It’s a 52 mile run from Fairbanks to Nenana. Mushers departed from Pike’s Landing on the Chena River and very soon found themselves on the Tanana River. The trail follows the Tanana River to Nenana taking a few short cuts across islands and peninsulas. The mushers will have the option of staying in Nenana and camping on the river between the highway bridge and railroad bridge fairly close to the Ice Classic Tripod or checking in and going on thru to a quieter spot to camp.
As I’m about to hit publish for this story, Uncle Jason and Niece Brenda Mackey are leading the charge to the Nenana. They are within ten miles. The field is spread out over a twelve mile distance with the exception of Quince Mountain who is at the back of the pack and resting at mile 27.
The Insider Crew has put up a plethora of musher interviews. Everyone has had the opportunity to talk with Greg Heister and his crew while in Fairbanks preparing for the start. Guess I’d have to say that’s another advantage of a small filed, everyone gets interviewed.
Here are some fun things learned from the mushers. Ryan Redington reminded everyone of how cold it was for the Fairbanks start back in 2017. With temps at forty below zero, Redington had some serious frostbite on his face after the first night of the race. He even pulled out his phone and provided a picture!
Both Keaton Loebrich and Michelle Phillips had vehicle trouble prior to this race. Phillips was heading toward Tok from her home in Canada when her vehicle and dog trailer went into the ditch. Humans and dogs were fine put the trailer needed a new leaf spring and axle which the tow truck driver was able to take care of. Loebrich was hardly out of the driveway this morning when his truck stalled. The mushing community is a tightly knit group, always ready and willing to help. Keaton called a mushing neighbor and soon was back on the road to the start in her dog truck. Hope the trail is kinder to Michelle and Keaton than the roadways were 
Now for a profound piece of wisdom provided by Anna Berington. Anna was talking about all the river miles in her Insider interview. She said, “Some mushers think the river is going to be boring and boring suggests that that’s a waste of time. There’s nothing about Iditarod that’s a waste of time. It’s a challenge for everyone. So if you’re in the mindset of accepting it, then it’s a new fun way to experience Iditarod.”
So as we wait for the teams, here’s some information about the village of Nenana. Nenana (nuh-NAN-uh) has a population of just over 400 residents. The community is located 55 road miles southwest of Fairbanks and 304 road miles from Anchorage on the George Parks Hwy. Phenom musher, 17 year old Emily Robinson, lives with her family in Nenana. Emily recently won her fourth and final Jr Iditarod.
Average temperatures in the village rise to between 65 and 70 degrees in the summer. The daily minimum temperature in the winter is well below zero. On average, Nenana receives 48.9 inches of snowfall each winter.
The cold weather and rivers have played a role in establishing Alaska’s greatest guessing game, the Nenana Ice Classic. Each year a tripod is set up on the river. Tickets are purchased and guesses are entered as to the exact minute the ice will break up and the tripod will move 100 feet. Literally, with the tripod reaching the end of its rope, a clock is tripped and that is the winning time. In 2024 the jackpot reached $210,155. The game was started in 1817 by railroad engineers.
Long ago, people of the region travelled to Tanana to trade with Russians – furs for western goods. When gold was discovered near Fairbanks in the early 1900’s a trading post went up in Nenana followed by a post office and other commercial endeavors. The construction of the railroad brought large numbers of workers to the area in 1915. The 700 foot steel bridge completed in 1923 was the finishing link connecting Fairbanks to Seward. In 1925 the diphtheria serum, desperately needed in Nome, was delivered to Nenana via railroad. Wild Bill Shannon secured the serum to his dog sled and carried it 52 miles to Tolovana and handed the precious bundle off to Edgar Kallands. The temperature was minus 65 degrees during Shannon’s run.
The population of Nenana is both non-Native and Athabascan. The majority of the residents participate in a subsistence activities. The Nenana Student Living Center, a boarding high school, welcomes students from around the state who earn their high school diploma while doing vocational studies.
Back in 2015 and 2017, early mushers arrived in about five hours from Fairbanks. Some went on through. Many middle to the back of the pack rested for 6 or 7 hours then departed. The village population expanded from mid-afternoon when mushers and their handlers arrived. It was short lived as all mushers were back on the trail heading to Manley by the wee hours of the morning. We’ll see what happens this year. Make sure your Insider subscription is up to date!
