

Iditarod Sign-Ups open this Saturday

The last weekend in June marks the beginning of the mushing pre-season in Alaska with the opening of Musher Sign-Ups for the next Iditarod. The annual Iditarod Picnic is back after having to take last year off due to Covid-19 concerns. The excitement is back as mushers, volunteers, and fans all plan to attend the festivities at the Iditarod Headquarters in Wasilla on June 26. 

Sign-Ups in person open at 10am Saturday, with the picnic kicking off with grilled burgers and salmon for anyone in attendance at 11am. Door prizes for the mushers will be drawn at 1:30pm (one of the prizes is winning their entry fee back), and mushers must be present in order to win. This gives fans and volunteers an opportunity to chat with mushers in a relaxed, celebratory manner. Friends reunite, stories are told, it's everything you expect from a picnic/bbq.

As with last year, mushers can choose to register online. While they won't be entered in the drawings for the door prizes, they can win an advantageous spot for the bib draw (those that sign up opening day get to draw first for bibs in March). Mushers must pay the $4000 entry fee upon registration for their application to be accepted. 

The Iditarod will hit a milestone in 2022 with its 50th running. The first race was run in 1972, and has run consecutively every year since. What was once considered a fool's folly has become the premiere long distance sled dog race in the world. It's boasted that more people have climbed Mount Everest than have completed the Iditarod. It is a legend all its own, and inspires many the world over into the sport. What was once a dream in keeping the sled dog alive and well and the spirit of the Alaskan adventurer has grown to be a lifestyle for men and women alike.

With the 50th running, it's natural for many to want to take part. Many mushers have already announced they plan to sign up - and it wouldn't be surprising to see the biggest turn out for opening day. Some mushers are unable to make it in person on Saturday and have already let slip that they submitted via the online form. Mushers like the Swede Mats Pettersson and British-Canadan Rob Cooke took to facebook earlier this week sharing their registrations were sent in. Other mushers have taken to social media to announce their intentions. The 50th running is a BIG DEAL. It wouldn't be a surprise to see some teams we haven't seen run in years join in on this one.

Who do you expect to see sign up? Have any mushers you hope to see on the roster? Comment below with how many teams you think will sign up opening day!

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As I have for more than a decade, I plan to be in attendance on Saturday. After having no picnic last summer and not being able to be a part of the pomp and ceremony of the start this past March, there's no way I want to miss out on the reunion. Make sure to follow me on Twitter for updates as I'm able to share them (I don't always have great service at the HQ). If you're going to be there, look for me! I'm shy but feel free to say hello! 

Iditarod 2021 Sign Ups are open

As we watched the world rapidly shut down in March, the 48th running of the Iditarod plugged along through the wilds of Alaska. Somewhat fittingly, the Iditarod became the literal LAST Great Race On Earth. As professional sports are mostly on hold, with many trying to save their seasons with drastic plans of empty stadiums and other social distancing means, the Iditarod is also facing a different world as they gear up for Iditarod 49.

Most Iditarod fans know June signals the start of the new mushing season. The last Saturday in June is typically held for the Iditarod Volunteer Appreciation Picnic and Musher Sign Ups (as well as ITC Elections and Annual Meetings). However, due to the current Covid-19 Pandemic, the Iditarod made an announcement last week that they made the difficult decision to not hold the summer festivities.  Fans and mushers lamented, but ultimately were understanding (to be fair I think most mushers were grateful - being a mostly busy introverted bunch).

With the decision to cancel the Picnic, the Iditarod felt there was no reason to wait until the end of June to start the process of sign ups. They announced late in the week that teams could begin signing up. Along with the changes for June, they also announced a change in the break down of fees and due dates. Because of the lack of revenue most kennels are seeing due to the Covid-19 shelter-in-place mandates (lack of travel means lack of tourists taking rides and touring kennels), the Iditarod has come up with ways to help lessen the financial strain signing up for the thousand mile race puts on kennels.

For teams signing up now through June 27 (what would have been the opening day of sign ups were it not for Covid-19) teams signing up will only pay a $2000 entry fee (a 50% decrease from last year's fee). June 28 - August 31 the entry fee goes up to $3000, and September 1 - November 30 the fee is the standard $4000. Late entries (December - February 12, 2021, discretion by the Iditarod Qualifying Review Board) must pay a $4000 late fee on top of the $4000 entry fee. All applications will be reviewed by the Qualifying Review Board before final approval.

While we're in a wait and see period - as are most mushers, I assume - as to who will sign up, we do know a little information on what the roster should look like in March. Reigning Iditarod Champion Thomas Waerner, who only arrived back in Norway this week after being stuck in Alaska post race due to the Covid-19 shut downs, has already stated to the media he hopes that he and his team will be back in 2021 - depending on travel restrictions. Three-time champ Mitch Seavey announced at the end of the 2020 race that he planned to sit on the sidelines for 2021 (it's not retirement!) and is combining his A-team with son Dallas' A-team to create a SuperTeam "to see what they can do." Dallas, of course, is a four-time Iditarod champion - among other records. Four-time champ Jeff King had to sit out this year's race due to a medical emergency just days before the start, and it's unclear if The King will head down the trail in 2021, but it would be shocking to not see him try to make the start line. It's everyone's guess that we haven't seen the last of four-time Champion Martin Buser either, but it's not for sure until his name is on that list.

Another up in the air former four-time (consecutive!) champion is Lance Mackey. Mackey finished 21st in this year's race, but was DQed in May after drug test results showed he had Methamphetamine in his system. Mackey's family says he is taking the time to focus on his health, and the entire mushing fandom is behind him. One can only hope Mackey can overcome this latest hurdle, but it remains unseen (and possibly unlikely) if he will make the starting line in 2021.

It is unknown when we will start seeing the roster for 2021 live on the Iditarod Website. As of June 6 the musher profiles still list the 2020 teams. However, some teams have taken to social media to let their fans know they've signed up. As of June 6 the known teams are:

Dan Kaduce of Dew Claw Kennel
Ryne Olson of Ryno Sled Dog Kennel
Riley Diche of Dark Horse Racing Kennel
Paige Drobny of Squid Acres Kennel

Hopefully we'll see more names added to the list soon.

Four drop out of T200, slots open for last minute registration.

Organizers for the T200 posted via facebook yesterday that four teams had withdrawn from the race. Since the checkpoints had already been set up to handle twenty teams, they have openned registration for last minute mushers to take the - now unused - spots. Registration remains as a $200 fee and closes Friday when the mandatory vet check and musher's meeting is set to begin.

Teams that withdrew are Jessie Hendricks, Zoya Denure - citing health issues, but she also posted on facebook that they were having vehicle trouble, and the Clarkes - who hit a moose earlier this week, totalling their dog truck! General registration closed on Monday with a final entry by Colleen Robertia a local Kasilof musher and veteran of the race (as well as the Quest and Iditarod).

Vet Check begins tomorrow at noon at the Aspen Hotel in Soldotna, with a musher's meeting to follow. The race takes off at 9 am on Saturday with the Junior T followed at 11am by the main event. The race begins at Mile 112 of the Sterling Hwy.


**Please note that while I am going to be shooting as the volunteer photographer for the event nothing I post is an official communication with the race. Follow them via their website, facebook and twitter for official updates during the race. I will tweet and post photos as internet and time allows over the weekend. The organizers will try to post my photos of the start as soon as I get them to them.**

T200 Musher Roster up to twenty names. Deadline today.

2012 winning cover art drawn by local student. So cute!

With the 2012 Tustumena 200 set to begin on Saturday (January 28), fans of mushing and the race itself are eagerly awaiting the release of the official roster. Race coordinators have done an amazing job keeping fans updated via their website and their facebook page. The deadline to sign up for this year's race is today, Monday January 23.

On the list of mushers this year are four time Iditarod Champion Jeff King - who just last year was "retired" from racing - and Alaskan favorite DeeDee Jonrowe. Peninsula musher Paul Gebhardt, and 2011 Iditarod runner up Cim Smyth are also competing. Gebhardt just finished the Kuskokwim 300 yesterday in third place and earlier in the season Jeff King won the Sheep Mountain 150. The Junior T boasts a whopping four entrants, including last year's winner Conway Seavey. Seavey's dad, Mitch, is the 2004 Iditarod Chamion and his older brother Dallas won the 2011 Yukon Quest.

Word from the trail says it is in the best condition it's been in years, and the new checkpoints are getting a lot of positive feedback. The one downside is that Clam Gulch, a mainstay for the race, will not be a check point this year. Originally Clam Gulch was a stop, but an announcement was made late last week that there would be changes to the proposed trail. New to the race this year, and going back to the race's roots, is the check point in Homer. Other check points include Oil Well and Freddie's Roadhouse in Caribou Hills - which will serve as the halfway layover. Homer will also have a mandatory layover during both legs of the race.

Vet checks are Friday afternoon, the junior race begins at 9am in Kasilof, the 200 will follow at 11am.

It's a Rookie Invasion?

With the deadline to register just a couple days away, the 2012 Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race looks to be a field of rookies. So far the official roster has thirty mushers, nineteen of which are rookies. With Hans Gatt retired, and Sebastian Schnuelle taking a year off, the two top named veterans are former Quest and Iditarod Champion Lance Mackey and fan favorite (as well as consistently strong competitor) Hugh Neff. Mackey is the only champion to win both the Quest and Iditarod in the same year (his first Iditarod winning year, 2007). Neff was poised to take the Quest title last year but the death of a dog and horrible weather conditions forced the musher to scratch.

Other notable Quest Veterans in this year's race are Allen Moore, Sonny Lindner and David Dalton.

The biggest news, however, to come out of the musher roster is a team of Eastern European kennels have joined together to travel and compete in the race. All rookies, it's bringing a new and exciting element to the second most popular race in Alaska - and the only sled dog race that travels across the border into Canada making it a one of a kind event in North America.

2011 Quest Champion, Dallas Seavey, is not currently on the roster. No word if he will compete in the Quest this season or not. Seavey is part of an Iditarod mushing dynasty (third generation) as well as the youngest to complete the Iditarod and win the Quest.

It's Official, Swenson running Iditarod 40



Rick Swenson @ the Ceremonial Start
Anchorage, Alaska, 2007

As reported last week by Alaska Dispatch and the Anchorage Daily News, Rick Swenson is running in Iditarod 40. According to ADN.com, the reason for the delay for Swenson's addition to the official roster was due to not having turned in all of his paperwork. Funny, you'd think he'd know how to do that, considering he's been in the race every decade it's been run, and is a board member. There are 69 names now on the list (Swenson is #68) and ADN.com reported there were to be seventy names once all paperwork was received. Alaska Dispatch reported 69. Still some confusion, but what's an Iditarod without a little bit of that?!

Rick Swenson is the only five time champion in the race's history, and is one of six past champions running in the historic 40th race. Lance Mackey, Mitch Seavey, Jeff King (newly unretired), Martin Buser, and reigning champion John Baker will join Swenson on the quest for "one more." Swenson's wins came in the late 70s and the 80s, it's been two decades (and then some) since his team ran first under the burled arch.

Many familiar faces sign up for Iditarod 2011

Yesterday marked the opening of Musher sign-ups for Iditarod 39. Sticking with tradition, mushers gathered at the Volunteer picnic to be first in line to get the covetted early numbers to be first up to the pot for their race numbers at the mushers banquet. Iditarod royalty was out in force with the Seavey's and Mackey's all making appearances. What was most surprising, however, was the fact that several mushers who had  hinted at retirement were there on sign up day to throw their hat into the ring one more time.

Race fixtures Martin Buser, Mitch Seavey and DeeDee Jonrowe are once again running, as well as up and coming stars Dallas Seavey (still in it to become the youngest musher to win, taking the title away from Rick Swenson. We've got three more years to see it happen) and Jamaca's Newton Marshall. The Scottish team will also be represented by one of the two mushers who ran this past Iditarod.

They hinted they weren't sure what the future held for their racing teams, but Lance Mackey and Hugh Neff have decided to put off the retirement decision one more year. And, coming back to the race after saying he was done last year, Sebastian Schnuelle has also added his name to the roster.

The Reddingtons are represented this year, as always, and Gebhardt, Jones, Gatt, Smyth and Zirkle have also signed up. No news from John Baker's camp as to if he is running the race this year or not (he has not spoken previously of hanging it up any time soon) and Karen Ramsted is also missing from the early roster. As announced this past winter, Jeff King is retiring from the Iditarod and it looks to be true as he was not there to sign up. There are still months left to go, so more names should be added. So far, forty-six have signed up.

You can see the list as it stands now on Aily Zirkle's kennel blog, click here.