Iditarod 2018: Joar Ulsom First to Nome!

We have a winner in the 2018 Iditarod sled dog race. In the overnight hours, Norwegian Joar Leifseth Ulsom sped into Nome, claiming victory in the race. It is the first win for Ulsom, who first raced in the Iditarod back in 2013 when he was named rookie of the year. He has never finished lower than 7th place, and claimed 4th last year.

The win breaks the stranglehold that the Seavey family has had on the race over the past six years. During that span, Mitch Seavey has won twice, while his son Dallas has gone home with four wins. Currently, Mitch is running in third place out of White Mountain, the second to last checkpoint before reaching Nome. Nicolas Petit is in third, out of Safety and making his way to the finish line.

Ulsom takes home a prize of $50,000, which is a decent sum for a little more than a week's work. But, that's down from the $71,000 that Mitch Seavey took home last year. That is in part because of the pullout of key sponsors like Wells Fargo, which have left the future of the race somewhat in doubt.

While the Norwegian was claiming victory in Alaska, Dallas Seavey is currently leading the Finnmarksløpet, the longest dog sled race in Europe. That event is held in Norway, and covers approximately 1200 km (745 miles). They younger Seavey elected to participate in that race as a protest to a doping scandal from last fall that left some in doubt about how he handles his dogs. It would be fitting however if Ulsom won in Alaska, while Seavey took the victory in Norway, setting up an epic showdown next year.

The Iditarod finished up faster than even I expected. I thought it would take the better part of today before anyone would reach Nome, but Ulsom pushed on through the night and his dogs moved with swiftness over the final miles of the race. We should see several more racers reach the finish line today as well, although others will be straggling in well into the weekend and beyond.

Congratulations to Joar on a fantastic and decisive win.

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Iditarod 2018: Lead Mushers Jockey for the Lead Heading to Nome

The 2018 Iditarod is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and closest finishes in the history of the race. The lead mushers have now passed through the checkpoint in Elim, which puts them just 125 miles from Nome. And as we turn towards the finish line it is looking like a three-man race, with the end-result far from settled.

As of this writing, the lead has changed once again with Norwegian Joar Leifseth Ulsom now in the lead. He's followed closely by Nicolas Petit, who had been out front over the last few days. Stalking just behind the two leaders is defending champ Mitch Seavey, who could still overtake his rivals during the stretch run to Nome.

Ulsom was able to grab the lead when Petit took a wrong turn and veered off the trail. Bad weather has made it a challenge to navigate and Petit went the wrong direction. He was forced to backtrack to get back on the correct route, allowing his Norwegian rival to slip ahead. This development was a sharp reminder that the race isn't over until the musher and his dog sled team reach the finish line. With more than hundred miles to go, this is still a wide open event.

The sleep and rest strategy for the lead teams will play a crucial role down the stretch. At this point in the race, everyone is exhausted so knowing when to push on and when to take break is crucial. There will be some strategic moves made in the final run, but it is beginning to look like we'll have a winner sometime late tomorrow or early on Thursday.

To follow all of the action, visit Iditarod.com.

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Iditarod 2018: Lead Mushers Head to Bering Sea Cost

The 2018 Iditarod hasn't been an easy one thus far. Winter weather has tested the mushers and their teams at practically every turn, with heavy snow and cold temperatures impacting the race. In fact, the snow was so bad at the Eagle Island checkpoint that supply planes couldn't land to deliver food, forcing the race to cancel that checkpoint altogether. But as the frontrunners turn towards Nome, we're now getting an idea of who is in contention coming down the stretch.

At the moment, Nicolas Petit of Girdwood, Alaska holds the lead having checked in and out of the Shaktoolik checkpoint. He has about an hour and a half of a head start on Joar Leifseth Ulsom of Norway and defending champ Mitch Seavey, who are currently in hot pursuit. At this stage of the race, it is beginning to look like one of those three men will most likely arrive in Nome first, although as always with the Iditarod, it ain't over til' its over.

Shaktoolik falls at the 777 mile (1250 km) point, which means there is a little more than 200 miles (321 km) to go until the finish line. Most of the teams have now completed their mandatory 24-hour and 8-hour rest periods, so there shouldn't be a lot of downtime moving forward, although some rest will likely be necessary as they press through to the finish. The strategy of the race will come into play over the next couple of days, with the top musher rising to the top in the homestretch run into Nome.

Meanwhile, four-time Iditarod champ Dallas Seavey, who is sitting out this race in protest over the handling of a doping scandal last fall, is now in Norway competing in the Finnmarkslopet race. The event got underway last Friday, and is now several days into what is the longest dogsled race in Europe at 1200 km (745 miles) in length. So far, Seavey is accounting for himself quite well and is currently running in first place through the first five checkpoints. There is still a long way to go in that event, but it looks like Seavey could potentially win it even as the most experienced rookie Finnmarkslopet has probably ever seen.


We'll keep an eye on both races over the next few days as the mushers head toward the finish line. The Iditarod is shaping up to be one of the best finishes in awhile, so it'll be interesting to see how it all unfolds.

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Iditarod 2018: Mitch Seavey Wins Spirit of Alaska Award as First into McGrath

The 2018 Iditarod is proceeding at a brisk pace. With good trail conditions and plenty of snow, the dogs are able to travel at good speeds, making this a fast and furious race to follow at the moment. But now, strategy is starting to come into play as well, as the mushers plan their mandatory rest stops and start looking ahead to the Yukon.

Race-favorite Mitch Seavey claimed the coveted Spirit of Alaska Award by being the first person to reach the McGrath checkpoint, located at the 311-mile (500 km) mark. That award includes a commissioned, one-of-a-kind piece of artwork that symbolizes the partnership and teamwork of the musher and his or her dogs. It is just one of several awards that are handed out across the course of the event.

Seavey spent little time reveling in his achievement however as he was in and out of McGrath in just a matter of a few minutes. He sped off to Takotna, which is 18 miles (29 km) further down the trail where he has now stopped to take his mandatory 24-hour rest. This has allowed Joar Leifseth Ulsom to slip past him in the rankings, as the Norwegian has chosen to not rest as of yet.

Behind Seavey, a number of other mushers have stopped for their rest period as well, in both Takotna and McGrath. Most are preparing for the long, more demanding sections of the trail that still lie ahead, and want to be well rested and ready to go as they push on towards Nome. We're still several days from that happening, but the musher's are jockeying for position now.

While Seavey currently enjoys a comfortable lead, there are some talented mushers not far behind him. Ray Redington, Jr. is also Takotna, as are Jessie Royer, Linwood Fiedler, and Aily Zirkle. Any one of them could be in contention down the stretch, with a spate of other big names not far back and currently resting in McGrath.

Sadly, there have been a couple of musher's to withdraw from the race already, including fan-favorite DeeDee Jonrowe who pulled out due to health reasons. She called it quits at Rainy Pass, while Zoya DeNure was the first to exit the race in Skwentna.

Currently the clock for the race says we're still in day 2, and typically it takes about 8-9 days to reach Nome, so there is still plenty of racing to be done. It should be fun to watch the event unfold, which you can do at Iditarod.com.

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2018 Iditarod Underway in Alaska Amidst Controversy and Uncertainty

One of my favorite events of the year is now underway in Alaska. The 2018 Iditarod sled dog race began over the weekend, with top mushers setting out on a 1000-mile (1609 km) race across the heart of the state. But while the event is typically a cause for celebration, this year it begins amidst uncertainty and controversy.

As usual, the race began with its ceremonially start on Saturday down the streets of Anchorage and ending at the Campbell Airstrip. From there, the mushers traveled to Willow for the restart yesterday, with the racers now out on the course proper. The leaders have currently arrived at Finger Lake, which sits at the 123 mile (197 km) mark, indicating just how fast the top sleds are currently moving.

This year's race is shrouded in controversy as the sport wrestles with its first doping controversy. Last fall, it was revealed that four-time champion Dallas Seavey had four of his dogs test positive for a banned substance, although he wasn't banned from racing as there as no evidence that Seavey himself had injected the dogs. The dogs were found to have traces of tramadol – an opioid painkiller – in their system.

The Iditarod's governing body has made a change to the rules, now holding musher's responsible for the dogs on their team and what they have in their system. In protest to how the entire situation was handled, Seavey has chosen to skip this year's event, putting the Iditarod's rising star on the sideline. Instead, he'll race in another event in Norway instead.

That isn't the only shadow being cast over the 2018 Iditarod. As usual, there have also been accusations of cruelty to the dogs, with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals making claims against Seavey as well. Investigations found no evidence to support those claims however, but there will always be questions regarding the sport amongst some animal lovers.

As if that wasn't enough, long-time sponsor Wells Fargo has ended its relationship with the Iditarod as well. Officials say they believe animal rights groups used false information to influence the decision by the major bank which caused it to withdraw support. All of this leaves the future of the Iditarod somewhat in doubt, even as the 2018 race truly gets underway.

With Dallas Seavey out of the race, that leaves his father Mitch as the leading candidate to win the event again. But, there will be some strong contenders to watch including Aliy Zirkle, Ray Redington, Wade Marrs, and Nicolas Petit. With the race barely underway, the current leader is Linwood Fiedler, although there are at least 7 or 8 more days of racing until a winner is actually crowned.

We'll be keeping an eye on the race as it unfolds int he days ahead. As usual, it should be an interesting one to keep track of, as just about anything can – and does – happen.

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Video: How Dog Sledding Helped This Photographer Get Her Groove Back

If you're looking for an inspirational story heading into the long holiday weekend, this one just might suffice. In this video, we travel to Alaska, where photographer Katie Orlinsky is on assignment to document Kristen Knight Pace as she prepares to race in her first Iditarod sled dog race. Along the way, Orlinsky learns a thing or two about herself and her own limits as both a photographer and a person.

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Video: Official Trailer for "Crisp" - A Film About the Iditarod Trail Invitational

The Iditarod Trail Invitational is an epic test of endurance. For those not familiar with the event, it is a 1000-mile long bike race through the wilds of Alaska that takes place each March at the same time as the Iditarod sled dog race. This video is a preview for a new film called Crisp that follows riders Ausilia Vistarini and Sebastian Favaro as they compete in this unique, one of a kind, and incredibly demanding event.

Crisp - Official Trailer from Explore MediaLab on Vimeo.

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Iditarod 2015: Podium Positions Set as Race Continues Across Alaska

I wanted to post one last update on the 2015 Iditarod sled dog race before moving on for another year. While the winner of the race has been crowned, and all of the podium positions are now set, there are still a number of mushers and their teams of dogs still out on the course. Some won't reach the finish line for several days yet, and conditions out on the trail remain very cold. "The Last Great Race" doesn't end when the first person crosses the finish line, and for those still racing it is a test of their skill and endurance. 

Yesterday morning Dallas Seavey claimed his third victory in the last four years, with his only loss coming in 2013 when his father Mitch won instead. The Seavey Iditarod dynasty is in full force this year once again, as yesterday Mitch finished second, reaching Nome nearly an hour and a half ahead of third place finisher Aaron Burmeister. Two ladies battled for fourth and fifth spots over the final couple of days, with Jessie Royer crossing the finish line almost three hours ahead of Aliy Zirkle. Since then, another 12 racers have arrived in Nome, leaving 51 teams to still arrive at the finish. 10 others who started in Anchorage have scratched along the way. 

At the moment, Cindy Abbott is running in last place out of the checkpoint at Kaltag. That leaves her with roughly 346 miles (556 km) yet to go before she is done. If she does manage to make it to Nome, she'll receive the traditional red lantern that goes to the final finisher. This is a badge of honor for having the strength and determination to see the race through to the end, no matter where you finish. 

As for the Seaveys, they're enjoying a much deserved and needed rest after a long race. But no doubt they're already thinking about next year, when they'll probably be battling it out at the top of the leaderboard once again. For Dallas, the sky is the limit in terms of the number of potential wins he could have for his career. The current record is five held by Rick Swenson, but surpassing that total now seems like a real possibility for a man who just turned 28 years old. 

For all of the talk about how this year's Iditarod was going to be easier and faster than year's past due to much of the course taking place on frozen rivers, it turned out to be just as difficult as ever. In order to finish – let alone win – this event, the mushers need to be highly focused, physically fit, and mentally prepared for the challenges of the trail. They also have to be in sync with their dogs, knowing when to let them run, and when it is time to rest. A 1000-mile (1600 km) dog sled race through the Alaskan backcountry is serious business, which is why this truly one of the most spectacular competitive events on the planet.

Congratulations once again to everyone who has already finished in Nome, and good luck to all of the other racers still out on the course.

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Dallas Seavey Wins 2015 Iditarod

Dallas Seavey has claimed victory in the 2015 Iditarod sled dog race. The 28-year old defending-champ has become the first musher to reach Nome, arriving early this morning. He finishes the 979 mile (1575 km) race with a total time of 8 days, 18 hours, 13 minutes and 6 seconds. He also crushed the competition, claiming his second straight win in "The Last Great Race" and his third victory overall. 

In the latter stages of the race it became clear that Dallas had the strongest team of dogs out on the course. As his closest competitors slowed down as the neared the later checkpoints along the route, Seavey only seemed to get stronger. Over the last few stages he was breaking trail on fresh snow, but only widened his lead over those who were chasing him. In the ends, he crossed the finish line well ahead of the next closest musher.

As the race continues today, the battle will now be for second place. Dallas' father Mitch is currently holding that position, having left the White Mountain checkpoint just 34 minutes ahead of third place musher Aaron Burmeister. Jessie Royer and Aliy Zirkle are also out of White Mountain, and are currently holding down the fourth and fifth spots respectively. Unless something radical changes while they race today, that is likely to be their order of finish. 

For Dallas Seavey winning another Idiatrod puts him in rare company. Even his dad has just two wins in the race. Winning three times before the age of 30 puts Dallas in a position to set the bar very high for his career, perhaps even surpassing the record five victories of Rick Swenson. For claiming victory this morning, he was handed a check for $70,000 and the keys to a new pick-up truck as well. Not a bad prize for a little more than a week's work. 

While the winner of the race has been crowned, there is still a lot of racing to be done in this year's event. The next group of mushers will continue to trickle across the finish line throughout the day, but it will take several days for the race to wrap up, with competitors likely arriving well into the weekend. The final person to cross the finish line will receive the traditional red lantern that comes along with holding that position. 

Congratulations to Dallas on another impressive win, and good luck to all of the mushers still out on the course. Get home safely. 

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Iditarod 2015: Dallas Seavey Takes Lead Out of Elim

The lead mushers are moving into the homestretch in the 2015 Iditarod, and there is a very familiar name at the top of the leaderboard at the moment. Yesterday, defending champion Dallas Seavey moved out in front and is now the clear favorite to finish first in Nome. But the race isn't over just yet, and the two-time winner will face stiff competition on the final legs to the finish line.

As of this writing, Dallas it the only musher out of the checkpoint at Elim, which is situated 123 miles (198 km) from the finish. He set off just 15 minutes before second place musher Aaron Burmeister arrived at that point. The only other competitors to reach Elim at this point are Dalla's dad – and 2013 champ – Mitch Seavey, and Jessie Royer who is now holding down the fourth position. Three-time runner-up Aliy Zirkle is in fifth place out of Koyuk, but is bearing down on the frontier town as well.

The winner of the race is expected to arrive in Nome sometime early Wednesday. Right now, the anticipation is building that the younger Seavey could claim his third victory in four years, although there is still a lot of racing to be done. Last year, four-time champ Jeff King looked like a lock to claim his fifth title, but just 25 miles (40 km) from the finish he was caught in a blizzard, got lost, and ultimately was forced to scratch. That opened the door for Dallas to nab his second title, but it is a good reminder that the race isn't over until the mushers and their dogs reach the finish.

Weather conditions on the trail remain very cold, but there is more snow in the latter stages of the race than there was at the beginning. That will help the teams run a bit faster, and seems to be favoring Dallas at the moment. He is currently posting the highest speeds of any of the top racers at the moment, which will make catching him all the more difficult.

It now appears that we should know the winner of the race by this time tomorrow. I'll post the news as soon as he or she crosses the finish line.

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Iditarod 2015: Burmeister Leads, Seaveys in Pursuit

It was an interesting weekend in Alaska, where the 2015 Iditarod sled dog race continues to play out with the top mushers battling one another at the top of the leaderboard. As they begin to take the turn towards Nome, all of the contenders have now completed their mandatory 8- and 24-hour rest periods, freeing them up to race towards the finish line in what is shaping up to be another interesting battle.

As of this writing, Aaron Burmeister leads the pack as the first musher in and out of the Shaktoolik checkpoint. He holds an hour and a half lead on Dallas Seavey, who has also passed through that village, and is in hot pursuit. At this point of the race, Seavey's team is running much faster than Burmeister, but with 220 miles yet to go, it is still anyone's race.

Mitch Seavey is currently running in third place out of Unalakleet, with Aliy Zirkle just 18 minutes back. Jessie Royer is holding down the fifth spot out on the trail, while four-time champ Jeff King is running in seventh place overall, but has banked up a bit more rest time at the moment.

As the teams have traveled west and north, the temperatures have gotten much colder. In fact, they are bitterly cold at the moment, which is a reminder that this race is still held in Alaska during the winter. Yesterday morning the mercury hovered around -30ºF (-34ºC), although the winds were mercifully light. Hard packed snow on the trails has made conditions better than they were at the start of the event, when the race was forced north to Fairbanks due to a lack of snow on the traditional Iditarod route.

With more than 200 miles to go before the winner reaches Nome, the race is truly still up for grabs. With so many good mushers lurking near the top, it'll come down to whomever has the best strategy for resting and racing heading into the final stages of the race, and who has the fastest dogs. This could be the year that Zirkle ends her frustrations after finishing second to both Mitch and Dallas Seavey each of the past three years. Then again, either one of those two men could bring the title back home again this year. But don't count Burmeister out just yet. The 15-year veteran is racing well, and he could stave off the competition to claim his first title as well.

It is now looking like the first mushers could reach Nome as early as Wednesday. We'll just have to watch the weather and trail conditions to see how everything plays out over the next couple of days. With so many contenders within striking distance of one another, it should certainly be interesting to see how this all plays out.

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Iditarod 2015: Burmeister Atop Leaderboard, But Contenders Plan Longterm Strategy

It has been an interesting 24-hours in the 2015 Iditarod, where several of the top mushers are clearly making tactical moves at this stage of the race in order to be ready for the final push to Nome sometime next week. Several of the main contenders arrived at the Galena checkpoint yesterday, where they have been taking their mandatory rest stops. As a result, the leaderboard has been scrambled some, with one of the top contenders now in prime position to take the lead heading towards the halfway point of the race.

As of this writing, Aaron Burmeister is the leader out into the Huslia checkpoint. Currently running in second place is defending champion Dallas Seavey, who arrived about two hours behind Burmeister, although Seavey has already taken his mandatory 8-hour rest, while Burmeister has yet to stop. The only other musher to reach Huslia at this point is Thomas Warner, who is an additional hour and a half behind. Chasing the leaders are Martin Buser and Hugh Neff, both out of Galena and running in fourth and fifth places respectively.

Five-time champ Jeff King was leading the race into Galena yesterday, but he has now slipped to 10th place overall as he appears to be taking his mandatory 24-hour break. With his 8-hour rest already out of the way, he seems poised to make the run all the way to Nome. With 583 miles (938 km) yet to go, that is a bold strategy to pull at this stage of the race, but it could pay off in the long run.

Other fan favorites on the leaderboard include DeeDee Jonrow holding down the 8th spot into Galena, as well as Aliy Zirkle, who has come up just short in the last three races, finishing second each time to a member of the Seveay family. She's currently in 11th place, and resting in Galena too, although she'll no doubt make a move in the days ahead. 2013 champ Mitch Seavey has already taken his 24-hour rest as well, and seems ready to improve on his current standing of 42nd place overall too. Once he returns to the trail out of the Galena checkpoint, expect him to start chasing his son.

At this point of the race, it appears that just about anyone could still win. There is a lot of racing yet to come, and with much of the route taking place on frozen rivers, just about anything can happen in the days ahead. After the race was diverted further north due to a lack of snow, the route is now turning towards a more traditional path that is known to the mushers. This will help them plot out their strategies more fully, and to know what to expect on the trail ahead.

It is hard to say exactly when the first teams will start to arrive in Nome, but around Wednesday of next week seems like a good bet. The weekend will likely sort out some of the contenders, and give us an idea of who will be battling for the win. Stay tuned for updates from The Last Great Race.

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Iditarod 2015: Jeff King Leads at Galena, Challengers Lurk

There are once again some very familiar names lurking on the leaderboard at the 2015 Iditarod sled dog race currently underway in Alaska. The top mushers have now completed more than 350 miles (563 km) of the course, and have passed through the checkpoint in Ruby as they steam on towards the finish line in Nome. There is still a long way to go until someone reaches that point however, and the race has not been an easy one thus far. But it is shaping up to be another classic that will be decided on strategy and positioning in the days ahead.

Iditarod legend Jeff King is currently the leader, and the only musher to have passed through the Galena checkpoint. He is being chased by Ally Zirkle, who is in second place out of Ruby. Aaron Burmeister is holding down the third spot, with former champ Martin Buser currently in fourth and Jessie Royer in fifth. Defending champ Dallas Seavey is running 7th overall, and seems poised to make a move as the race develops.

Of that group, King, Buser, and Seavey are the only ones to have already taken their mandatory 8 hour rest period, which means that Zirkle, Burmeister, and the rest may be ahead on the leaderboard, but they will give up time when they stop for their eventual rest. All of the mushers are also required to make a mandatory 24-hour stop, but that won't come until a bit later in the race. Those rest periods are part of the strategy that they'll employ as they make their way toward the home stretch in a few days time.

Elsewhere on the course, four-time champ Lance Mackey is hinting that this could be his final Iditarod. Mackey has been having issues with his hands getting very cold, despite wearing very warm gloves. This is causing him some pain and discomfort, and has forced him to take his mandatory 24-hour rest in Tanana, days before his competition will do the same. Lance suffered similar issues in last month's Yukon Quest, and it could be an indication that his long-distance racing days are coming to an end. Mackey has had to deal with a number of ailments over the years, not the least of which was surviving cancer to continue racing, but it seems that this time his body is no longer cooperating with him, and this could be the last ride for one of the sport's great champions.

Meanwhile, at the front of the race, the teams continue to press on. A lack of snow on the trail has forced them to race on frozen riverbeds for much of the way thus far, but that doesn't seem to have had much of an impact on the proceedings thus far. The leading mushers are comfortable racing on any surface, and while they would like to see more snow, they're managing to cover the distances just fine so far.

It will be likely be the middle of next week before we know who the 2015 Iditarod champ will be. There is a lot of racing yet to go, and the leaderboard will likely be scrambled several times before the race is done. I'll post regular updates on the standings as the teams continue on to Nome.

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Iditarod 2015: Snow Arrives Just in Time!

The 2015 Iditarod got underway in Anchorage, Alaska over the weekend with 78 mushers setting off from downtown as part of the ceremonial start to the biggest sled dog race in the entire world. But if you've been following the events leading up to the start of the competition you probably already know that the lack of snow along the Iditarod Trail has forced race organizers to make some dramatic changes to the route. The actual restart of the race will take place today in Fairbanks, which is 225 miles (362 km) further north than the Iditarod traditionally runs. The move seems to be paying off however, as some much needed snow arrived in a timely fashion over the weekend.

About 4 inches (10 cm) of snow fell along the Iditarod Trail on Sunday, bring a blanket of fresh powder that the dogs and mushers are sure to appreciate. The route that will be taken to Nome this year incorporates a lot of frozen rivers, which is very different to run on than snow, and could create some real challenges for the teams. At this point, any amount of snow will probably make them feel a bit better as they launch the 1000 mile (1600 km) journey that is expected to take roughly nine days to complete.

The mushers will see a staggered restart beginning at 10 AM local time today. That's when the dog teams will be turned lose at last, and the true race will begin. Spectators are expected to line the route out of Fairbanks, cheering their favorite teams on. The route will give them ample opportunity to do just that, with the first mile and a half (2.4 km) being run on city streets before turning onto a frozen river leading out of town. After that, most fans of the race will follow along on the official website, where a constantly changing leaderboard will update us to the standings. Expect perennial favorites like Mitch and Dallas Seavey, and Jeff King to make a move early to separate themselves from the pack.


This isn't the first time the race has been run between Fairbanks and Nome. Back in 2003 similar weather conditions forced the Iditarod to take this unique route, with a surprise victory earning the win. Norwegian musher Robert Sorlie claimed the top spot in that race, and his efforts are a good reminder that anyone can win this race, particularly when it is being run on mostly unknown ground. Perhaps this route will be the great equalizer, and a new contender will arise to challenge the established names.

Over the next couple of weeks we'll be watching the race closely, as it is always a source for high drama. Last year's dramatic finish is the perfect example of this as it appeared that Jeff King would be assured of another win just 25 miles (40 km) from the finish line. But a surprise blizzard blew him off course, causing him to be disoriented and lose his way. That opened the door for Dallas Seavey to claim the win, his second in three years.

Will something that dramatic happen again? Who knows! That's why they call this "The Last Great Race."

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The 2015 Iditarod Gets Underway Tomorrow!

One of my favorite events of the year will kickoff tomorrow in Anchorage, Alaska, where the ceremonial start of the 2015 Iditarod sled dog race will take place. This year, 78 mushers will take to the line to compete in the "Last Great Race," a 1000-mile (1600 km) endurance run that will culminate at the finish line in Nome.

The streets of Anchorage will be lined with well wishers as the racers set out from downtown and head toward Campbell Airstrip just 11 miles (17 km) out of town. From there they'll head to the secondary starting point in Fairbanks where they'll return to the trail on Monday. The route has been moved about 225 miles (360 km) north to help make up for the lack of snow on the traditional route. Unlike some parts of the U.S., Alaska has not been covered in excess snow this winter, and it will now have an impact on the state's greatest sporting event. In fact, Anchorage typically sees 60 inches  (150 cm) of powder by now, but has only seen 20 inches (50 cm) so far.

This has caused race organizers to scramble to find an alternate route that will help keep the race moving forward. The path they have chosen will actually spend more than half of its time out on ice rather than snow, which should make for a vastly different race than ones we've seen in recent years. In fact, the ice could actually level the playing field, allowing just about anyone to have a shot at the win.

The field is a diverse one to say the least. It includes six former champions with the likes of Mitch and Dallas Seavey returning, as well as Jeff King, Lance Mackey, and a host of other very experienced and talented mushers. Iditarod veteran Brent Sass will be looking to capitalize on the momentum he received by winning the Yukon Quest last month as well.  There are also 20 rookies in the field too, and they are likely to get a baptism by fire with this challenging new course.

It is expected that it will take this year's winner about 10 days to reach Nome. Over the course of the next couple of weeks I will be keeping a close eye on the proceedings and keep readers up-to-date as things unfold. If last year taught us anything it is that this race is always full of surprises, and I suspect there will be some amazing stories this time out too.

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Video: Training For One Of The Hardest Races In The World - The Iditarod Trail Invitational

The Iditarod Trail Invitational is quite possibly the hardest race in the world. It features athletes who run, ski, and mountain bike along the same 1000-mile (1600 km) long trail that the famous sled dog race follows on its way from Anchorage to Nome. The IDI takes place in the dead of winter as well, which adds just another challenge to this tough ultra-endurance event. Many try to complete it each year, few succeed.

Just how do you train for such an event? Check out the video below, which comes our way via EpicTV, and marks the start of a new series entitled Sport & Survival.

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Iditarod 2014: Dallas Seavey Wins In Wild Finish!

The 2014 Iditarod Tail Sled Dog Race came crowned a new champion last night when Dallas Seavey crossed the finish line in Nome 11:04 PM local time. This is the second championship for Seavey, who became the youngest person ever to win the race back in 2012. He finished just two minutes ahead of Aliy Zirkle, who has now ended the race in second place three years in a row.

Seavey's win seemed highly improbable heading into the final stages of the race. He was more than three hours behind Zirkle and four-time champ Jeff King out of the checkpoint at Elim. But high winds forced King to scratch on the way into Safety, the final CP before the finish in Nome. It was during that stage that Zirkle actually took the lead and seemed poised to finally claim victory. But Seavey blasted through Safety while she rested her team, and continued on to victory in Nome. He managed to hold off Zirkle's late charge with just seven dogs remaining on his team, while Aliy pursued him with ten.

The second place finish only adds to Zirkle's frustration with coming up just short in the race. Not only did she lose to Dallas in 2012, she finished second to his father Mitch last year as well. No matter the outcome though, Aliy has established herself as one of the top mushers in the Iditarod, and it seems like only a matter of time before she breaks through and claims a win of her own.

As of this writing, Dallas and Aliy are the only two mushers into Nome. Currently in third place is Mitch Seavey, who is out of Safety and on his way to the finish line himself. He holds a comfortable lead over Joar Leifseth Ulsom and Sonny Lindner, who are running in fourth and fifth place
respectively.

The race won't end just because a winner is crowned. There are still 49 other mushers out on the course, and most will still try to make it to Nome if they can. Finishing this 1000-mile long race is an accomplishment in and of itself, and the racers take great pride in doing just that. Most will trickle across the finish line over the next day or two, but for some there are still hundreds of miles to go. In the true spirit of Alaska, the won't give up until they've completed the trail.

Congratulations to Dallas Seavey on the big win and claiming his second Iditarod championship. This young man will probably be winning a few more titles before his career is done.

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Video: Action Cam Footage From The Iditarod

While we're on the subject of the Iditarod, have you ever wondered what it feels like to be a musher in the "Last Great Race?" If so, this video is definitely for you. It was shot on an action cam worn by Jeff King in one of the early stages of event near Rainy Pass. Considering the fact that King is a four-time Iditarod champ, and a threat to win again this year, you can pick up some interesting tidbits from one of the best mushers to ever compete in the race. It is also just very cool to see the dogs run down the trail, which they are doing now on the final push to Nome.

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Iditarod 2014: Jeff King Leads Out Of Elim, Zirkle In Pursuit

The 2014 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race continues today, with the lead mushers now turning towards the finish line in Nome. That point is still a ways off just yet, but the end is definitely in sight for those running at the front. This weekend saw a number of changes at the top of the leader board, but the race has sorted itself out now and we have a clear idea of who the contenders will be heading into the final day. There are some familiar names out in front at the moment, and with just three checkpoints left to clear, it looks like it could be another epic finish.

As of this writing, four-time Iditarod champ Jeff King leads the race by 8 minutes over Aliy Zirkle. Both mushers have left the CP in Elim and are now making their way towards White Mountain, which falls at the 898 mile (1445 km) mark. After that, the only the checkpoint in Safety remains between them and the finish line in Nome.

The only other musher out of Elim at the moment is Dallas Seavey, the 2012 champ. He put in a strong showing over the weekend to move into third place, about 2 hours behind King and Zirkle. Martin Buser and defending champ Mitch Savey are currently in fourth and fifth place respectively. Both men are into Elim, but haven't checked out from that point at this time. The only other racer to reach that point is Sonny Lidner, who is currently running in sixth place.

All of the remaining mushers in this year's race have now completed their mandatory 24-hour and 8-hour rests. That leaves them free and clear to run the rest of the way to Nome, using whatever strategy works best for them. King is one of the most experienced mushers in the field and consistently finishes in the top ten each year, while Zirkle has been a runner-up the past two races. And don't count Dallas Seavey out just yet. He's running faster than either of the two front runners at the moment, although he has just 8 dogs left on his team, which could come back to haunt him on the stretch run.

Either way, we should have a new Iditarod champ crowned sometime tomorrow. With more than a hundred miles left to be run, there is still plenty of time for drama to develop. We'll soon see if Zirkle can finally break through and claim victory, or if she'll have to settle for another second place finish behind one of the true legends of the sport.

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Iditarod 2014: Zirkle Leads, Buser Lurks In Galena

As we head into the weekend, I wanted to share one more quick update on the 2014 Iditarod, which is unfolding at this very moment in Alaska. There has been plenty of drama and strategy in the "Last Great Race" already this year, but with several more days of racing to go, we're far from finished just yet.

As of this writing, Aliy Zirkle leads the race as the first musher into the Galena checkpoint, which falls at the 545 mile mark. Also into Galena is Martin Buser, who arrived 2 hours and 43 minutes behind Zirkle. But Buser, who is a four-time Iditarod champ, has a big advantage over the leader at the moment. He has already completed both his mandatory 24-hour rest break and 8-hour break as well, which means he is free to run all the way to Nome if possible. Whether or not he can grab the lead, and hold onto it all the way to the finish line remains to be seen. At this point, there is still 430 miles to go, and a lot can happen.

Currently running in third place is Aaron Burmeister, with Robert Sorlie and Nicolas Petit in fourth and fifth respectively. Sorlie and Petit have also completed both of their mandatory rest periods however, so they have a leg up on Burmeister. All three men are out of the Ruby checkpoint and on the trail to Galena.

Former champs Mitch Seavey and Jeff King are both out of Ruby as well. They are running in 7th and 8th place respectively.

It should be an interesting weekend out on the trail. There is still a lot of jockeying for position and strategies have yet to unfold. For instance, Buser's gambit to take his rest periods early may lead to a fresher team at this point of the race, but will they grow more tired on the stretch run for Nome? Will he still have to balance in some longer rest periods to keep a steady pace? Can Zirkle finally break through and win the race? Lots of questions yet to be answered. We'll find the answers early next week!

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