Being in Nome for the finish of the Iditarod is amazing. It’s an immense change for the dogs and drivers. Since leaving Willow eight or more days ago, they’ve really been away from all the hustle and bustle of civilization. Except for checkpoints, they’ve been alone with their dogs in remote Alaska.  Following the two-minute countdown at the start, time turned into tasks accomplished. It’s time to run, time to snack, time to feed, time to rest, time to boot, time to go, time for the long layover, time for resting on the Yukon, time to leave White Mountain. Coming under the arch redirects the generalized concept of time to specifics. Be here at 2:00 in the afternoon. The dogs fly home at 8:00 in the evening. The banquet is at 4:00 on Sunday afternoon.

In the mean time, spectators are glued to the times shown by the tracker as to when the mushers arrived in White Mountain, when they leave White Mountain, traveling speed, time into Safety, and time out of Safety. Approximately three hours later, time will bring them to Front Street where they’ll be announced by the fire siren. It may be any time of the day or night. It’s an exciting time but don’t forget to look for cars when it’s time to cross the street.

Born to Run,

Sanka