Rookie Bryce Mumford scratches in Grayling

Iditarod released a statement Tuesday morning that second year Iditarod Rookie Bryce Mumford has scratched "in the best interest of his team." The musher was in Grayling when he chose to scratch. Some speculate due to someone in the Insider chat with supposed ties to the kennel that the musher didn't so much choose to scratch as the race judges told him to scratch or be withdrawn. 

Judges do not make those decisions lightly, they do everything they can not to have to, and there are a number of factors that bring them to said decision. Mumford has been running with eight dogs for several days now, and with only being at the halfway point that was most likely a concern by the judges. Teams must finish with no fewer than five dogs in Harness in Nome, and with still 500 miles to go, if some dogs were showing tiredness or soreness in Grayling, judges may have felt it was too much to ask. (This is just one possible explanation, this in no way is what is known to be the reason IF the musher was asked to scratch at all.)

Mumford was not the last musher on the trail, there were two other mushers behind him. Sydnie Bahl is currently in Grayling and Quince Mountain is on his way to the checkpoint. It's another thing race judges are looking at - if the "stragglers" get too far behind, they are encouraged to speed it up (suggesting dogs don't need 8 hours at every rest stop, for example). 

Mumford had eight dogs in harness all in good health, according to the statement.

Gabe Dunham scratches in Eagle Island

Insiders got a head start on the news Sunday morning while watching the live feed from Eagle Island. Insider reporter Sean Underwood showed a dog team "waiting for a flight off the trail" and it was quickly revealed that Gabe Dunham had scratched. The official press release came a couple hours later. 

Gabe Dunham up to this point has run a great race, she stayed right with the leading half of the mushers and had put up some strong run times. There was no indication from the GPS tracker that anything was amiss, and no reports as to what may have happened to cause the scratch - we'll find out when Gabe is ready to tell us.

According to the release Gabe had 14 dogs in harness at the time of her scratch. With the current weather in Eagle Island (snow is coming down hard and there is low visibility) it may be a while before Gabe and her team can be flown off the trail.

Iditarod Rookie Mike Parker scratches in Ruby

Iditarod just released a statment informing fans that rookie Mike Parker scratched in Ruby today "in the best interest of his team."

Parker had fans worried for much of the last couple of days when it was realized the team seemed to be having a hard time moving forward. Watching the gps it was obvious there was something going wrong as the team would move slowly for a short time before resting for several hours at a time. The team finally made it into the checkpoint of Ruby Friday and many speculated that Parker's run may be coming to an end.

Parker was running a team out of Jim Lanier's Northern Whites kennel. He carried with him the ashes of three dogs killed last season on a training run when a Polaris employee struck his team on the Denali highway. Parker was hoping to spread their ashes on the trail "where they belonged" and never got to be while alive. The driver took a plea deal earlier this month that was dropped down to a citation. 

The press release by the Iditarod stated that Parker had 11 dogs in harness at the time of his scratch.

Jeff Deeter scratches in Galena

In a statement on facebook posted Friday Night, Jeff Deeter announced the difficult decision to scratch in this year's Iditarod. The veteran musher and team have had a rough go since the start of the race with minor injuries sidelining some of Deeter's key players. 

Deeter had nearly scratched earlier in the race in Tanana as things started to go sideways but was encouraged by mushers Matthew Failor and Dallas Seavey to take time, take his 24, and come to a decision later. Jeff chose to continue on, but by then the team picked up a bit of a tummy bug.

As things snowballed it was clear the team was struggling and not having the race Jeff Deeter had hoped for. "By pulling out of the race now," Deeter wrote, "I can ensure that we have all had a positive experience to this point, and have a group of dogs that will be strong for many seasons to come."

No official statement has been released by the Iditarod yet, but it's clear Jeff's race is over for 2025.

Edited: an official release has now been posted by The Iditarod.

Rookie Dan Klein scratches in Galena

Iditarod released a statement Friday evening stating that Dan Klein has scratched earlier in the day pursuant to rule 42. No further information was given at the time of the release.

Rule 42 is the expired dog section of the race rules. The rule reads as follows:

"Rule 42 -- Expired Dog: The Iditarod holds firmly that no dog should suffer harm or death in connection to the race. However, it is understood that, in rare circumstances, dog harm or death can occur through no fault of the musher. Our policy is therefore, that: 

any dog death that occurs during the conduct of the race will result in immediate (a) voluntary          scratch by the musher with right of assistance under Rule 10 or (b) withdrawal with right of assistance under Rule 51 (such withdrawal does not imply any deliberate misconduct or violation as set forth in Rule 51), unless the death was caused, as determined by the Race Marshal, to be due to   the inherent risks of wilderness travel (example, moose encounter), nature of trail, or force beyond the control of the musher (these causes are all referred to as an “Unpreventable Hazard”). 

Any dog that expires on the trail must be covered and taken by the musher to a checkpoint. The musher may transport the dog to either the checkpoint just passed, or the upcoming checkpoint. An expired dog report must be completed by the musher and presented to a race official along with the dog.  At this time the musher shall scratch or be withdrawn from the race, except in the case of an Unpreventable Hazard. 

This rule remains under consideration. 

All dog deaths will be treated as a priority, with every effort being made to determine the cause of death in a thorough and reliable manner. 

The Chief Veterinarian will cause a necropsy to be carried out by a board certified veterinary pathologist at the earliest opportunity and shall make every attempt to determine the cause of death. 

If a board certified veterinary pathologist is not available to perform the necropsy within the time frame to preserve the tissues appropriately, (as determined by the Race Marshal), the gross necropsy and tissue collection will be performed by a trail veterinarian following the guidelines in the Musher and Veterinary Handbook. These tissues will then be examined by a board certified pathologist. A musher will remain at the initial reporting checkpoint for up to, but no longer than, twelve hours to commence the investigation. If the Race Marshal determines that the dog death is due to an Unpreventable Hazard, the musher will be allowed to continue the race immediately upon this determination being made. This waiting period is not to be used as a punishment of the musher. If a determination of an Unpreventable Hazard is made, a musher can then continue the race, but he/she must remain available for future communication to assist in the investigation. The musher and or his/her representative have the option to be present during the trail evaluation and necropsy. 

All dog deaths will be reviewed within 30 days of the race’s conclusion by a Dog Care Panel, consisting of three independent investigators, with consultation from the Race Marshal, Chief Veterinarian and any other professional experts deemed necessary by that panel. The musher involved will also be consulted and allowed to present input to the Dog Care Panel. The Dog Care Panel shall issue a report to the ITC Board discussing its conclusions on the cause of the dog death in order to gain insights that may help shape future race rules or protocols to achieve zero dog deaths. The Dog Care Panel shall also make a determination in its report on whether disqualification is warranted under the standards set forth below. 

The ITC Board of Directors will establish the Dog Care Panel prior to the race  start. 

Dog deaths resulting in disqualification, as determined by the Dog Care Panel, are: 

Due to musher neglect, cruel, inhumane and/or abusive    treatment. 

Cause of death is heat stress, hyperthermia or hypothermia. 

A musher will be disqualified if he/she had been advised in writing by a race veterinarian or judge to drop the dog at a previous checkpoint, but opted not to do so, unless the cause of death is clearly unrelated to this written recommendation. 

It is the policy of the ITC to report a dog death to the public in a timely fashion. The ITC will accomplish this by:

The Race Marshal shall immediately issue a press release to members of the media identifying the dog’s death 

Immediately following the gross necropsy, the Race Marshal will notify the musher of the results and will issue a press release containing the findings and the circumstances of the death."

ETA: Klein was running dogs from Ryan Redington's kennel. 

Edited:
Iditarod has released a statement on the death of dog Ventana from Daniel Klein's team:
"IDITAROD LIII MEDIA ADVISORY  

Date:   March 7, 2025
From: Warren Palfrey, Race Marshal, Iditarod Trail Committee  

Anchorage, Alaska – At approximately 12:00 p.m. today, Ventana, a four-year-old female from the race team of Daniel Klein (bib #19), collapsed on the trail approximately 8 miles outside of the Galena checkpoint.  

Attempts to revive Ventana were unsuccessful. Ventana has been flown to Anchorage where a necropsy will be conducted by a board-certified pathologist to make every attempt to determine the cause of death."

Iditarod issues statement on Brenda Mackey's scratch

Brenda Mackey posted on Facebook early Friday with an update on her scratch from Iditarod 53. The musher stated that she did not scratch with 14 healthy dogs as Iditarod's press release stated, and said that Jett was showing signs of a health crisis when she returned to the checkpoint of Tanana. 

Brenda stated that she had the dog checked in Tanana ahead of her departure but vets could find no indication that the dog could not safely continue in the race. Brenda said she should have gone with her gut and sent the dog home, but she chose to take Jett with her as they headed to Galena. About thirty miles in Jett was clearly not doing well, and Brenda stopped the team. The dog collapsed and Brenda tried to call for help but her phone had no service in the area and she does not carry an inreach (sattelite phone). 

Mackey thought she had pressed the SOS button several times, but after no help came she started thinking about having to run back to Tanana. Musher Emily Ford came up on the team and helped assess the dog, taking Jett's temerature. Brenda then chose to turn back around and head back the way she came.

In reaching the checkpoint Brenda found out that the ITC had not received the distress call. It is unclear as to why the race handed Brenda the scratch form - she did hit the SOS button but as she did not recieve outside assistance it remains unclear if it was a miscommunication or misunderstanding in the checkpoint that believed the musher was scratching. Nonetheless, Brenda signed the paper and ended her race.

The Iditarod released their original press release stating that Brenda had 14 *healthy* dogs on the line when she *chose* to scratch. Brenda wanted to make it clear Friday that one dog was not healthy, and that she didn't really CHOOSE to scratch. Words matter.

The Iditarod released a new statement Friday afternoon retracting their earlier statement giving more information and an apology for their original release.

"ITC Statement Regarding the Team of Iditarod Rookie, Brenda Mackey

Anchorage, Alaska – Rookie Iditarod musher, Brenda Mackey (bib #9), of Fairbanks, Alaska, scratched on March 5 at 4:35 p.m. at the Tanana checkpoint in the best interest of her team.   The original press release stated that Mackey had 14 dogs in harness when she arrived in Tanana, all in good health. 

As more information has come from the checkpoint since that time, it is now understood that Mackey had 13 dogs in harness and one dog, Jett, resting in her sled due to health concerns that emerged approximately three hours after departing Tanana.  Upon recognizing the issue, Mackey did make an attempt to activate her SOS button on her tracker, but unfortunately did not activate it correctly.  Mackey made the decision to return to the checkpoint where Jett was promptly examined by Trail Veterinarians and flown to Anchorage. We are happy to report that Jett is seemingly in good condition and appears to be healthy and in high spirits.   

The ITC apologizes for the miscommunication and any angst we may have caused Brenda, her team and her followers."

Mushers are given instruction in the musher meeting on which buttons on the tracker are the SOS button, it's given as a warning (so as not to accidently hit it) but also as a way to let mushers know it is there and able to use. There's another button that does not go directly to the race but to the company call center according to Brenda's facebook statement. 

Whether or not it was a mistake on Brenda's part or a glitch in the system, no one can argue Brenda made anything but the right call. 

Rookie Charmayne Morrison second to scratch

In an announcement that is never easy to read, but not very surprising to those watching the trackers - Iditarod Rookie Charmayne Morrison has scratched from Iditarod 53.

Not much was given in the press release Thursday, just to say that the musher chose to scratch at 10am with 14 dogs in harness all in good health. 

The race also stated they hoped she would return to the Iditarod in the future.

The rookie musher out of Montana has dreamt of running the Iditarod since childhood, and has worked hard to build her kennel to train and race to qualify. Morrison is well known and liked in many of the lower 48 races and the early scrach is surprising to many.

It is speculated the unseasonably warm temperatures, silt storms, and unexpectedly difficult trail played huge factors. Top teams like Jeff Deeter and Matthew Failor have also seemed to struggle in the first leg of the 53rd running. 

With Morrison's scratch the new Red Lantern is second year Iditarod rookie Quince Mountain who is running about fourteen miles behind the back of the pack.

Brenda Mackey scratches in Tanana

According to a press release put out by officials, Iditarod 53 has its first scratch of the race. Second year rookie Brenda Mackey made the difficult decision to end her race prematurely once again, this time in Tanana. 

Mackey seemed to be doing well until Wednesday afternoon when fans realized that Brenda's tracker was traveling backwards. The musher was several miles away from Tanana when she began to backtrack. There was no word as to why the musher was seemingly returning to the checkpoint she'd left hours before.

On return to the checkpoint Mackey asked for a vet check on a dog she said was showing behaviors she had not previously seen in the dog. Insider reported at the time that they were unsure if the musher had gotten assistance by use of her SOS button - and if she had, her race would be over.

The press release Wednesday evening makes no mention of hitting the button. 

Brenda Mackey scratched in the best interest of her team, she had 14 dogs on the line when she chose to scratch.

Rookie Erin Altemus scratches in Ruby

 After 18 hours of rest in the check point, leaving only to turn around and come back, Erin Altemus' Iditarod has ended early. In a post to Facebook Sunday morning, her husband posted the news.

"Well my friends, this crazy iditarod experiment came to a screeching halt this morning and Erin had trouble leaving the checkpoint of Ruby. At that point she was in last and couldn't afford to rest her dogs anymore and get too far behind the leaders, in which she would have gotten withdrawn anyway," he wrote. "They had been dealing with some intestinal and mental issues and a tougher than normal trail. She had personally been dealing with a cold throughout the trip. The dogs and Erin are doing well and we'll get her back to Anchorage and give her lots of backrubs and love. I know she didn't give up easy and this was super tough for her. I'd like to say she'll try again but I don't really know yet. It's a huge sacrifice to get up here to the start line so we'll have to re-group and see what happens. Like they say it's just a dog race, we'll be ok, thanks for the love and support!"

Choosing to scratch is never an easy decision, but is always the right one. Even some of the greatest ever to run this race have had to make the decision. Altemus had ten dogs in harness when she chose to scratch. Musher and dogs will travel back to Anchorage via Iditarod Airforce. Erin is the first scratch of Iditarod 52.

Brent Sass scratches from Iditarod in Eagle Island

Fans learned this morning in a hasty live feed on The Iditarod Facebook Page from Greg Heister that reigning champ Brent Sass had scratched from the race due to "some type of infection where he felt he could not care for his team the way he needed." Heister went on to report that the race was trying to get a plane to Eagle Island to pick up the veteran musher and fly him to Unalakleet for treatment. 

At around 8:40am The Iditarod released an official statement on the scratch:

"Veteran musher and 2022 Iditarod Champion, Brent Sass (bib #14), of Eureka, Alaska,  scratched at 7:42 a.m. today at the Eagle Island checkpoint as he didn’t feel he could care for his team due to current concerns with his periodontal health.

Sass had 11 dogs in harness when he arrived in Eagle Island, all in good health."

Thankfully dogs don't really care if they finish a race, and they no doubt are being treated like the good dogs they are. We wish Brent a speedy recovery.

Rookie Jennifer LaBar scratches in Rainy Pass

Jennifer LaBar during the Ceremonial Start
of Iditarod 51. March 4, 2023.
Anchorage, Alaska

The Iditarod has its first scratch of the race in rookie musher Jennifer LaBar. LaBar was running a good race until she encountered trouble on the Happy River Steps where she sustained an injury to her ring finger on her left hand during a sled crash. While in good spirits retelling the story to the Insider earlier in the day, after talking with medical staff, LaBar made the very difficult decision to cut her race short. All dogs were doing well when she made her decision. See the full statement from the Iditarod below:

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 6, 2023

 Rookie Iditarod musher, Jennifer LaBar, scratches at Rainy Pass Checkpoint

Anchorage, Alaska – Rookie Iditarod musher, Jennifer LaBar (bib #13), of Healy, Alaska,  scratched at 8:30 p.m. today at the Rainy Pass checkpoint.

After speaking with medical professionals, Jennifer made the very difficult decision to scratch due to a hand injury sustained earlier in the day.

LaBar had 13 dogs in harness when she arrived in Rainy Pass, all in good health.

Lisbet Norris scratches in Unalakleet

As many guessed, Norris' Iditarod ended prematurely in Unalakleet. The all Siberian team struggled to maintain a speed that kept them in with the back of the pack, and most fans knew it was just a matter of time before she would be asked to withdraw. While her stats show scratch and not withdrawal, it was circulated earlier in the week that the musher had been put on notice to get caught up or face a withdrawl. While not information from official sources, it came as no surprise and most speculated she would end her race where she did.

Her team of 10 dogs at the time of the scratch will fly back to Anchorage in the next day or so. The musher was met with 4 gifted Pizzas in the checkpoint. Better luck next time, Lisbet.

Ryne Olson second musher to scratch

Ryne Olson chose to scratch just after 5pm Alaska Time today in the best interest of her team. The Ryno Kennel team was seemingly having some trouble when fans noticed that the musher was down to 9 dogs, having flown 5 back to Anchorage, and not even halfway through the race. While teams are only required to finish with five dogs in harness, you don't typically see teams return so many dogs this early in the race.

Ryne's social media team posted on her page after the press release stating in part: "We’ll leave the details up to Ryne for later on. But over all, for the health of the dogs and the musher herself, it’s the best decision for the team. Making these tough decisions and top notch dog care is what mushing and racing is all about. And if we’re not having fun, it’s time to rest up and try again another time."

Ryne has run the Iditarod three times (this being the fourth), with her best placement coming last year when she finished in 18th place. This is Ryne's first scratch in Iditarod.

Anja Radano scratches in Nikolai

Overnight the Iditarod reported that Anja Radano of Swamp Dawg Kennel chose to scratch in the checkpoint of Nikolai. The press release stated that she made the decision in the best interest of her dogs. Fans had been concerned much of Wednesday when they watched her tracker leave Nikolai only to return, with some faithful tracker followers noting that her tracker posted speeds closer to snowmachine than dog team on the return back.

This morning the folks running her kennel page while she is away confirmed she has scratched but said they would not comment further on the scratch or make  more posts on her behalf - that they would let her choose when to tell her trail stories when she returns in the next day or two.

Trail continues to be impacted by heavy, wet snowfall near McGrath as teams are in the midst of taking their 24s.

Radano had 12 dogs on the line when she scratched and is the first team to end their race early in this year's Iditarod.

Warren Palfrey scrathes.

And then there were twelve. Palfrey is the latest to scratch on the Iditarod trail. It's yet another team that has ended its quest because the "dogs were no longer able to continue to be competitive."

What does that mean? It's not like they were up there with the leaders anyway. So what does it mean to be competitive? Was it the musher who was discouraged because, once again, he paid a boatload of money to run this 10 day race and he wasn't getting anywhere in the standings? Seems a little silly and very anti-mushing.

So is it because teh dogs didn't want to pull/run anymore or because they're ill? In that case he should be commended. At least he didn't go the Ramy Brooks route and try to beat running into the dogs.

Still, it just seems odd - the reasons being given for the scrathes this year.

There are bets beginning on when DeeDee will be forced to scratch, she's still got a third leg to go and she's down to eight dogs. What gives?