Race from Anchorage to Nome with the Alaska Public Radio Network
Some cities — like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago — are racing their own version of the Iditarod and putting an urban spin on the traditional sled and dog team setup. They’re doing it in the name of charity… and fun. In Chicago, Ashley Gross brings us this report from the Chiditarod.
This story appears in this week’s edition of AK.
For mushers racing in the real Iditarod, it’s a little more than a fun, pre-spring pick-me-up; it’s a passion, one that takes grueling, hard work. And while many mushers say it can be a selfish pursuit, plenty of them are also racing for a charitable cause - like Bruce Linton, Cindy Gallea, Karen Ramstead and former racer Mike Williams. AK’s Jessica Cochran speaks with Mike Williams.
This story appears in this week’s edition of AK.
Warm temperatures slowed the leaders in the Iditarod as they came through Cripple and headed toward the Yukon River and Ruby overnight. Lance Mackey was out first, but without rest, at 9:05 p.m. last night. Then Hans Gatt, a couple of hours later. Jeff King left a half hour after midnight, then Rick Swenson blasted through, taking no rest in Cripple. Kjetil Backen decided to go out right behind him. Aaron Burmeister was out next. Mitch Seavey and Jessie Royer have completed their 24-hour layovers, and soon Paul Gebhart, DeeDee Jonrowe, Zack Steer and Martin Buser will be finished with theirs, and in the chase. Someone will be first into Ruby this morning, and KUAC’s Libby Casey is waiting for them.
Meanwhile, back in McGrath, APRN’s David Shurtleff chats with some of this year’s crop of Iditarod rookies. Over 20% of the mushers in this year’s Iditarod are running the race for the first time and most first-timers find themselves towards the middle of the pack.
Be sure to listen to the attached audio report for all the details.
On the Iditarod trail, DeeDee Jonrowe was the first into the Cripple checkpoint at 6:22 a.m. She was followed in rapid succession by Paul Gebhardt, 6:30 a.m.; Zack Steer, 6:36 a.m.; and Martin Buser, 6:40 a.m. along with Ed Iten at 7:20 a.m. and Ken Anderson at 7:42 a.m. As of late afternoon, the Iditarod report showed 10 mushers in Cripple. All appear to be taking their mandatory 24-hour layovers, perhaps reflecting a difficult trail between Ophir and Cripple.
Len Anderson, KSKA - Anchorage and Libby Casey, KUAC - Cripple
Iditarod trail reporter Libby Casey caught up with several mushers this year that are mushing with purposes bigger than winning, bigger than just competing.
In this interview, Lachlan Clarke discusses his purpose:
Clarke maintains a web site here.
Iditarod trail reporter Libby Casey caught up with several mushers this year that are mushing with purposes bigger than winning, bigger than just competing.
In this interview, Cindy Gallea (age 56) discusses her purpose:
Iditarod trail reporter Libby Casey caught up with several mushers this year that are mushing with purposes bigger than winning, bigger than just competing.
In this interview, Karen Ramstead discusses her purpose:
Ramstead maintains a web site for her kennels and sled dog racing here.
Iditarod trail reporter Libby Casey caught up with several mushers this year that are mushing with purposes bigger than winning, bigger than just competing.
In this interview, Bruce Linton discusses his purpose:
Linton also wrote an Iditarod 2007 diary at the DSWF site here.
It looks like a fast trail to Cripple. A pack of mushers led by Paul Gebhart took off for there yesterday afternoon. We’re not sure yet how that worked out for them. And now another group has taken off for Cripple from Takotna on what may be a better and faster trail. We’re talking about Kjetil Backen, 45 minutes ahead of Lance Mackey and Jeff King. They will pass Mitch Seavey and others, who can’t take off until later from Ophir.
Cripple is the halfway point, and the most remote point, on the trail. Reporting from there is fragmentary and often delayed. Things will become a lot clearer by the time teams reach Ruby and the Yukon River. The front pack that Gebhart led toward Cripple yesterday includes Hugh Neff, Zack Steer, DeeDee Jonrowe, Sylvia Willis, Martin Buser, Ed Iten, Ken Anderson, Rohn Buser and several others. In the past, some have gone all the way to Ruby before taking their 24 hour layover, which is mandatory, and can be a key element of strategy. Though there are other reasons some mushers lean towards Takotna.
Some took their twenty-four hour layovers in McGrath and headed down the trail toward the others in the middle of the night. They’ll roar through Takotna and Ophir, trying to catch up with the pack on the way to the Yukon river. They include Hans Gatt, William Kleedin, Gerry Willomitzer and five-time winner Rick Swenson.
TEAM COVERAGE:
Steve Heimel, APRN - Anchorage
Libby Casey, KUAC - Takotna
David Shurtleff, APRN - McGrath
Be sure to listen to the attached audio update for our full report.
Paul Gebhardt was the first musher out of the Ophir checkpoint this afternoon. He left at 12:52 p.m. and is now leading the Iditarod. Mitch Seavey is now in second place. But he was the first into Ophir at 10:00 a.m. this morning. He was followed into the checkpoint by Hugh Neff, Zach Steer, Ed Iten and Martin Buser. But it’s getting tricky to rely on the standings, as many mushers are taking their 24-hour layovers, including a handful at McGrath and Takotna.
David Shurtleff, APRN - McGrath