Leaders blow through McGrath checkpoint in Iditarod 51 as race starts heating up

MCGRATH, Alaska (KTUU) – Three-hundred and eleven miles into this yr’s version of the Iditarod, the race itself is absolutely stating to select up, as mushers rigorously select when to relaxation and when to run.

The entrance of the pack arriving to the McGrath checkpoint was a bit hectic, as groups selected one after the other whether or not to remain or go, with the highest few groups shortly shifting by way of the checkpoint and on to Takotna.

Veteran Ryan Redington was the primary to the McGrath checkpoint Tuesday and gained the Alaska Air Transit Spirit of Iditarod Award, which comes with handmade beaver mittens created by a resident of McGrath.

Not far behind Redington was fellow veteran Jessie Holmes, who’s seeking to enhance on his third- place end. Holmes appeared to have an analogous plan to Redington: fly by way of the checkpoint, and take an extended relaxation later.

The Kusko Child Richie Diehl was subsequent, and – after signing a bunch of autographs and taking footage with followers – signed his vet ebook and took off as properly.

Certainly one of two Iditarod champions within the race, Brent Sass, who took his first Iditarod win final yr, additionally blew by way of McGrath. Whereas it isn’t irregular to see him run by way of checkpoints, as that’s often his technique, he and his canine had been on the chase leaving McGrath, and he appeared to hustle out as shortly as he may.

Longtime Iditarod Race Marshal Mark Nordman additionally spoke from McGrath about how he feels the race goes thus far. He mentioned issues could also be going too easily for consolation, on condition that the path is stuffed with twists and turns.

“It’s sort of scary,” he laughed.

Nordman mentioned that he had been somewhat bit involved about among the climate circumstances forecasted up the path, however he mentioned his path breakers are up there, and he isn’t feeling anxious at this level.

As increasingly groups make it to McGrath, the true methods for this yr’s Iditarod will begin to present, as mushers and their canine race up the Yukon earlier than hitting the coast and hopefully crossing below the Burled Arch in Nome.

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