Iditarod Start 2007

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Racing Underway

Here are some shots of the Iditarod Race this morning. Today's start is merely ceremonial and is done downtown. As a matter of fact it hasn't snowed here in a while so they had to bring in snow to cover the streets for the ceremonial start. The re-start (actual race start) takes place tomorrow just outside of town but today's what gets people excited. I've put in a trail map so you can how far they have to go...tough breed.

I've also included a low-res video (click on filmstrip on the left 'Racing Underway") of a musher starting off for Nome.

All of the mushers and their sled dogs come down here. The whole thing takes a couple of hours so we got some pictures around town. It's only -3 today so we were outside for almost 3 hours. It's amazing what you can get used to! Not quite balmy but definitely tolerable.

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Photos

Iditarod Map
Here's the race map for the Iditarod. Understand that it's incredibly cold out there, especially with the windchill and running the dogs at night!

Starting Line
My "surprised chic" look

Chains Anyone
Getting the harnesses and chains ready for the dog team

Closeup
Getting up close and personal with Balto

Puppies
Here are a few of the dogs on a team. They are much scrawnier and lean than you would think, but boy can they run.

Musher 19
Here's a musher getting prepped. You can see the attention these guys get. They are real celebrities up here...and they deserve it.

They're off and running
Here the first musher gets his team off