Day One: 2012 Iditarod

The ceremonial start in Anchorage took place yesterday as mushers, sponsors and dogs were celebrated by thousands of people around the world.   The celebration is an amazing spectacle as it highlights the amazing amount of training, work and devotion to the sport of mushing.  It's an opportunity to see old friends, make new ones and bask in the warmth of the mushing community around the globe.  It's truly special.

Mushers run only 11 miles on Saturday.  Their run times are not counted toward their overall time to complete the trail.  Time is officially kept when each musher begins the race again in Willow, AK.  This restart begins today at 2PM AKST.  The mushers will begin the race in the same order as the ceremonial start.  Matt is wearing bib #52 so he will restart at approximately 3:40 PM AKST. 

This leg of the race begins in WIllow, AK and runs 42 miles to Yentna Station.  Yentna is the first checkpoint off the road system or, as it's called in AK, in the bush.  This roadhouse is owned and operated by the Gabrazayk family.  (Note: When I was in AK during the summer of 1998, we stayed at this roadhouse for 3 days of King Salmon fishing.  Awesome doesn't begin to describe the experience)  Mushers will check in, feed dogs and rest while vets check all dogs to ensure health.  (Note:  Vets will check all dogs at each checkpoint along the trail.  Dogs have the utmost care throughout the race)

A brief trail description for this leg:*

"The trail begins on Willow Lake and winds through typical northern forests, consisting of alternating birch woods and spruce swamps. Most of the trail is flat to gently rolling hills. Most of the hills are around the Susitna River. The Yentna Station Checkpoint is located at the confluence of the Susitna and Yentna Rivers."

*by Donald Bowers, Jr.

Most mushers will run this section in roughly 5-6 hours. 

The time for pictures, greetings and training is over.  There is only one thing left to do...

Run.

GO MATT GO!