First Saturday in March and it’s time for Iditarod.  The street crews have worked all night spreading the snow stock piled in Anchorage and the Fairbanks snow delivered by the Alaska Railroad.  Mother Nature contributed about two inches of light and fluffy snow on Friday afternoon to make the whole city look a little like winter.  At race time on Saturday the temperature was just below freezing with only a light breeze.  The sun shone through light clouds.  It was nearly a perfect day for the Ceremonial Start of Iditarod XLIV.

Ultimate Iditarider, Susan Estes cuts the Ribbon

The colors were presented, the National Anthem and Alaska Flag were sung and the ribbon was cut by Susan Estes.  Honorary musher Joanne Potts lead all mushers on the 3 mile Ceremonial run.  She was escorted by Jr. iditarod Champion, Kevin Harper.

Honorary Musher, Joanne Potts

There were thousands of people lining the streets to see the amazing canine athletes and the mushers.  The route follows 4th Avenue then makes a right hand turn onto Cordova.  That corner is one of the most popular viewing locations.  After visiting with many of the mushers, I made the trek to the corner and by the time Martin Koenig wearing bib #86 turned the corner, I’d captured 1,052 images.  Here’s a photo essay of today’s ceremonial start from the corner of 4th and Cofdova. 

Monica Zappa rounds the corner

Lisbet Norris and Monica Zappa have traveled together on the Iditarod trail in recent trips to Nome.  Today as they started Iditarod XLIV, they both new a common disappointment – Leaders they have depended on in past years are staying home to mend injuries.  For Monica it’s Dweezil, for Lisbet it’s Ruby.  While they both have other talented leaders to fill the spot, It’s that special friend they’ll miss.

Aliy Zirkle drew bib #13.  Just wondering if it might be lucky 13 for Aliy who is the only person to have finished in 2nd place for three consecutive years 2012-2014).  Zirkle completed the 2015 iditarod in 5th place.

Aliy “Lucky 13” Zirkle

Teacher on the Trail, Laura Wright rode with Jason Campeau.  Laura Is from Austin, Texas.  She’ll travel the trail via bush plane with the Iditarod Air Force visiting the checkpoints with schools.  While most schools are on Spring break during Iditarod, she’ll have the opportunity to connect with teachers an students in an informal manner.

Iditarider Laura Wright, Iditarod Teacher on the Trail ™

Rob Cook will make it two consecutive distance doubles in 2016.  Cook completed both the Yukon Quest and Iditarod in 2015, becoming the first all Siberian team to do so and he’s doing it again in 2016.  Good luck to Rob and his handsome Siberians.

Rob Cook’s Distance Double Siberians

Trent Herbst teaches 4th grade in Ketchum, Idaho at the community school.  If you were in his class, you’d have real life math and science applications in preparing Trent for the trail.  Over the years, they’ve built his sled, snowshoes, packed his drop bags, planned his menu, measured dog food, counted booties and much more.  Trent run the puppy team from Nature’s Kennel for Ed Stielstra.

Puppy team run by Trent Herbst

Lars Monson wearing bib 68, is one of the Norwegian participating in Iditarod this year.  He’s raced the thousand mile equivalents of Iditarod in Norway.  Lars is an adventurer who set his sights on the Iditarod after his friend Robert Sorlie participated in the race.  The front end of Lars’ team has beautiful blue eyes.

Monson’s Blue Eyed Beauties

John Baker from Kotzebue asked Alaska Governor Bill Walker to ride his tag sled for Iditarod 2016.  Baker and the Governor are partnering in support of an initiative called Alaskans Changing Together.

Gov. Bill Walker on John Baker’s tag sled

Redington brothers Ray Jr., Ryan and Robert are all making the trip to Nome.  Robert, the youngest is an Iditarod rookie who’s said, I’ve always had the feeling I’d run Iditarod.  His grandfather and race founder, Joe Redington Sr., might have said something similar about his three grandsons.

Robert Redington on his rookie run to Nome

Tim Pappas, running a puppy team from Martin Buser’s Happy Trails Kennel is on his rookie run to Nome.  Over the years, the corner at 4th and Cordova has been the site of more than one Iditarod spill but not for Tim’s Iditarider.  They made the corner on one runner but the key word is “made the corner.”

A one runner turn for Tim Pappas

The Restart (real start) takes place in Willow on Sunday afternoon beginning at 2:00.  God Speed to all the mushers as they take to the trail.